Cemetery History

The early history of the Kennesaw City Cemetery is shrouded in mystery, but the earliest known burial took place in 1863. In that year, infant Lucius Summers, whose family was the namesake of Summers Street, was laid to rest. At the time, the community was known as “Big Shanty,” and was a small railroad stop on the Western & Atlantic Railroad. After the Civil War, more area residents would be laid to rest here, and by 1890 there were around 40 burials.

Even though Kennesaw was incorporated in 1887, it would not be until 1900 that this land was owned by the community. In that year Mrs. Jane E. Shumway donated one acre of land to the town and sold three and a half more acres for $100. Each lot was originally sold for $6. The cemetery would expand in the 1930s when Mayor Luther Chalker began using adjacent land for burials, which he eventually gave to the city in 1982. Today, the cemetery is eight acres.

A wide variety of notable Kennesaw residents are buried here. James G. Lewis was an early town mayor, helped to start a local bank, and is the namesake of Lewis Street. Gaspard Carrie operated a hotel downtown and was a judge after the Civil War. More recently, Helen Odom was a longtime postmaster. When he began his career in 1900, Dr. John W. Ellis was one of the few physicians in Kennesaw. He would serve our community for fifty years. Susie Stegall was a local newspaper correspondent who taught many local residents to play the piano. Because of Kennesaw’s railroad heritage, it is not surprising that over 70 employees of various railroads can be found in this cemetery.

The Kennesaw City Cemetery continues to serve as a place to remember the community members whom each played special roles in our area.

Cemetery History

Resident Spotlights

Resident Spotlight: John F. Brinkley

Resident Spotlight: Charlie Brown

Resident Spotlight: Susie Cox Stegall

Resident Spotlight: Benjamin H. Carrie

A Look into Our Past

Cemetery History Videos

Andrew J. Bramlett Videos

Life in the Cemetery Tour