History of Westview Cemetery

The Nov. 14 Buckhead Heritage Speaker Series will feature Jeff Clemmons talking about the history of Westview Cemetery. The free event, which is open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Philip. Please register at http://www.BuckheadHeritage.com.

In 1884, several leading citizens purchased 577 acres to open Atlanta's Westview Cemetery. The rolling terrain, part of which was a site in the Civil War battle of Ezra Church, became the final resting place for more than 125,000 people. Prominent locals buried there include Grant Park namesake L.P. Grant, author Joel Chandler Harris, High Museum benefactor Harriet High, Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler Sr., Haverty's founder J.J. Haverty, and Civil Rights icons Donald Lee Hollowell and Rev. Joseph Lowery.

The cemetery's Westview Abbey mausoleum is one of the nation's largest, with more than 11,000 crypts. Throughout its history, Westview dabbled in other business ventures, including a cafeteria, a funeral home and an ambulance service. And for decades, the cemetery's Westview Floral Company sold flowers to lot owners and local businesses, leading to its own advice column in the Atlanta Constitution.