Laurel Grove-North Cemetery
Why it's listed
Laurel Grove-North is a 67-acre municipal cemetery on the southwestern side of Savannah, laid out in 1852 on the former Stiles family plantation. James O. Morse designed its plan of gently curving roads shaded by live oaks and crepe myrtles, and the plan remains largely unchanged. An original cast iron gate links a two-story stuccoed keeper's lodge and a one-story porter's lodge at the entrance. Inside are Victorian mausoleums in Italianate, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Egyptian Revival styles, along with ironwork, stained glass, a receiving vault and many statues, including a Carrara marble angel imported from abroad. Because it was Savannah's only public cemetery for several decades, it holds monuments from every level of society. The nomination values it for its landscape design, funerary art and role in the city's burial history. Most lots were filled by the late 19th century, and the grounds have suffered vandalism and neglect since World War II, prompting restoration efforts.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant in architecture, art, landscape architecture, sculpture and commemoration. It contains Victorian mausolea in several revival styles, ironwork, stained glass and imported statuary, and its informal, park-like design reflects mid-19th-century landscaped cemeteries. It was Savannah's second public cemetery and was converted from the Stiles family plantation.
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 83000187, listed August 4, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W. Anderson St., Savannah |
|---|---|
| County | Chatham County |
| Listed | August 4, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000187 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1852-present |
| Architect / builder | James O. Morse for the plan; Sholl and Fay, Architects for the buildings |
| Architectural style | Victorian cemetery with Italianate, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Egyptian Revival mausolea |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as fair. The cemetery has deteriorated since World War II through vandalism and neglect, and local groups are working with the city's Park and Tree Commission on restoration. |
| Acreage | 67 |
| Coordinates | 32.06487, -81.10874 (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 83000187.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.