Land Area
Old Carrboro Cemetery is comprised of 2.40 acres of land.
History Overview
Old Carrboro Cemetery is the Town’s oldest burial ground, with historical roots dating back to the mid-19th century. Although the land was formally donated to the Town by Dr. Foy Roberson in 1910, records indicate that the cemetery was established around 1860, making it a significant part of Carrboro’s heritage.
A study funded by The Preservation Society of Chapel Hill titled A Segregated Part of Heaven: The History of the West Chapel Hill Cemetery, notes that Old Carrboro Cemetery served as the primary burial site for Black residents of Carrboro during segregation.
- The earliest known burial is that of Charles Hudson McDade in 1860
- The cemetery contains numerous unmarked graves, reflecting its long and complex history
- From 1975 to 1991, burials were temporarily suspended
- In January 1991, the Carrboro Town Council passed a resolution to reopen the cemetery, allowing burials in approximately 130 remaining plots
Old Carrboro Cemetery stands today as a place of remembrance and reflection, honoring generations of Carrboro residents.
Location
The cemetery is located at 110 Old Cemetery Road, just off the Libba Cotton Greenway.