Riverside Cemetery
Why it's listed
Riverside Cemetery occupies 54 acres on a bluff above the Ocmulgee River in Macon, Georgia. Its first 23 acres were laid out in 1887-1889 to plans by Vaux and Company, the firm of nationally known designer Calvert Vaux, with Macon architect Peter E. Dennis supervising locally. Rolling hillocks, curving drives and walkways, and controlled monument placement give the grounds a parklike character that has been maintained as the cemetery grew in stages. Two main buildings survive: a brick Gate House of 1897 with half-timbered detailing and Tudor influences, and a white marble Neoclassical Mausoleum built about 1918. A triangular earthwork redoubt, probably built in July 1864 ahead of Stoneman's Raid, was kept within the original plan and now holds burials. The cemetery was founded in 1887 by seven Macon citizens dissatisfied with the upkeep of neighboring Rose Hill Cemetery, and it reflects the shift toward privately run burial grounds.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved late-nineteenth century rural cemetery, notable for its design by Calvert Vaux's firm, Vaux and Company. It also has a Gate House and a Mausoleum that are good examples of cemetery architecture, and a preserved Civil War redoubt with potential for military archaeology. Locally, it was organized by seven prominent Macon citizens in response to the poor upkeep of Rose Hill Cemetery.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83000183, listed April 28, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1301 Riverside Dr., Macon |
|---|---|
| County | Bibb County |
| Listed | April 28, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000183 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1887 - 1889 and later |
| Architect / builder | Calvert Vaux and Co., landscape architects; Peter E. Dennis, local supervising architect (designer of the Gate House); Georgia Mausoleum Company (Mausoleum) |
| Architectural style | Late nineteenth-century rural cemetery landscape; Gate House with Tudor influences in rustic picturesque style; Neoclassical Mausoleum |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in good condition, altered; part of the acreage is not yet developed. A ca. 1970 sheet metal maintenance building is the only intrusion. |
| Acreage | 54 |
| Coordinates | 32.84916, -83.63798 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83000183.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q29649444
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.