Wilmington Oakdale Cemetery
Wilmington Oakdale Cemetery
Wilmington Oakdale Cemetery
4.5
08:30 - 16:30
Monday
08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday
08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday
08:30 - 16:30
Thursday
08:30 - 16:30
Friday
08:30 - 16:30
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4.5
89 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Will M
Greensboro, NC14 contributions
Jul 2021
Oakdale is a historic, rural cemetery with beauty that rivals the likes of the more famous cemeteries like Bonaventure in Savannah, and Magnolia in Charleston. You could easily get lost here for hours roaming the burial mounds, and there is a huge amount of history contained within. There is a mixture of paved roads, bricked walkways, and grass footpaths so be smart about your footwear choices. There are not many tour options here though there are occasional public ones held by the cemetery association. With so much history to cover, I recommend doing a little research ahead of time to make sure you hit the highlights!
Written 12 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cheryl h
Durham, NC57,976 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
First I need to say to be sure to stop at the gate to get a map of the historic graves. Otherwise, this place is so large you may not find them. You can walk alone, take a tour, or drive (we chose to drive). One of the graves you'll find is Rose O'Neal Greenhow (a confederate spy during the Civil War). She was on a British blockade runner when it ran aground near Wilmington. She refused to leave behind the gold she had sewn into her underclothes and drowned from the weight. Henry Bacon was the architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. Nance Martin died at sea and was tied to a chair in a seated position and put into a barrel of rum. The barrel containing her body is buried in Oakdale Cemetery. Captain William Ellerbrook's dog Boss ran into a burning building to save his master. Ellerbrook and Boss were found dead inside the building the next day with a torn piece of Ellerbrook's coat in Boss' mouth from trying to drag his master to safety. Boss is buried in the casket with Ellerbrook. There are many other interesting grave sites. There is also an 1862 burial site on a hill for yellow fever victims. Only a few of the graves have markers.
Written 18 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry P
Wilmington, NC95 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Truly a Wilmngton must-see. The walkways defined by incredibe (tomb)stones from modern day to intricate art work now only gazed upon or cared for by strangers, family now long gone. Traces of countless types of ironwork surround those fortunate enough to have family plots. The
chaperones are knowledgeable and careful to allow time to wander, but if one wanders away to far, mabe a little too late, those shadows lengthen quickly and seem to swathe whatever they sneak up on. Take care not to dwell too long reading the epitaphs, one might become seperated from the controlled group and there's places in that cemetary that are not kind to strangers..yankees or not
chaperones are knowledgeable and careful to allow time to wander, but if one wanders away to far, mabe a little too late, those shadows lengthen quickly and seem to swathe whatever they sneak up on. Take care not to dwell too long reading the epitaphs, one might become seperated from the controlled group and there's places in that cemetary that are not kind to strangers..yankees or not
Written 20 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anonymous p
Wilmington, NC19 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
there is an interesting history related to many of the graves, but unless you have a tour guide there is no point in visiting. Like most of Wilmington, it is overrated and not worth your time.Your vacation would be better spent in Sunset or Myrtle Beach.
Written 15 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
matthew m
Smithfield NC 14 contributions
Jun 2015
In 1852, prominent Wilmington businessmen purchased 65 acres for a new cemetery to be located beyond the town limits, which was 8th Street. The cemetery became known as Oakdale and was NC's first rural Cemetery. The first burial occurred on February 5, 1855—Annie DeRosset, the six-year old daughter of the cemetery president, Dr. Armand John DeRosset.
Oakdale Cemetery contains the graves of the movers and shakers of Wilmington, NC. The eloquent epitaphs and symbolic funerary art tell stories of those who lie beneath and bring them to life for the living. The graves represent veterans from all wars and all branches of service, politicians, mayors, congressmen, artists, architects, writers, developers, merchants, planters, fraternal order members, insurance men, exporters, immigrants, victims of Yellow Fever epidemics, wives, mothers, infants and children, and a female Confederate spy.
Oakdale Cemetery contains the graves of the movers and shakers of Wilmington, NC. The eloquent epitaphs and symbolic funerary art tell stories of those who lie beneath and bring them to life for the living. The graves represent veterans from all wars and all branches of service, politicians, mayors, congressmen, artists, architects, writers, developers, merchants, planters, fraternal order members, insurance men, exporters, immigrants, victims of Yellow Fever epidemics, wives, mothers, infants and children, and a female Confederate spy.
Written 11 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Weyden
Wilmington, NC217 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
I do not mean to be disrespectful of anyone. Oakdale is a classic old fashioned cemetery. It is NOT a flat field, with flat headstones, to make maintenance easy. It is gently rolling, wooded, with paths and roads that are about three feet below the level of the plots. The plots are family plots, stretching over generations, showing the different styles of burial (and the differing wealth of the buried), with fascinating tombstones. On a pleasant day go to the cemetery, walk around at leisure looking. If you are like me, you'll find fascination in the words, the dates, and the decorative elements of the tombstones and markers -- and at times I'll reflect on the human condition, or the vagaries of life and death (when half a family has died within a month or so of each other, and one thinks of plagues). Not an ordinary tourist place, and probably not for everyone. But for me it generates a diverse set of responses and ruminations.
Written 13 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul H
Winston-Salem and Salisbury North Carolina, United States26 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
The cemetery has a self guided driving tour of the famous graves and the use of QR codes for you smart phone
Written 21 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luckytraveler31
Wilmington, NC41 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
It's all here. Go to their website and download maps and attractions. Driving through has a learning curve and well worth it. We live here; had missed this somehow. My husband is a history buff and I took him there today as a surprise, not expecting to enjoy it so much myself. We both loved it; so much (see title thread) to see. Some of the engravings are so touching. I could (and may) come alone and spend the day sometime.
Written 25 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samira Davis Coldwell Banker Seacoast
Wilmington, NC105 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
Somewhat Narnia-esque with the rambling vegetation and winding pathways, Oakdale Cemetery is also walking distance to such eclectic and charming residential neighborhoods as Carolina Heights. The landscaping is decidedly Tolkenian and therein lies the draw; with an array of crypts, stones and other commemorative statues, Oakdale is a literal walk through time and tradition.
Unlike many other cemeteries, this is an excellent activity for you and your furry friend- Fido is welcome so long as he stays leashed and you are sure to clean up. This is also a fun family activity, as the paved portions are wide enough for prams and strollers. An enchanting way to spend a morning or afternoon while learning more about the history of Wilmington!
Unlike many other cemeteries, this is an excellent activity for you and your furry friend- Fido is welcome so long as he stays leashed and you are sure to clean up. This is also a fun family activity, as the paved portions are wide enough for prams and strollers. An enchanting way to spend a morning or afternoon while learning more about the history of Wilmington!
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raiderWashington_DC
Leland, NC36 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
This one surprised me because I did not want to do a cemetary tour but this guided tour was really packed full of historic relevance that I would have missed if I just toured on my own. David Brinkley of network news fame is buried here. The family plot for the Jorgensen Family (Sonny of NFL quarterback fame) is here. You'll learn about the early days of Wilmington and the cemetary is a virtual Who's Who of local popular names and their family plots. If you are a local - this is a must see place.
Written 9 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do we need tickets? How much is it? Are the tours guided? When?
Written 14 July 2016
You don't need tickets, there is no charge. You are free to drive into the cemetery and visit to your heart's content, there are seemingly endless little winding roads all through the area. Yes, there are Civil War era graves there, I took photos of them. Oakdale Cemetery does offer flashlight tours. The cost is $15 per person and you must bring your own flashlight. These tours are guided by a historian. Visit their website for dates and more information. You can find it via Google.
Written 15 July 2016
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