Description

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In 1840 the Macon City Council adopted a plan for a new 50-acre cemetery, Rose Hill. Its designer, Simri Rose, described it as:
 

"situated about a half mile above the city on the banks of the Ocmulgee River, mostly on elevated ground, the highest point being 142 feet above its bed. Its entrance is through a lofty arched gate, constructed after the Doric order of architecture. The area of ground comprised within the enclosure is about 50 acres. Another spot could scarcely be found in any section of our country so much diversified, and comprising so many distinct objects and combinations going to form a perfect picture of rural beauty. Many who have visited the cemeteries of the North, and even the far famed Mount Auburn, think it far inferior in natural beauty and location to Rose Hill. A prominent feature in its scenery is the Ocmulgee River, along which it extends nearly half of a mile. The banks are from thirty to sixty feet high, and generally rocky and precipitous, and form an impenetrable barrier to its approaches. The higher parts of the ground are nearly level, and laid out as places of interment; other places have been selected by many in the wildest parts almost overhanging the deep valleys. From the river deep and narrow dells penetrate the ground from fifty to two hundred yards, one of them divides it entirely near its centre, through which a rivulet murmurs over a steep and rocky bed to the river. This is supplied by four springs, one at the head, outside the ground and three within it. The water of one is reputed to be the coolest and purest in this vicinity. It is most beautifully located, and is the most attractive spot for visitors. The banks around it are high and steep, and thickly wooded. Above it, tower giant poplars and the shady beech, and the sun can scarcely penetrate a beam to enlighten this quiet and solemn solitude. Seats are provided here for visitors, as well as in many other parts of the ground. Two rustic bridges of rock and earth cross this valley; and in it a pond of about 80 yards in length, by 20 in breadth, has been excavated, supplied by pure water from the springs, and its banks neatly sodded with grass. Around it, are several cypresses and weeping willows and one rises from a mound it its centre. A variety of fine roses are also near it, and in perpetual bloom These are also scattered over the ground, and along the walks and roads, in great profusion. The ridges between the dells are steep, and generally terminate abruptly in rocky cliffs near the river. On their summits are most beautiful sites for burial lots, most of which are occupied. A broad avenue from the gate terminates on a rocky bluff at the river. Carriageways are laid out wherever necessary. One makes the entire circuit of the ground; another winds along the heads of the valleys, and presents most picturesque views. The entire length of the roads and footwalks is about 5 miles. Many of them have been constructed with great labor, being cut into steep sides of the river bank and hills, winding through every place that presents any object of attraction. The lots of families are of different dimensions, from 20 to 40 feet square, and at prices varying from 10 to 30 dollars. About 150 have been allotted for strangers. A record is kept of all the interments, by which the occupant of every grave can be designated. Many of the lots are enclosed with iron and handsomely improved with monuments, and the most choice shrubbery making it emphatically a "Garden of Graves." The first object that strikes a visitor on entering the gate, is a lot belonging to Macon Lodge, No. 96 handsomely enclosed, and planted with evergreen trees and shrubs, many of which are from far-off lands. The oriental cypress, from Asia, raises its graceful spire; the balm of Gilead, Norway and silver figs, the hemlock, arbor vitae, cedar, juniper, and wild olive, the broom and furze and even the humble thorn, from whose branches was plaited the crown worn on Mount Calvary. This sacred ground is appropriated as the resting place to strangers belonging to the Masonic order. The Odd Fellows have also their enclosure, and beside it "that ancient and peculiar people," the Jews, have also their resting place. Most of the Cemetery is thickly wooded by a young and thrifty growth, interspersed with the towering poplar, giant oaks, beech and sycamore; and it is worthy of remark that there is scarcely a tree, shrub, or wild flower, that is known in our country, that may not be found within this area of 50 acres. Among those that most adorn it are the wild honey-suckle in abundance, woodbine, golden hypericum, etc. These, with its improvements and diversified landscape, cannot fail to attract the attention and leave deep impressions on every visitor. The river, murmuring over its rocky bed, wheeling around immovable cliffs of granite and flint, rolling, on and on forever, like the tide of human life, to mingle in the unfathomed and undefined abyss of eternity, imparts an instructive lesson, while the beauties of the scene disarm death of half its terrors."