Historic cemetery brings burial data to life
Elmwood’s first official burial took place in July 1853. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The Elmwood graves of the former owners of Laukoff Stained Glass feature portraits of Martin ‘Mickey’ Laukhuff Nolen and Ralph Lewis Laukhuff. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Elmwood Cemetery includes a section where Chinese immigrants are buried. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Opened in August 1852, Elmwood is the oldest active cemetery in Memphis and serves as the final resting place for more than 80,000 people. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The Lord’s Chapel on the grounds of Elmwood Cemetery. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Phillips Cottage serves as the visitor center and office at Elmwood. It was built in 1866, and a parlor, brick vault and front porch were added in 1902. The Cottage is the only known example of Victorian Carpenter Gothic architecture in Memphis and is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Bettye Sights is among the volunteers who tend cradle graves at Elmwood Cemetery. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
The Morgan Bridge that connects East Dudley Street to the cemetery grounds was designed by City of Memphis engineer J. A. Omberg and is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Elmwood has begun the process of digitizing the 170-year-old cemetery’s records. Burial locations, obituary information and photos will be among the information the public will be able to access on their computers or smartphones.
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Elmwood Cemetery Arts & Culture Benjamin Hooks E.H. Crump Maxine Smith burial cemetery digital burial recordsAlicia Davidson
Alicia Davidson is a lifelong Memphis resident and graduate of The University of Memphis College of Journalism and Strategic Media. When not scribbling about the latest Memphis news, you will find her reading historical biographies, cooking Italian cuisine and practicing vinyasa yoga.
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