Old Gray Cemetery
This stop in your epic Knoxville adventure can be found off of Broadway Street, at the Old Gray Cemetery. This historic and highly scenic local cemetery is actually the second oldest cemetery in Knoxville, established in 1850 and holding the graves of some of Knoxville’s most influential citizens, such as William Brownlow and Charles McClung. Explore all the history, culture, and natural beauty within these 13 acres of cemetery land as you take in an important example of cemetery planning and design during the garden movement in this state. Stroll or drive through the winding avenues of Old Gray and admire the outstanding Victorian art and architecture seen throughout the area. Enjoy the eclectic yet relaxing mixture of unmarked graves, massive monuments, and honorable massive mausoleums.
Old Gray was named after Thomas Gray, an English poet whose particular poem of inspiration included the fitting line "Now fades the glimmering landscape on this site." The landscape here is filled with trees, massive oaks and hackberry trees standing as living witnesses to a pre-Civil War Knoxville. The land Old Gray is sitting on has been used as Indian lands, pastures, parks, and now the final resting place, giving visitors a great glimpse on Knoxville’s past and present. Enjoy the Arboretum before you leave, many local marble stones strewn about the cemetery identifying the botanical and common names of the over 40 trees found on site. You can also search for your own family history here, or just stroll along and pay respects to those who have passed.
