News Summary
Biddleville Cemetery, one of Mecklenburg County’s oldest post-emancipation burial grounds, struggles with neglect and a lack of recognition. Despite being a historic site with ties to over 300 individuals, including war veterans and community leaders, the cemetery remains unmarked and in disrepair. Community members are advocating for restoration efforts to honor the cemetery’s history and the significant contributions of those interred there.
Charlotte – The Biddleville Cemetery, one of the oldest post-emancipation burial grounds in Mecklenburg County, faces ongoing challenges due to neglect and a lack of public awareness. Located near Five Points Park and Johnson C. Smith University, this historic site is believed to be the final resting place of over 300 individuals, primarily free African Americans, dating back to its establishment in 1873.
The cemetery, however, is in dire condition, with fewer than 20 legible headstones remaining. Many of the stones are either illegible, broken, or nonexistent entirely. Noteworthy burials include veterans from both World Wars, the Spanish-American War, as well as ministers connected to A.M.E. Zion churches, reflecting the cemetery’s significant historical context.
In 1873, the Society of the Minute Men, an African American civic organization, was responsible for the cemetery, signing over the deed to the land. However, after this organization ceased to exist, the cemetery was left without a caretaker. Although Mecklenburg County began maintaining Biddleville Cemetery in 2015, their maintenance, which consists of mowing approximately 26 times a year, is limited to avoid damage to the remaining headstones.
In 2016, Biddleville Cemetery was designated as a historic landmark by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. Despite this recognition, the area lacks any signage indicating its historical significance, contributing to the community’s unawareness of its existence and the importance of preserving its history.
The cemetery has suffered from years of neglect and overgrowth. Volunteers, such as Jason Tapp, have taken the initiative to organize clean-up efforts to clear away weeds and restore the area. Tapp discovered the cemetery via social media and has galvanized local support for these restoration efforts. In addition to physical clean-ups, community residents have expressed a strong desire for increased awareness and understanding of the cemetery’s history.
Local residents like Dorothy Green and Nolie Steele, who have lived near the cemetery for many years, describe the area as neglected and lacking proper recognition. Many residents in the surrounding neighborhoods are either unaware of the cemetery’s existence or mistakenly assume it is merely a park space. The last known burial at Biddleville Cemetery occurred in 1982, further illustrating its historical importance to the community.
Efforts to foster a sense of preservation and awareness have intensified recently, fueled by community advocacy and the support of local politicians. While there have been discussions about adding signage and educational materials to honor the cemetery’s history and the individuals interred there, these initiatives have yet to come to fruition.
Despite the cemetery’s designation as a historic landmark, the lack of active engagement in preservation and education raises concerns about its effectiveness in serving that purpose. Increasing gentrification and displacement in the Biddleville neighborhood have added complexity to the situation, as the population and community dynamics continuously shift.
As awareness efforts continue, community members remain hopeful that the history of Biddleville Cemetery will be properly honored through educational initiatives and physical restoration efforts. In doing so, this memorial ground can serve as a poignant reminder of Charlotte’s African American heritage and the contributions of those who are laid to rest there.
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer Article on Biddleville Cemetery
- Wikipedia: Cemeteries in the United States
- Charlotte Magazine: The Cemetery That Wasn’t There in Biddleville
- Google Search: Biddleville Cemetery
- The Jaxson: Charlotte’s Biddleville – What Gentrification Looks Like
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Heritage
- Charlotte Observer: Biddleville Cemetery Update
- Google Scholar: Biddleville Cemetery
