A Stroll Through History
The history behind Thomasville’s City Cemetery traces back to founder John W. Thomas. Around 1860 Mr. Thomas donated a piece of property for use a a cemetery. This piece of land was later dedicated as City Cemetery. Deeds for plots became available and slowly the cemetery began to fill up. The City Cemetery contains a large number of those who have been Thomasville’s movers and shakers from its inception including Mr. Thomas who died in 1871. Beyond Thomasville natives, this cemetery includes the graves of 42 Confederate Army soldiers. Even more noteworthy are the few Union soldiers buried beside them. This is one of only a few cemeteries in the entire United States that contains the graves of Northern and Southern soldiers side by side. In 1924 City Government took control of the cemetery and borne that responsibility ever since. Nearly 50 years later following a lamentful deterioration of cemetery grounds a revival care interest rose form a new cemetery committee. One individual in particular, Mr. Nat P. Walker became the volunteer groundskeeper. Walker is a building contractor whose grandparents and parents are all buried in this cemetery. His mother, Pauline was a Thomasville Beautification crusader. Since 1984 revitalization efforts have not ceased and the City Cemetery now includes a groundskeeper building, small museum, and chapel. Thomasville City Cemetery is a glimpse into things past that helped to build Thomasville to what it is today. A worthwhile visit for anyone looking to learn more about the rich history of Thomasville. The cemetery museum is open by appointment only. Please see contact information below.
Thomasville City Cemetery
205 memorial Park Drive
336-590-0100
Civil War Trails
Thomasville was quick to join the State of North Carolina when it began its Civil War Trails Program in 2004. Thomasville has three authenticated sites with markers at the City Cemetery, Visitors Center, and near the pedestrian underpass. Learn about the rich history of our city by taking a self guided walking tour!
