Holly Oak Cemetery

---

Site Brief:

Founded: 1800s

Location: Pineville, LA

Additional name(s): None

Affiliate group(s): None

 

---

History:

Holly Oak is one of the oldest African American cemeteries in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Data has shown that enslaved people were buried in this cemetery, dating back to the 1800s. The cemetery, which is located in Pineville, is regarded as the most historic Black cemetery in Central Louisiana. The Holly Oak cemetery is the burial ground for many important people that had a significant impact on the community. Occupations of those buried at Holly Oak included things such as doctors, soldiers, teachers, lawyers, and civil right leaders. It is rumored that there is a mass grave of African American WWII soldiers buried in the Holly Oak Cemetery, due to the Lee Street Riot. The riot that took place Jan. 10, 1942, on Lee Street in Alexandria.  

This cemetery has many, many sunken and lost burials, some under weeds, some under water, some hidden in brush and nearby woods & brush. Residents that live on Holly Oak Street, as well as members of local churches in the area, have been working together to try and restore the cemetery.  

---

Resource links:

• Lee Street 1942 incident mass grave: Radar search of cemetery launched (thetowntalk.com)

• Lee Street Riot: Experts look at rumored mass grave site at Holly Oak Cemetery in Pineville (kalb.com)

• USM Gulf Park Faculty Members to Search Louisiana Cemetery Oct. 27 for Rumored Mass Grave | The University of Southern Mississippi

---

BCN Contact Information:

Wanda Johnson

Wanda.johnson7477@yahoo.com