Stepping Back In Time ~ Part III ~ Apalachicola

During our recent visit to beautiful Apalachicola, Allen and I decided to take the opportunity to investigate the Chestnut Cemetery. Prior to entering the wrought iron gates, I could not resist taking a picture of the two churches across the street.

The First United Methodist Church was originally built in the early 1800s; however a fire destroyed the original building. The church pictured here was constructed in 1901.

This is a photo of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. I have been unable to find out how old this church is, but intend to ask some of the locals when I return. I do love the stone work of this building.

The Chestnut Cemetery (Old City Cemetery) dates back to 1831. 

Those that are resting here include Confederate soldiers and sailors who defended Apalachicola during the Union Blockade in the Civil War, seven Florida Brigade Confederates who served with Pickett at Gettysburg, and scores of women, men and children who succumbed to yellow fever. Notably, Alvin Chapman (a botanist) and his wife are here. However, I was unable to locate their gravesites. Unfortunately, the gravesites are in need of restoration and the cemetery itself is slowly decaying.

This cross was handmade, with no notations readable.

Other plots had very ornate tombstones.

Many of the "resting places" have been neglected, with stones falling over and slowly sinking into Mother Earth's waiting embrace.

It was an interesting few hours spent, underneath the moss covered trees, and my thoughts wandered to the people that once lived in Apalachicola, but are now gone. I wondered what their day to day lives consisted of, how they felt, what happiness they knew, and burdens they beared.

List of Veterans interred at this cemetary.

If you missed the previous parts of this series, you can check them out here:

Part I (The Stores)

Part II (Boats & Birds)