Beulah Cemetery
Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi, US
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beulah Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.. It is a National Register of Historic Places listed place since 1992, and is significant as one of the most intact historic sites associated with the growth of the African-American community of Vicksburg.[3] It is still an active cemetery.
Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Beulah Cemetery | |
| |
| Location | Junction of Openwood St. and Old Jackson Rd., Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32.35750°N 90.84970°W |
| Area | 52 acres (21 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Part of | Vicksburg MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001404[1] |
| USMS No. | 1590 Page 211[2] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 23, 1992 |
| Designated USMS | April 16, 2010 |
History
Beulah was established in 1884 by the Vicksburg Tabernacle No. 19 Independent Order of Brothers and Sisters of Love and Charity, a fraternal order that had wide support among Blacks.[4] It was Vicksburg's only cemetery for African-Americans.[4] The 52 acres (21 ha) of land for the cemetery was purchased by Harvey and Lucy Shannon for US $1000.[4] Prior to the development of Beulah Cemetery, Black people were buried in church cemeteries or in private yards.[4] Beulah Cemetery is abutting the Vicksburg National Military Park.
There are more than 5,500 graves in the 52 acres (21 ha) cemetery.[4] The majority of the graves date from 1884 to the 1940s.[4] The back of the cemetery was known as "paupers field", a place for the burial of unknown, or indigent people.[4]
Notable burials
- Rosa A. Temple, educator and namesake of Rosa A. Temple High School in Vicksburg[4][5]
- Robert Banks Marshall (1873–?), first Black postal employee in Vicksburg[4][5]
- G. M. Mclntyre, principal of the Cherry Street School (an early Black high school)[4][5]
- William H. "Tillmon" Jones (1848–1906), Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia[4][5]
