Haunted Places: Bonaventure Cemetery

“To Understand the living, you got to commune with the dead.” That was from a book (and movie) called Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. That book and movie took place at the Bonaventure Cemetery. Speaking of the Bonaventure cemetery, that’s what this hub is about. Not only that, but it’s also the most haunted cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. It’s one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. It lies beside the Wilmington River.

Some claim this view was the inspiration for Mercer’s Moon River. The cemetery is a big piece of land. Many gravestones there are ancient, however they are in amazingly good shape. Many of them are beautiful statues. The land use to be a massive plantation owned by Josiah Tatnall Jr. He was well liked in the area and was known for the social gatherings he threw. Unfortunately, one night his mansion caught fire and burned down. Paranormal investigators who have been to the cemetery have reported hearing people talking, laughing, and hearing plates and glasses clinking. These are probably some residual spirits. There is evidence that the mansion had two fire incidents by the Bonaventure Historical Society. One in 1771 and one in 1800.

Another haunt of this cemetery is at the grave of Gracie Watson. There is a statue dedicated in remembrance of her. She is seen often at the cemetery, but is reported to be seen more often near her father’s hotel, The Pulaski House. Many people have heard the sound of a female crying and often feel a sense of sadness when they are near the grave. Tears come from the statue and not normal tears. They are tears of blood. It’s because people leave gifts for her during the holidays and when people touch her gifts, she starts to cry. Unfortunately, she was only six years old when she died of pneumonia. There’s a belief that if you put a coin in little Gracie’s palm and encircle around it three times, the coin disappears. Her grave is currently fenced off because people would rub it for good luck, which some people think is bad luck. Other people think that the fence is there to keep little Gracie in.

As if the ghosts that are here aren’t enough, there’s another pack of ghosts that haunt this place. A pack of dogs that are spirits are said to roam around in this cemetery. Some people have said that they are real dogs and have seen them, but most have reported that they are ghosts. Investigators have reported being chased by an unseen presence throughout the cemetery. They say that they feel something watching them. Terrifying growls and barks can also be heard in this cemetery. It’s believed that these are the ghosts of the dogs.

As of today, many visitors and investigators have mixed sayings about the cemeteries claims. Some have said they are false, some say they are true. I think we can all agree though that Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the most magnetizing and beautiful cemeteries in the world. Hopefully on your visit there, you don’t get chased by those ghostly pack of dogs.