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Cemeteries are fascinating monuments for me. When we visit an old city, I always make sure to include a cemetery on our list. I enjoy examining the stones and the etchings, as well as the dates and names that tell stories of the past. There’s something sacred and grounding about standing in these peaceful spaces, where history feels personal and alive.
But during this time of year, curiosity grows stronger. Perhaps it’s the cool air or childhood memories of sneaking through cemeteries at night, listening for the cracking of branches and the rustling of critters. Cemeteries hold a mix of mystery and reverence, reminding us that the people who built our communities once walked these same paths.
During the pandemic, I started researching my family history and uncovered deep roots in Arkansas, which trace back to my origins in Texas. I discovered ancestors who settled in Amity, Nashville and Washington, along with preachers and shopkeepers who shaped the early communities there. Visiting their final resting places unexpectedly connected me, grounding my wandering heart in the place I now call home.
Before we dive into this list, it’s worth mentioning five historic Arkansas cemeteries that still attract visitors: Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock (known as the Westminster Abbey of Arkansas), Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock (the resting place of several Civil Rights leaders), Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison (a prime destination for fall colors), Evergreen, and the Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville. If you haven’t visited these, start here.
13 Arkansas Cemeteries to Pique Your Curiosity this Fall
Skull Cemetery | Gillett
Off Arkansas Highway 165 near Arkansas Post
Believed to be Arkansas’s oldest cemetery, Skull Cemetery dates back to around 1778 near the original Arkansas Post settlement. One of its earliest known burials is Pierre Laclède, the founder of St. Louis, who died while traveling through the area. Its small, unassuming layout conceals immense historical significance, marking one of the first European presences in what became Arkansas.
Pioneer (Oaklawn) Cemetery | Batesville
435 Myers Street
Batesville Cemetery Department
One of the oldest cemeteries in the state, Oaklawn Cemetery was established in the 1820s and is home to the graves of early settlers and notable figures from Independence County. The uneven stones and weathered inscriptions narrate Arkansas’s territorial history, and local legend says the cemetery once served as a public gathering place during town festivals.
Fairview Cemetery | Van Buren
Near the intersection of 10th Street and McKibben Street
Learn More
Dating back to 1816, Fairview Cemetery is the final resting place of early settlers, soldiers and local legends. Its Confederate section includes soldiers from the Battle of Prairie Grove, while an unmarked “mystery grave” has kept visitors guessing for generations. Some believe it may belong to a lost explorer from the De Soto expedition, while others whisper rumors of Vikings. Either way, it’s one of Arkansas’s most intriguing sites.
Czech National Cemetery | Hazen
3 miles south of Hazen on Highway 11
Arkansas Heritage Information
Founded by Czech immigrants in the early 1900s, this cemetery honors Arkansas’s small but proud Czech heritage. Its decorative ironwork gates and gravestones engraved in Czech tell stories of resilience, culture and community. The grounds were initially donated as part of farm property to care for families and neighbors properly.
Violet Cemetery/ Osceola Graveyard | Osceola
East Johnson Avenue
CALS Historical Listing
At the turn of the 20th century, a group of Osceola women restored this overgrown burial ground by planting violets on each grave, which gave the cemetery its name. It’s the final resting place for veterans of multiple wars, local pioneers, Arkansas politicians, and victims of Mississippi River valley floods. The hand-set pathways and graceful violets still bloom as symbols of honor and care.
Maple Hill Cemetery | Helena-West Helena
1900 Holly Street
Learn more
Established in 1854, Maple Hill features a grand arched entrance and detailed Victorian-era monuments. Notable burials include U.S. Representative James M. Hanks and Confederate Generals Thomas C. Hindman and James C. Tappan. The Coolidge Monument remains one of the cemetery’s most photographed memorials, situated among grounds maintained by leaders dedicated to preserving history.
Cane Hill Cemetery | Cane Hill
18136 Canehill Road.
Cane Hill Heritage Site
This peaceful hillside cemetery intertwines Cherokee and Civil War history. During the Trail of Tears, Cherokee people buried one of their own here, purchasing a coffin from a local store and recording it in tribal journals, emphasizing hardship and resilience. The cemetery also played a role in Civil War battles, providing soldiers with a high ridge for observation and rest. The stunning view of the valley and historic markers make it a key destination in northwest Arkansas.
Mound Cemetery | Arkansas City
County Road 351
CALS Historic Listing
Settlers in the 1800s chose to bury their dead on Native American mounds, believing the higher ground would protect graves from Mississippi River floods. This hauntingly beautiful site holds layers of history, both Indigenous and settler, within a single landscape.
Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery | Cabot
Rye Street and Cherry Dr.
CALS Historic Listing
More than 1,500 Confederate soldiers are buried here after dying from diseases at a nearby military camp in 1862. Local school groups and the Cabot ROTC work to maintain the historic cemetery. The uniform white markers line up in neat rows across a shaded hillside in this all-Confederate graveyard, a quiet reminder of the cost of war.
Mount Olive–Bedford Chapel Cemetery | Mount Vernon
301-359 Manning Road
Arkansas Heritage Site
A sacred African American burial site, this cemetery holds generations of families who helped shape White County’s Black community. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural significance and its important role in preserving post-emancipation history, as many freed slaves found a new home together in the Mount Olive Colony.
Historic Washington State Park Cemeteries | Washington
Pioneer – North End of Jay Street | Old Washington/Presbyterian Cemetery – Carrigan Street
Learn More
Washington actually has two historic cemeteries, both rich in Arkansas’s early political and social history. You’ll find the graves of merchants, preachers, and Civil War figures here. Each headstone tells a chapter of the state’s living history. The art and etchings on the stones are worth the trip.
Pioneer Cemetery | Mena
Near Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge
Arkansas Genealogy Entry
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, this small pioneer plot dates back to the 1800s. The original wrought iron fences and hand-carved stones highlight the isolation and resilience of early mountain settlers. The view from the cemetery provides one of the most peaceful overlooks in the region.
Eureka Springs Cemetery | Eureka Springs
US 62 & County Road 205, Eureka Springs, AR
Eureka Springs Cemetery Commission
Founded in 1880 by the Lamar family and later managed by the International Order of Odd Fellows, this 46-acre site is as eclectic as the town itself. It blends rural charm with Victorian sensibilities and even incorporates modern touches, such as glass information panels and pet-friendly paths. Each Oct., the cemetery hosts guided “Voices from the Silent City” tours—a local favorite that brings history to life.
Curiosity That Connects Us
Whether you’re drawn by genealogy, architecture or pure curiosity, Arkansas’s cemeteries invite you to slow down and listen. They’re places of reverence and wonder—where history rests, but stories keep speaking.
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