Selma Tour Guide
Helping You Discover Selma Alabama
Live Oak Cemetery, aka Old Live Oak Cemetery, is located in Selma, a city rich in historical landmarks and cultural heritage, Live Oak Cemetery is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the American South's history. It is only a 5 minute drive from the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The cemetery is another tourist favorite with its beautiful hand carved marble monuments and the ancient Magnolia and Live Oak trees that are draped with Spanish moss.
Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds with the Self-Guided Walking Tour Brochure, or guided tours are available for those looking to delve deeper into the cemetery's past.
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Live Oak Cemetery is more than just a burial ground, it's a journey through the annals of American history. As you wander through its pathways, you're walking alongside heroes of the Civil War, activists of the Civil Rights Movement, and influential citizens who shaped the destiny of Selma and the nation. The cemetery is dotted with impressive hand carved monuments, statues, and mausoleums that exhibit a range of architectural styles, from Gothic to Classical, adding to the solemn and respectful ambiance of this sacred space. Each headstone, each inscription, tells a story of bravery, sacrifice, and legacy.
The cemetery is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, highlighted by majestic live oak trees that have stood watch over the graves for centuries. Their sprawling branches provide a canopy of tranquility, making the cemetery a peaceful retreat for contemplation and remembrance. The cemetery provides year-round enjoyment for its visitors and, in the spring, you will see many beautiful azaleas and dogwood trees in bloom. Selma Tour Guide and Cemetery Preservation Group have developed a Self-Guided Walking Tour Brochure that can be downloaded here, viewed on your smart phone, or you can pick up a free copy at the cemetery.
Visitors to Live Oak Cemetery are invited to immerse themselves in the profound history and natural beauty of Selma. The cemetery serves as a valuable educational resource, offering insights into the historical events and figures that have shaped the region. Whether you're tracing your ancestry, conducting historical research, or simply seeking a moment of peace amidst the beauty of nature, Live Oak Cemetery provides a unique and meaningful experience.
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There are many interesting people buried in Selma’s first burial ground including William Rufus King who is the only Alabamian elected as Vice President of the United States. Also buried here is Benjamin Sterling Turner who was a former slave and was the first African American from Alabama to be elected to the US Congress. Selma Tour Guide has included Abraham Lincoln’s sister-in-law, Elodie Todd Dawson, and approximately 40 other interesting people in the Self-Guided Walking Tour Brochure.
Selma Cemeteries are Open 7 Days A Week - Dawn to Dusk - Free Admission
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CAUTION DO NOT touch, sit or climb on grave markers. They can topple over and cause serious injury or death.
Restoration Work
Cemetery Preservation Group
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Here is a sampling of the work being done by
Cemetery Preservation Group, Inc
to restore Selma's historic cemeteries.
This is a beautiful and detailed stone sculpture, showing intricate work that required the skilled hands of a stone mason. The attention to detail, the folds of the dress, and the serene expression on the face all speak to the mason's talent and the care put into memorializing the individual.
Creating a piece like this is truly an art form.
Self-Guided Walking Tour Brochures Available In Old Live Oak Cemetery
Open 7 Days A Week - Free Admission
Live Oak Cemetery
Self-Guided
Walking Tour
People Listed Below Are Featured In Our Walking Tour Brochure
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Cemetery Preservation Group’s mission is to restore, preserve and protect historic cemeteries as well as to provide educational publications, walking tours, videos, and educational programs.
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Our organization is run by volunteers so 100% of your tax-deductible donations go toward the cemeteries and our mission.
Please join with us . . . become a donor today.
For additional information visit our Cemetery Preservation Group website at www.CPGLLC.org and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cemeterypreservationgroupinc