Draft:Timothy Amoui

Lincoln Cemetery (Atlanta)

Overview

Lincoln Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1925, Lincoln Cemetery is one of the most notable cemeteries in the Southeastern United States. It serves as the final resting place for numerous prominent figures in Atlanta's history, including civil rights leaders, veterans, politicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, and musicians. Lincoln Cemetery is part of the Lincoln Memorial Group, which also operates Washington Memorial Gardens, Dawn Memorial Park, and Monte Vista Biblical Gardens.

History

1925 - Founding

Originally founded as Fairview Cemetery in 1925, Lincoln Cemetery became an important fixture of the African American community in northwest Atlanta. Theodore "Tiger" Flowers, the first African American middleweight boxing champion, was one of the significant early investors. Flowers lived in a mansion near the cemetery on Simpson Road (now Joseph E Boone Blvd.), which was later replaced by Fire Station #16 in 1963, the first desegregated fire station in the city. His investment laid the foundation for Lincoln Cemetery, which has since grown in both reputation and size, now encompassing over 100 acres.

1930s to 1960s - Expansion and Development

During this period, Lincoln Cemetery underwent significant expansion to meet the needs of the community. A notable development was the establishment of the Lincoln Country Club in 1927, the first African American country club in the United States. The club featured a 9-hole golf course, dining facilities, a dance hall, a private bar, and a small casino. Alfred "Tup" Holmes learned to golf at Lincoln and later successfully desegregated Atlanta's golf facilities in 1955.

The area around the cemetery experienced a boom in the mid-20th century with the development of new neighborhoods like Collier Heights, established in the late 1940s. These neighborhoods aimed to address overcrowding and racially restrictive covenants, providing middle-class African American families with new housing options. Many residents of Collier Heights, including Ralph David Abernathy, played central roles in the Civil Rights Movement.

1960s to 1990s - Continued Growth

Since the 1960s, Lincoln Cemetery has been under the ownership of the Sawyer/Frost family. The family also acquired other cemeteries, which are now part of the Lincoln Memorial Group (LMG). These include Washington Memorial Park, Dawn Memorial Gardens, and Monte Vista ("Lincoln on the Hill"). LMG cemeteries are known for their memorial park style, mid-century modern chapel buildings, and community mausoleums.

1990s to Present - Modern Era

Today, the Lincoln Memorial Group's cemeteries are the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds and faiths. The business remains family-owned, with Timothy Amoui and Shayda Frost, representing the third generation, leading the company. They continue to enhance and grow the cemeteries, ensuring the legacy of Lincoln Cemetery and its sister properties.

Notable Burials

Lincoln Cemetery is home to many notable burials, particularly civil rights leaders who made significant contributions to Atlanta's history:

Ralph David Abernathy Hosea Williams Joseph E. Boone Theodore "Tiger" Flowers Hamilton E. Holmes Ruby Parks Blackburn J. W. Robinson Clarence Bacote A.T. Walden Alfred Fountain "Tup" Holmes Roger Fortson Dorothy Lee Bolden References

References

https://lincolnmemorialgroup.com/ https://atlantatribune.com/2024/05/22/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-legacy-and-legend-of-lincoln-cemetery/ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e6fd72f1f7dae1c021471b9/t/62e2e28cc36da05fea948c4b/1659036304775/Civil+Rights+Cemetery+Tour.pdf