Bonaventure Cemetery

Savannah, GA
   Bonaventure cemetery was already a "celebrity cemetery" of sorts before the 1997 film "Midnight in the Garden of
Good and Evil" Directed by Clint Eastwood. Based on the Best selling novel by John Berendt. The cemetery boast
several graves of the some of Savannah's most famous ghost and Legends. The cemetery holds the remains of
other famous people from Savannah as well to include: John Mercer Co-Founder of Capital Records and his wife
Ginger, Conrad Aikens the award winning poet, John Waltz a German born sculpture, and Edward Telfair who was
governor of Georgia in 1876.The location was the Mullryne and Tattnall plantation prior to the Civil War. It's lavish
monuments and druid oaks full of moss seem to lay over the landscape like a blanket of beauty. The cemetery is one
of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL cemeteries I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Some of the greatest death
monuments I have seen here at Bonaventure. One of the most popular monuments from Bonaventure cemetery now
rest in the Telfair  museum in historical Savannah. The Bird Girl Statue, It's best known featured as the cover photo
for the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It was moved to the Telfair Museum shortly after the book was
published in 1994.

    Other spectacular grave markers cover the cemetery in Victorian charm and many can be found in the likeness of
there dead. Like the Bust of General Robert Anderson. It's rumored his wife haunts the Ballastone Inn in Savannah.
Another marker made in the likeness of a little girl named Gracie Watson sits sweetly in a rot iron fence. The plot
surrounded by blooming flowers and palms. Gracie is one of the most popular markers in Bonaventure cemetery. Her
marker is made of fine white marble and many passer's leave gifts for little Gracie. Gracie Watson was the 6 year old
daughter of W.J. and Frances Watson who lived in and managed the Pulaski Hotel in Savannah. It was located on the
corner of Bull and Bryan Street and is now a bank. Gracie Watson died of phenomena in the spring of 1889.  Little
Grace's ghost is still seen at the location were the old Hotel used to be. In fact many bank employees tell of seeing
her play in the vaults and often hear the giggle of a little girl.

Her tomb is still one of Savannah's most cherished.
Like many locations were slave labor and trade was abundant many African influences play a big part on
Savannah's history and culture. Witch doctors used Bonaventure for years as a source of power for spell craft and
ritual work. Taking dirt from the grave of a certain character like a preacher or criminal would influence spells and
magic conducted by these witch doctors. Root doctors as they are more commonly called use medicinal practices
handed down to them for generations to cure and curse the afflicted and those in need of a hex. In the days of the
plantation that once thrived here on full moon and wanning moon nights deep in the marshes, drums and chant
echo from inside the dark swamp. The story of Doctor Buzzard is a local legend that tells of a Root Doctor who was
locally known for his magic. Known to many as a practitioner of dark magic. More of an alchemist, Doctor Buzzard
made all sorts of potions for different purposes and was well recognized among Savannah's African and European
Cultures. These were also some influences that played a part in the roles of the characters in the movie and the
book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"