Georgiana Cemetery

DID YOU KNOW

Georgiana Cemetery

THANKS TO FLORIDA’S PIONEERS

Cemeteries themselves have an alluring appeal, and amp up even more so during Halloween time. I thought it would be interesting to research some of the oldest ones located within the 321. It didn’t take long before I found one, I didn’t even know about…The Georgiana Cemetery.

Did you know there used to be a town called Georgiana on Merritt Island? The town itself has been long gone, but its history remains, including its cemetery. The Georgiana Cemetery is located on Crooked Mile Road which is off the scenic route of Tropical Trail. It is also known as the Crooked Mile Cemetery.

Surrounded by houses on all sides, there is a graveyard which dates back to the mid-1800s. Underneath the old tall oak trees and the Spanish moss that adorns them, lies many soldiers from the Civil War as well as both World Wars. Alongside them, are some of the original settlers that founded this area as well as more recent citizens within the community.

Walking through the cemetery, you’ll see tombstones that have withstood the test of time as well as Florida’s heat and weather. You’ll also notice some graves have stuffed animals around them, I found these were mostly the graves of children.

One tombstone in particular, a handmade one, that people visit is that of Ethel Allen. Ethel was the victim of a gruesome murder where her body was found mutilated in the Indian River in 1934. Her killer was never found. At the young age of 19, she was laid to rest in the Georgiana Cemetery, but it is believed she still walks the grounds and is the ghost which haunts the cemetery.

If you’d like to visit the Georgiana Cemetery you are free to do so during the daytime. The cemetery is closed at night. Just down the road from the cemetery is the Georgianna Church which was built in 1886 and still holds services to this day. You’ll also find a historical marker about the Georgiana Railway that connected the Indian and Banana Rivers. Across from the church is the Provost Hall, built in 1910.

I hope you enjoyed these interesting facts about our island in the 321! If you visit the locations, post pictures on Florida’s 321 social media pages, I would love to see your explorations!