History
Honoring Generations Past
by Kathryn Parsons Willis
2016
The Duluth Church Cemetery is more than just a resting place for loved ones. It is a reflection of the history and culture of our community. From the oldest headstones to the newest memorials, this cemetery tells the stories of those who have passed and the times in which they lived. Exploring history can reveal past generations' traditions, beliefs, and values.
The land for the Methodist cemetery, consisting of two acres, was donated in 1871 by Singleton Howell, son of the founder of Duluth, Evan Howell. Ironically Singleton died in 1878 and was the first person actually buried there. There are a number of older graves, but they were moved there in later years. Those were originally in other church cemeteries, or in family plots, which were very typical in earlier years.
The Baptist cemetery is on the next hill, separated by a twelve foot road. It consists of four acres. This land was donated in 1886, the same year the Baptist Church in Duluth was founded, by J. G. New and Dr. E. G. Ware. Dr. Ware has an imposing red marble, obelisk monument on the hill at the center of the Baptist cemetery.
Duluth Church Cemetery, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation - and includes both the Methodist and Baptist sides of the cemetery. For years the only churches in Duluth were the Methodist and the Baptist. Many of the people who are responsible for the development and growth of Duluth and of the two churches are buried here. All upkeep inside the cemetery is led by the church cemetery committee, with some funding by the two churches. Saturday clean-up days are held in the spring and in the fall.
The beautiful fence and wall around the cemetery were funded by the City of Duluth in 2000 with SPLOST funds. The small white concrete building at the edge of the cemetery is the Calaboose. It was built in 1909 for $500 and served as Duluth's jail until the mid 1950's.