Alabama Heritage Places in Peril

Oaklawn Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile County

10/7/2019

The first burial in Oaklawn Cemetery dates from the 1870s. This cemetery is a significant place for the African American community of Mobile. Located in North Mobile, the burial ground is the final resting place for many. While the number of burials unknown, it is estimated that as many as 10,000 people are buried there. The cemetery contains burials of veterans from all branches of the military including, the Merchant Marines, from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars. Also buried there are Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star Recipients, as well as Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and others. There are also significant individuals that served their community in other ways.

Recently, the cemetery was listed to Alabama’s Historic Cemetery Register and received a marker associated with that listing. However, the cemetery continues to deteriorate and needs serious care. Currently, there is no support from the City of Mobile, it is entirely a volunteer effort. That effort needs technical and financial support. Places in Peril seeks to bring a level a statewide awareness, but also connect the volunteer effort with historic cemetery experts.

10 Comments

Sandra Reed

10/7/2020 01:23:46 pm

Looking for information that might help restore the old Sprott Alabama post office snd general store.

Daniel Berry link

8/28/2021 04:05:54 pm

This cemetery is a significant place for the African American community of Mobile. The first burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Thank you so much for sharing such a great information.

Sean Peterson link

8/28/2021 05:08:19 pm

The first burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. I really liked your informative post. This cemetery is a significant place for the African American community of Mobile.

Epdm Rubber Roofing Mobile Al link

1/4/2022 10:50:47 am

Without specifying the cemeteries involved, we found an ancestor that we believed to have been buried in one cemetery was actually buried elsewhere.

Patsy Stallworth link

3/14/2022 11:16:23 am

My name is patsystallworth,I am looking for some one to direct me to find my father in law and mother in law grave in the oaklawn cemetery in mobile,Ala.i can not pin point where it is located in the cemetery the grass is so high.please icontact with me.my number is 251-4871022 or 251-487-7119.email is patsystallworth@comcast.net or stallworthpatsy06@gmail.com

Chana Monday link

4/1/2022 04:50:20 pm

The community until her death at the age of forty nine and is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama. Thank you for making this such an awesome post!

Doris Denise Stanley

5/5/2022 04:10:45 pm

Want to know is there any ideas that we can do to restore this historical cemetery I am a daughter of Robert l Smith that's a world war II veterans that's out there I recently traveled from Jacksonville Florida to Mobile and cleaned his grave off I don't have a problem doing that I just want to find out other avenues that we can keep their grades clean I understand that the national veteran recovery group is out there that's doing so much work but they need help so if there's anybody have any type of ideas where we can raise money for them so we can help more than more than enough I put more effort into it I am willing to do whatever I need to do to help out as well I've spoken to different famous artists about it trying to get some type of leeway that way and different type of leaders anything that anybody has to offer it would be appreciated to help thanks so much

Roofing Contractors link

5/7/2022 02:28:30 pm

Explore the monuments inside Oaklawn Cemetery, the final resting place for many people of historical prominence, I truly appreciate your great post!

Virginia Braggs

6/9/2023 02:18:11 pm

Looking for my mom's grave, buried around December 3, 1958.

Francine H Pettaway

9/22/2023 01:15:43 pm

Hi we are trying to find the location of our father’s grave. His name George Hopkins. He was buried died June 7,1974. and was buried using Lovett’s Funeral Service approximate a week after his death. We would like to place a headstone on his grave. Please reach out to me via email for any information. Thank You

Alabama's Endangered Historic Landmarks

Each year since 1994, Alabama Heritage has highlighted threatened historic sites throughout Alabama. The “Places in Peril” list has identified more than 215 imperiled historic resources throughout the state, and is compiled by the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. The locations highlight the results of deferred maintenance, perceived obsolescence, development pressures, and lack of funding—forces that now more than ever threaten our cultural legacy. But awareness is a powerful force, too, and can cultivate a renewed determination to be responsible stewards of our heritage. For more information, visit the AHC or the ATHP websites. Alabama Heritage is proud to bring to you a selection of the places designated as perilous. Please keep your comments to information relevant to the featured place in peril. Alabama Heritage reserves the right to delete any comment that we deem inappropriate.

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Oaklawn Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile County

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Oaklawn Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile County

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Alabama's Endangered Historic Landmarks