Assemblage on vintage hinged film plate holder.  Size 6” x 18”.  Photographs from Holt Cemetery in New Orleans.  

Holt Cemetery was originally established to replace the defunct Locust Grove Cemeteries No. 1 and No. 2 on Freret St. that had been used to bury the indigent dead.  The land acquired for Holt Cemetery was desirable as it was remote and sat high on the Metairie Ridge.  At the time it was considered a health issue to have this cemetery located on the outskirts of the city because it was thought yellow fever and malaria were spread by the carrying of infected corpses through populated areas.   

Holt Cemetery now sits behind Delgado Community College and is considered one of the more interesting burial grounds in New Orleans.  Not because of any stately tombs or graves, but because of the uniqueness of the markers and gravestones.  Most are humble and primitive but in all, you can see love. Many are changed as the seasons change and holidays are celebrated.  Some citizens in New Orleans have complained that Holt needs to be “cleaned up”, but anyone with vision can see what is truly going on here.  Generations taking care of their ancestors’ place of rest the best way they can.  This is a place for indigent burials, so little money is usually not spent on the monument or grave marker.  But imagine what silk and plastic flowers, dolls, Mardi Gras beads and a little plywood and paint can provide a handy relative. It is quite stunning at times.  There are no famous or rich buried in Holt Cemetery, with the exception of the great jazz coronet player, Buddy Bolden, who played in the Storyville district.  Unfortunately, record keeping was not the greatest and other burials were allowed to take place on top of Bolden and so the exact location of his resting place is unknown in Holt.  But a memorial plaque was dedicated to his memory in 1996 with Jelly Roll Morton’s assessment inscribed on it, “The blowingest man since Gabriel”.  Holt Cemetery is well worth a visit. Features include Victorian fabrics and laces, religious icons, rosaries and medals from the estate of a 95 year old N.O. woman.

$75