Tag Archives: Cemetery

Marsh Reclaiming The Land

Military grave site alongside the salt marsh. This was off by itself instead of being with the military ‘Soldiers Ground’ graves near the entrance.

Marsh Reclaiming The Land
Marsh Reclaiming The Land

The marsh, and Ashley River, will claim this soon.  You can Charleston Harbor and ports from here.

Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston

The far side of old Magnolia Cemetery, down near the salt marshes, has a row of mausoleums built in the late 1800’s. After the US Civil War traditional church grave yards had become full. A war, major earthquake, and a yellow fever pandemic made cemeteries now an option.

Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston
Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston

One of the large mausoleums has had all the vaults removed in the past. The coffins were placed under the tile floors. Unusual for a large ornate building.

Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston
Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston

The large Wragg family crypts remain in their places in a second nearby building.

Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston
Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston

I have read it’s unusual to have multiple crypts still within the old mausoleums around the US. Not in old Magnolia, there are quite a few here.

Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston
Marsh Side Mausoleums, Charleston

People with wealth during the 1800’s expected to be buried in the grave yards of the church they attended. Cemeteries came into use once the traditional grave yards were no longer available. Eventually it became a status symbol to have expensive monuments in large cemeteries, even if the family members were buried at the church.

Charleston, South Carolina.

Old Grave Site, Black And White

An above ground burial vault had a few items piled top. This being an old cemetery there were many obstacles around making it difficult to get a closer look. Of course the obvious thing was to take a shot, which I did.

What I discovered was an old hand made brick from the original plantation, remnants of an old American Flag, and some other cloth.

The photograph actually turned out to be interesting both for the content and the crypt itself.

Old Grave Site, Black And White
Old Grave Site, Black And White

Note; the brick is one of the old rough and uneven bricks common around Charleston. When you find one it’s important to take a close look. Some still have the finger impression from the person who removed the still warm brick from a kiln. Most likely an enslaved worker from the local plantation.

Green Heron, Live Oak

The other day while out shooting Spoonbills in the Live Oaks I kept looking for the Night Herons that live here. This is a rookery for the small Herons.

Never did find any, I did spot this Green Heron in an Oak. At first I assumed this was a Night Heron but Ellen had a better view and updated me.

Green Heron, Live Oak
Green Heron, Live Oak

I had heard Green Herons were around, however I have not so this might be my first one of the year around home.

Green Heron, Live Oak
Green Heron, Live Oak