Hollywood Stars
On the History Highway, Day 12
RICHMOND, Virginia— We couldn't leave Richmond without a visit to the famed Hollywood Cemetery. Named for its profusion of holly trees, this noted burial ground overlooking the James River opened in 1849 and is the final resting place for two U.S. Presidents, the only Confederate President, 22 Confederate generals, and more than 18,000 Confederate soldiers. Our first stop was the cemetery office near the entrance where we obtained a beautiful, full-color map for $1 with a driving tour of noted locations. A blue line painted along the edge of the road helps visitors follow the route.
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Confederate Memorial |
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Monroe Monument |
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Tyler Grave |
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Davis Memorial |
Among its hills and valleys, Hollywood Cemetery also shelters the remains of two Supreme Court justices, six Virginia governors, authors, and other notable citizens, as well as men, women and children from all walks of life. Each had a unique life story, and someone cared enough about each of these people to secure their final resting place in this historic and hallowed graveyard.
ROAD NOISE:
On the way from Richmond to Williamsburg today, we stopped at America's most attractive rest area. Built in 2003 to replace a 1976 facility, the New Kent Rest Area was designed with the traditional colonial style in common use in this historic area. Not only is the design immaculate, so is the maintenance.
Yes, Virginia, there really can be a sparkling clean place for weary travelers to... well, to do what needs to be done. Thanks for proving it!
DAILY STATS:
Miles driven: 93
Weather: 60° to 72°, heavy pollen
States today: 1 (VA)
Letterboxes found: 3
Size of Hollywood Cemetery: 135 acres
Burials: 60,000+
Cost to have your cremated remains laid to rest in President's Circle: $10,000
To put your ashes somewhere else in the cemetery: $1,500
Hollywood's most famous Confederate generals: 2 (J.E.B. Stewart & George Pickett)
More Photos from Hollywood
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Hollywood's greatest irony, directly opposite Jefferson Davis |