Bethel Cemetery

Bethel Cemetery
Location: Knoxville, TN


Bethel Cemetery was an interesting little adventure...



The adventure started when I tried to find the cemetery. That is one flaw, and a very real disadvantage, to the cemetery. The entrance to the cemetery was very easy to miss. In fact, it was so easy to miss that I actually ended up in the wrong cemetery at first. The entrance to the cemetery is a foreboding metal gate with a small sign. The cemetery itself is surround by a chain link fence that is topped with barbed wire. It does not have a welcoming feel. Once I did find it, I was unsure whether I was really supposed to enter. The gate had an elaborate clasp that could scare away any weary visitor. But I was determined, so I figured out the complex gate and managed to enter the cemetery.

Another problem for the cemetery is its limited hours. It is only open on Saturdays from 10am until 3pm. To visit at any other time, you must make an appointment. This could be a very easy deterrent for potential visitors. Luckily, I arrived at the cemetery within it's open hours.

Once I finally made it into the cemetery, I was disappointed by the lack of labels informing me about the cemetery's history. There was a large plaque indicating who was buried in the cemetery, but I would have liked more information. An information pamphlet would have adequately sufficed.




The obvious attraction of the cemetery is the large memorial to thousands of Confederate soldiers. Within the cemetery's four walls are buried 1600 Confederate soldiers and 50 Union soldiers. The monument clearly conveyed the importance of the cemetery. It's large and grandiose structure appropriately memorialized the more than one thousand soldiers buried there. There were also plaques listing the names of all of the Confederate soldiers who are buried there. The names are grouped according to which state the men were from. I thought these plaques were interesting, and I enjoyed searching for any names that might be distant relatives of mine.


Also on the property was an old white house. I think that may be where the grounds keeper lives. The house was actually quite creepy. The whole time I was in the cemetery, I couldn't help but feel like someone could be watching me from its windows.

The grounds were nicely maintained. The landscaping was beautiful and further helped to commemorate the soldiers buried there. It was obvious that someone was actively tending to the grounds because the leaves had all been gathered into large piles and were ready to be bagged. I was thoroughly impressed by the condition of the cemetery.

I don't think I'll be going back to Bethel Cemetery any time soon. The cemetery isn't in a very good part of town, and I wouldn't want to drive out there alone. Although the monument and the grounds were in good condition, the cemetery had a very eerie atmosphere. I am a fan of cemeteries and am not easily creeped out by them, but this one was a bit creepy. Whether it was the lack of any other human presence or the terrifying barbed wire fence, my visit to Bethel Cemetery was not a reflective or inspiring experience.