After years of dedicated research and restoration, the Mulberry Street Cemetery in LaGrange, Ga. has been fully revitalized and will be officially unveiled during a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, July 24. The restoration incorporates educational elements, showcases regional and local history, and creates a space for shared community engagement.
The Mulberry Street Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 300 Confederate veterans; more than 1,000 unmarked graves of people believed to be African American; and the burial site of renowned bridge builder, legislator, and architect Horace King, who was formerly enslaved. The site also features a restored King covered bridge that now connects to LaGrange’s scenic Thread Trail.
The Mulberry Street Cemetery is a special place in the heart of LaGrange, serving as a poignant reminder of the city’s rich heritage. Dating back to 1863, it has been the final resting place for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including soldiers from all 11 official states of the Confederacy and enslaved orderlies who played a vital role during the Civil War.
Through meticulous research and collaborative efforts among the City of LaGrange, Visit LaGrange, and the Troup County Archives, approximately 1,000 unmarked graves have been identified. Those laid to rest are believed to be African Americans buried between 1863 and 1930. While the individuals cannot be exhumed and identified, each will be honored with a marker as part of the completed restoration. The Troup County Archives has taken steps to engage the local community to identify possible living relatives and will continue to build on these efforts going forward.
“The revitalization of Mulberry Street Cemetery is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to honor its history with honesty and care,” said Vance Smith, Georgia State Representative. “This project preserves the stories of those laid to rest here and turns a once-forgotten space into a place of learning, reflection, and unity. I’m proud to see LaGrange leading the way in showing how history and progress can walk hand-in-hand.”
Central to the site’s historical significance is the grave of Horace King, born into slavery and later one of the most respected builders in the South. King’s engineering legacy includes the construction of more than 125 bridges across the region. His work is represented at the cemetery through the return of Troup County’s Wehadkee Creek Covered Bridge, originally built in 1873, reconstructed by his son George, and now permanently installed at the site after spending decades at in Harris County at Callaway Gardens. A granite monument honors King and his son Marshal on the grounds.
The restoration of Mulberry Street Cemetery includes a new boardwalk, landscaping enhancements, and the preservation of existing historical markers. Educational features throughout the site help promote a deeper understanding of the cemetery’s historical significance within the broader context of LaGrange’s history.
The completed project underscores the City of LaGrange’s commitment to preserving local history and providing inclusive public spaces that invite reflection, connection, and understanding. The restoration was made possible through a $1.8 million grant from the Governor’s Office of Georgia, awarded to Visit LaGrange. Other contributors include the City of LaGrange and the Callaway Foundation.
WHAT: A special ceremony will be held to commemorate the revitalization and reopening of the Historic Mulberry Street Cemetery – an important piece of LaGrange’s heritage established in 1863. The event will include remarks from local and state leaders, historic preservation advocates and community representatives.
WHEN: Thursday, July 24 10:00 a.m. (Rain or shine)
WHERE: Historic Mulberry Street Cemetery, 101 W. Mulberry Street, LaGrange, Georgia
WHO: Speakers: Jason Weldon, Visit LaGrange Board Chairman
The Honorable Vance Smith, Jr., State Representative, Georgia House of Representatives
Wright Mitchell, Executive Director, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Chalton Askew, Executive Director, Trustbuilding Inc.
WHY: The revitalization of the Historic Mulberry Street Cemetery reflects a significant investment in preserving LaGrange’s history, honoring those laid to rest, and reconnecting the community with its cultural roots. The historic cemetery is home to more than 300 Confederate veterans; more than 1,000 unmarked graves; and the burial site of the formerly enslaved renowned bridge builder, legislator and architect Horace King.
For more information on the Mulberry Street Cemetery project, please visit www.mulberrystreetcemetery.org.
