Old City Cemetery
Also known as: Linwood Cemetery
Why it's listed
Linwood Cemetery, originally called the Old (City) Cemetery, is the oldest public burial ground in Columbus, Georgia. It was part of surveyor Edward Lloyd Thomas' 1828 city plan, and tradition holds that the burial of his son that year began its use, though some marked graves may be older. A main east-west corridor with cross lanes serves family plots enclosed by brick walls and granite, cast iron or wrought iron rails. Markers range from simple carved stones to Victorian Gothic and Egyptian Revival monuments, some topped with marble figures. Cedar and oak trees are irregularly planted, and the ground rises sharply at the east entrance before sloping west. The city council named it Linwood in 1894, probably after Caroline Lee Hentz's novel Ernest Linwood. Burials include Dr. John Pemberton, Gen. Henry Lewis Benning, Leslie DeVotie, and more than 200 Confederate soldiers from every Confederate state. Its sculpture and local history led to its listing.
Significance in brief: The form argues it is significant for sculpture and art, with elaborate and simple tombstones and monuments topped by marble figures. It is also significant for local history as Columbus' oldest public cemetery. It holds over 200 Confederate soldiers and prominent citizens, including Dr. John Pemberton, originator of the Coca-Cola formula.
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 80001188, listed September 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Linwood Blvd., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Muscogee County |
| Listed | September 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001188 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Architect / builder | Included in Edward Lloyd Thomas' original plan of Columbus in 1828 |
| Architectural style | Variety of styles including Victorian Gothic and Egyptian Revival markers |
| Areas of significance | Art, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current use is a city cemetery, owned by the Columbus Consolidated Government; the form says it still serves as a burial place. |
| Acreage | 28.7 |
| Coordinates | 32.47662, -84.98363 (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 80001188.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7083681
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.