Perpetual Care Trust
The only permanent answer to decades of neglect — an endowment that funds high-quality care of these grounds forever.
How the trust works
Established 1836 · National Register of Historic Places
A magnificent city of the dead, in the heart of Mobile
One hundred twenty acres of ancient oaks, marble angels and Victorian ironwork — cared for by the Friends of Magnolia Cemetery, Inc.
1836Established
120+Acres
80,000Grave sites
6,000+Veterans nearby
Welcome
An outdoor experience not to be missed
Spreading out beneath a canopy of ancient oaks in Mobile, Alabama is a magnificent city of the dead. Established by municipal ordinance in 1836 on thirty-six acres outside the city limits, this peaceful place of rest now lies in historic Mobile, just blocks from downtown.
Today Magnolia Cemetery covers over 120 acres and contains some 80,000 grave sites. Adjoining it are a National Cemetery holding the graves of over 6,000 veterans, and the cemeteries of Mobile’s two Jewish congregations.
The variety and array of funerary art on display are breathtaking — from hauntingly mournful angels to elaborate urns, anchors, lambs and crosses symbolizing hope, mercy, forgiveness and memory. The many graceful epitaphs are reminders of a more eloquent and devout age.
Who rests here
Notable Mobilians
Resting within these 120 acres are many figures from Mobile’s past. In Confederate Rest and the National Cemetery are buried war dead from the War of 1812 through Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- Walter D. & Bessie Morse BellingrathFounders of Bellingrath Gardens
- Augusta Evans WilsonCivil War authoress
- Dr. Josiah NottRenowned physician
- John GayleTwice Governor of Alabama
- James BattleOwner of the Battle House Hotel
- Michael KrafftFounder of the Cowbellian de Rakin Society
- Braxton BraggConfederate general
- Chappo GeronimoApache
Ways to help
Magnolia is preserved by the people who love it
The Friends of Magnolia Cemetery is a non-profit volunteer organization that maintains and operates the cemetery under contract with the City of Mobile. Every program below is funded by members and donors.
Avenue of Heroes
More than 100 flags line the cemetery streets each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, each one honoring a fallen hero by name.
Dedicate a flag
Membership & Memorial Fence
Membership funds the office, an annual walking tour and three newsletters a year. The memorial fence program replaced rusted chain link with iron.
Become a memberVisit
Come walk the grounds
Magnolia Cemetery is open to visitors and sits just blocks from downtown Mobile at 1202 Virginia Street. Call the office at 251‑432‑8672 with questions about lots, records or tours.