Pleasant Gardens Cemetery

This blog was originally posted April 5th, 2007. I have not visited Pleasant Gardens since this day. Note to Stephanie and Cain: I still reflect fondly on this day.

If you read my previous blog, you know I enjoy old cemeteries. There was a brief reference to Pleasant Gardens Cemetery in the previous blog. A recent visit there has inspired another blog dedicated solely to this unique place hidden away in Chattanooga.

I first came to know about Pleasant Gardens a year ago February. There was an effort underway to reclaim this forgotten place from the elements. A group of volunteers worked all day to clear away the hill by the cemetery's entrance so passersby, few as they may be, would be able to see it. Since that day, I had returned twice to show friends this unique and somewhat creepy place. A few weeks ago, I told two friends about this place and they wanted to see it. Last Monday, Stephanie, Cain and I finally made it there.

Upon entering the cemetery, I was quite disappointed to see the clearing accomplished by the volunteers and I over a year ago was for naught. The hill now looks as overgrown and concealing as it ever did. You'd have never known anybody took saws, rakes, blood, sweat and tears to that hill. As we crested the hill, I looked over at the place where I'd fogotten and left a saw behind on that February day. It still sat in the same spot, unmoved. I left it there to serve as a relic and testament of those who once tried to make a difference. Upon cresting the hill, it would appear Pleasant Gardens is not too long forgotten. The tombstones are all standing and neatly aligned with only slight overgrowth. I assured Stephanie and Cain I did not bring them to see only this. We must go further down the path and back into the woods, and that we did.

The further you travel down the path, you start to notice headstones placed sporadically. They are sunken in the ground, concealed by trees or growth or have just fallen over. One would think there was no planning or organization in laying these headstones out. It was as if when the plot was sold, the attitude of "Don't worry, we'll find a spot" was applied.

More interesting than the "sowing of the grave plots" were some of the headstones themselves. One bears the name "Hot Sauce", some the names have been erased by time as the stone was subjected to the elements of nature and some where still as shiny and new as the day they were purchased. The one pictured to the left was made by somebody who wanted to remember Sam S Talliam but could afford no stone. At least I hope they didn't pay out any money for this hunk of concrete. It reads, Sam S Talliam, Died May 29 1960, Barn Sept 11 1908. I did not mispell born, Barn is what is on the headstone. Think, this person made this headstone so others could remember Sam S Talliam. Do you think the tombstone's maker would ever know that this very headstone could be read by millions all over the world? I doubt it. RIP Sam S Talliam.

It really is sad to see a place where people laid loved ones to rest so neglected. We didn't let that stop us from enjoying ourselves as the picture of Stephanie (left) indicates. We strolled through the cemetery noting inscriptions on headstones, neglect of graves and pondered how long it would be before this very place was sold to a developer. This cemetery sits on Missionary Ridge and without some serious action by somebody, become only a memory in due time. I am told that most of those buried in the cemetery are black, but there are exceptions.

The most well known person buried at Pleasant Gardens is Ed Johnson. He was lynched on the Walnut Street Bridge in the early 1900s. His headstone has suffered the fate of many others as it now lays on the ground. A blue Food Lion bag wrapped on a gnarled limb helps those seeking it locate the grave. I recall the day the volunteer effort was underway that I seemed "ruffle some feathers" by asking, "Was there any evidence to support that he may have committed the crime?" Somebody there reminded me that "Blacks in that time could be accused of crimes they did not commit". Like I didn't know that all ready... Ed Johnson's grave completed the tour I wanted to give Stephanie and Cain of the graveyard. We began making our way back. 50 cent tacos and a walk at the track awaited us as we left.

I snapped the picture to the left as we exited. It just appealed to me for some reason. Pleasant Gardens is a unique place that is forgotten by the masses. On the cleanup day, I was told that those living around it don't want it restored as they fear the black community will begin using it again and they are undesired in the neighborhood. From the looks of it, the black community has forgotten it along with the rest of Chattanooga. Along with those buried there, the cemetery Pleasant Gardens has been left to "Rest In Peace".

UPDATE- It appears the man with the homemade headstone was named either Sam Stalliam or Sam Stallion. There is more about his in a more recent blog.

Found this sign laying in the middle of the graveyard...