Greenville Cemetery Marks 572 Previously Unidentified Graves
The Upstate Cemetery Preservation Alliance identified and marked hundreds of unmarked burial sites in Springwood Cemetery.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Upstate Cemetery Preservation Alliance has marked 572 previously unidentified graves in Section V of Springwood Cemetery. Researchers utilized ground-penetrating radar to locate the sites in an area that historically served as a potter's field.
Why it matters
The project aims to honor the lives of individuals buried in the potter's field, which catered to African Americans and indigent whites. It addresses a significant historical gap in the documentation of the 30-acre cemetery.
A $3,000 radar study enabled the marking of 572 graves, significantly expanding on the 13 previously marked headstones dating from 1863 to 1900. Researchers estimate that 2,000 total unmarked graves exist in Section V of the 10,000-grave cemetery.
The players
Upstate Cemetery Preservation Alliance
This organization is dedicated to identifying and preserving historical burial sites in the region.
Omega Mapping
Based in Forston, Georgia, this firm specializes in using ground-penetrating radar to locate subsurface structures.
Nat Greene Landscape Co.
This company handles landscape installation and maintenance services in the Greenville area.
The details
Omega Mapping performed the radar study to identify the locations, after which Nat Greene Landscape Co. installed markers for the graves. The section previously saw significant disruption from road construction in 1957 and the 1969 relocation of 250 graves for an Academy Street extension.
Timeline
1812: The cemetery's first burial occurred.
1863-1900: Dates associated with 13 existing headstones.
1957: Church Street widening prompted grave relocations.
1969: Academy Street extension resulted in moving 250 graves.
October 2026: Markers were installed for the 572 graves.
Market Landscape
The effort mirrors a growing national movement to formalize the historical status of potter's fields once used for the indigent and marginalized. By marking these sites, the alliance shifts local awareness toward recognizing the histories of communities often displaced by urban growth.
Residents visiting Springwood Cemetery will now see clearly marked sites where previously there was only ground or scattered stones. This initiative clarifies the cemetery's layout for visitors and ensures the grounds are treated with appropriate care.
The takeaway
This project highlights how modern technology can help correct historical omissions by physically validating the presence of forgotten individuals. Local groups can take note of these preservation methods to advocate for the recognition of historically neglected landmarks in their own communities.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support historical site maintenance in the Greenville Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Herald.
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