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| by the walking bridge landscapes of Magnolia. |
It first opened in 1850, and is located near the Cooper River, the 150 acre plot is home to wildlife, beautiful landscapes and a wide variety of markers and monuments. I was shocked not only by the size, but at the exemplary upkeep for such a large landscape. The cemetery is a great example of both a rural and Victorian cemetery. Over 35,000 people are buried here and all the grave markers have unique qualities that define them. There were so many ornate details, enormous grave sites, and the overall appearance of the markers and monuments were in decent condition. The trip was well worth it, and I learned a lot about the grave markers and also the people who were buried there.
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| View from the bridge where we spotted a bird perched. |
The layout of the cemetery is strategically planned and expertly laid out. The views are breathtaking, as well. Each area of the cemetery is different. The paths are wonderful for walking, and the overall atmosphere of the cemetery is clean, kept up, and pristine. Though there were some areas that had massive fallen trees due to Hurricane Matthew, but it almost added to the experience. The large water bodies added a tranquil and calming effect that romanticized the fact that we were in a cemetery.
There were so many stunning monuments in Magnolia that I had a hard time just picking my top three favorites.
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| William Huggins Brawley |
The first one that caught my attention belongs to Mr. William Huggins Brawley. Who lived from May 13, 1841- Nov. 15, 1916. Some interesting facts about his life were that he was a "US Congressman. During the Civil War he served as a Private in Company F, 6th South Carolina Infantry, and was severely wounded at the May 30, 1862 Battle of Seven Pines, losing an arm. He was elected as a Democrat to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1891 until his resignation in 1894." By using findagrave.com I was able to recover this information. His grave marker was a box with the inverted lit torches on the corners- symbolizing life in the next realm or a life extinguished. A lit torch represents life, immortality and the everlasting life. Conversely, an inverted torch represents death, or the passing of the soul into the next life.
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| Annie Kerr Aiken |
The second grave that caught my eye was Little Annie's. She was born Annie Kerr Aiken, and passed right before her third birthday. Living from Jun. 12, 1853 - May 8, 1856. In the textbook my Professor writes about how she died of diphtheria. She holds a wreath in her hands as well. The use of garlands, wreaths and festoons dates back to ancient Greek times and it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption. Her grave marker is a box tomb, with a figure of a sleeping child atop it.
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| James B. Boyd |
The final grave that I personally found most interesting was James Brown Boyd, who's birth date is unknown but he died on Sep. 17, 1862. He was the 2nd Sergeant of the Palmetto Guards, of South Carolina,and was killed at the battle of Sharpsburg September 17, 1862. His body was removed from near the battle field and brought here to Magnolia. The reason I found this grave so captivating was because of the palmetto plant on top of the pedestal and the detail in the grave marker itself.
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| Our class outside the gates of Magnolia Cemetery |
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Magnolia Cemetery and I am glad I had the opportunity to go explore the gorgeous grounds. Here is a picture outside the grates before we began our exploration.
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