Colored Cemetery
Also known as: Porterdale Cemetery
Why it's listed
Set on the northern edge of Columbus's southern greenbelt, this 17.6-acre burial ground is organized in a gridiron pattern around an east-west axis. It is believed to have been reserved in Edward Lloyd Thomas's 1828 city plan for the burial of Black residents, making it the oldest public cemetery for Black citizens in Columbus. For years it was known simply as "The Colored Cemetery"; the name Porterdale first appears in the 1936 city directory, honoring Richard P. Porter, who served as sexton from at least 1878 until about 1920. Graves face east, some in family plots and some alone, under scattered cedars and ornamental shrubs. Early markers are hand-cut native stone, later ones are concrete slabs, and a few marble monuments commemorate prominent community leaders. Marked graves date from the early 1840s. The markers are valued as art and sculpture because they reveal changing cultural attitudes within the Black community. The grounds are in fair condition, bordered by roads, fencing, vacant lots and a farmers market.
Significance in brief: It is the oldest public burial ground for Black residents of Columbus. It is named for Richard P. Porter, a Black sexton who served nearly half a century. Its grave markers reflect the cultural attitudes of the Black community and how they changed over time, with marked graves dating from the early 1840s.
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 80001155, listed September 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 10th Ave., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Muscogee County |
| Listed | September 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001155 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a cemetery in current use for Black citizens; described as in fair condition. |
| Acreage | 17.6 |
| Coordinates | 32.45217, -84.98098 (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 80001155.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5149033
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.