Old Settler's Cemetery (ca. 1768)

As the name implies, Old Settler's Cemetery was created as a burial place for the some of the early settlers of Charlotte, with interments beginning before the city's establishment in 1768. The cemetery was laid out next to the town's early nondenominational church, now the site of First Presbyterian Church. Old Settler's Cemetery received interments for more than 100 years until the creation of its successor, Historic Elmwood Cemetery. The cemetery now serves as a green space nestled between churches and skyscrapers, and a continuous reminder of our city's history.

Many of Charlotte's early and prominent families are buried in Old Settler's, including:

• The Polk family, including Colonel Thomas Polk, great-uncle of President James K. Polk and a signer of the disputed Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence 

• The Graham family, including Major General George Graham, veteran of the Battle of McIntyre Farm (1780)

• The Davidson family

• The Caldwell family

• The Wilkinson family

• The Irwin family

Learn more and take a virtual tour

Old Settler's Cemetery is inactive and does not accept new interments.