My paranormal investigation research part 3

As is custom with this series I will tell you a little about the location (and the history), tell you why it maybe haunted and tell you what is said to happen here. I will then go on investigation and write about it.

If you have lived in Atlanta or Georgia for any length of time you probably have heard about Oakland cemetery. It is one of the place to go if you want something paranormal to happen. It's one of them most famous landmarks in Atlanta. It is also one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in the state. This place was in the news recently due to the removal and vandalism of the lion that called this place home (more on this later).

It opened in 1850 and is now one of the largest cemeteries at 48-88 acres (some sources say 48 acres others say 88). Oakland is the final resting place to some notable people including author Margaret Mitchell, Mayor Maynard Jackson, golf legend Bobby Jones, Morris Brown College Founder Wesley John Gaines, six Georgia governors and 25 other Atlanta mayors. The original 6 acres is the oldest historical plots of land in Atlanta. The cemetery is the final resting place to 70,000 people. One interesting fact is that Bobby Jones' plot is usually partly covered in golf balls. Also the mausoleum of Jasper Newton Smith features a striking life-size statue of Smith himself.

There are different sections including the original 6 acres, the confederate section, the new Jewish section, the Potter's field, and the black section. There's also the bell tower, a fountain and the monuments and mausolea. The Potter's field is the final resting place to people without means for a burial. The black section is a product of a time where segregation was the norm of society. The old Jewish section was part of the original 6 acres.

So why is this place haunted? Well for starter it's old and historic. Old or historic like buildings or cemeteries are more likely to be haunted than newer places. Cemeteries aren't traditionally but if people were buried the wrong way or disrespectfully then it could be haunted. Cemeteries can also be haunted if it was the site of a tragedy or put on land that a tragedy had occurred. So for example if a war occurred near or on the land Oakland was placed it could be haunted. It is also rumored that some of the over 800 slaves that were buried here were moved to make room for white men that could lead to some restless spirits. Also the lion that's part of the memorial or monument of the unknown confederate soldiers was vandalized several times. The lion was then removed on August 18th, 2021 due to the vandalization. The removal and vandalization could cause spirits to be angry. The soldiers from opposite sides of the civil war were buried on the same field so they could be unhappy about that.

What is said to happen here? Some people said that they've seen union soldiers hanging from trees. It is also said that names could be heard from an unknown voice kind of like a roll call. People even report seeing Jasper Newton “Jack” Smith rise from his statue and roam around at night.

So I plan to visit with a friend and to bring an offering to "the gate keeper" which is the tradition when visiting a gated cemetery. I have always felt a draw to this place. I will of course post about what we find here and the other places on my list. I hope you have enjoyed this post and will stay tuned for the follow up.