Back side of Magnolia Cemetery.
This photograph has the markings of old development processes and a small amount of water stains. The shape also has a standard ‘barrel’ roll distortion from the old lens screwed on to the box camera.
I placed my watermark here so there is no question it’s a ‘fake’…besides the fact it’s digital.
I wanted to try it and what better subject than something that’s been exactly the same for 150+ years.
Peaceful and always a history lesson.
A little rust and ruin, and the marsh is moving in. Beautiful place to visit.
Old Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
From a walk.
A spot that every photographer must have on their list of places to visit.
Magical comes to mind.
To start with, I had a hard time even coming up with a title. ‘Poking Around Crypts’ was my initial thought but I wanted to keep a semblance of professionalism.
When walking around the back side of this old cemetery I usually visit the crypts.
Some mausoleums are behind locked gates or solid doors. Which I personally think is a good idea.
The above entrance is not all that inviting and likely keeps a large number of door to door salesman away.
Looking in at the residents you will find that a large number Charleston streets and landmarks are named for them. That’s something I find fascinating. Charleston has a history that is fairly easy to discover. While it is an old city the small southern charm and sense of family is spread throughout downtown. Try figuring that out in NYC.
I mentioned above the idea of the crypts having locks, doors. Not all here do. Above is an example of an open building…from inside.
The marker is worn and hard to read. The bricks are cracked, and just to add ‘character’ huge cob webs hang from the ceiling. I myself think that’s as much a deterrent as a gate. Creepy stuff rubbing on your head.
However, here a gate is not really needed. The crack tiles and empty floor bolts tell the story of an long empty mausoleum.
This is an old cemetery with minimal maintenance, full of history and respect. There is no vandalism. The only damage is by time.
I think this was a missed opportunity on my part. The scene was photographed from this distance, but I did not get closer to investigate.
The flag here needed some research. It is actually the first flag of the Confederate States at the beginning of the US Civil War. There were 7 states and the flag was in use for only 2 months.
This cemetery is both old Charleston family plots and southern military, perhaps there is more information at the head stones. I will stop by next time.
This mausoleum, the Gibbes family, has an unusual earthen roof. James Shoolbred Gibbes is buried here. He died in 1888 but other family members lie here also.
Before his death he had the angel statues carved in Italy. The plans for this building are in the US Library Of Congress and it is registered with the National Historic Registry.
James Shoolbred Gibbes, donated $100,000 to the Carolina Arts Association upon his death in 1888 for the “erection of a suitable building for the exhibitions of paintings.” The donation was the start of the well known Gibbes Art Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.
From a walk. Old Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
