Not long ago, after pestering a previous office coworker about historic resources, I was connected with Luis since he not only a) loved cemeteries but b) had a wealth of old Athens knowledge. We met for coffee on a chilly afternoon and we talked for hours. I am so glad that happened! Another cemetery explorin’ friend for the win!
Luis works for both Oconee Hill Cemetery (y’all know it’s a favorite) and Historic Athens doing tours and historical research among many other things. He gave our entire office a private tour last October and will often lead local tours of the cemetery for public events and by appointment only for private tours.
I sat down with Luis quite a while ago and he’s been patiently waiting for this interview to drop. Sorry Luis! It’s my first time trying to create this type experience and since we chatted for well over an hour and a half, I had lots of notes to go through! I’ll definitely have to bring him back for another interview because I need to be more structured and consistent with these. And he’s doing so many cool things that he will have lots of new stories to share. But, for now, the inaugural post is finally here and I’m delighted to introduce one of the nicest, quick-witted, dedicated and fun folks I’ve met in a long, long time: LUIS! *drumroll*
So, How Did You become involved in cemetery work?
“I’ve always had a terrible answer because it really was a world worth of things. I really was just going to look at a view from (Oconee Hill Cemetery) found in my The Tangible Past book, which is about this little girl who’s a refugee from the Civil War from Mississippi, I think. And it’s her description of the Tanyard Branch, sitting on top of West Hill. I was like, well, that view’s probably still there today. And I was there, and then Don Smith (previous manager of Oconee Hill Cemetery) was like, oh, you have The Tangible Past, why do you have that? And I was like, well, I’m interested in that and its history. And I walk people around sometimes and point things to them. It’s like, oh, we need a tour guide if you’re ever interested. And that’s kind of how everything started. And then it turned into, he sent me Charlotte Marshall Thomas’ videos. It’s like, make an outline of a tour using this. And that’s how I started learning about funerary art and cemetery art.”
Tell me about how athens has changed over the years, from a historical structure perspective?
I asked Luis about what he’s discovered in his research and I condensed some information he shared:
Oconee Hill today is far more manicured than in its early days, which were characterized by wild vegetation and dirt/slat walking paths.
The area opposite the cemetery once featured grand mansions and estates like the Lucas House and Stephen Thomas House which have been replaced by modern buildings like Baldwin Hall and St. Ruth’s Stadium.
Downtown Athens, while preserving some facades, has lost significant architecture, including DuPree Hall (first opera house) and the Colonial Theater.
You can absolutely learn more about the homes and places mentioned via Historic Athens!
And speaking of change, what Have you seen change in Public Interest in regards to your overall tours?
Contrary to expectations, overall interest in Civil War history is declining among tour participants. Instead, visitors are increasingly drawn to such topics:
The lives of local entrepreneurs, architects, and builders who shaped Athens during the Gilded Age and early 20th century.
Human interest stories of all types are on the rise. People want to know more about people!
Urban and social history, including the development of neighborhoods, civic infrastructure and non-university-related legacies.
According to Luis, many visitors really don’t know about the town much outside of the University of Georgia. “And while the town has always had this strong connection to the school, it has always had its own thing. Town and gown. [I]t’s always been more than UGA. It’s more than the sum of UGA for sure. [And] people who built the buildings like went there, but they were doing their own businesses completely outside of the school. They may have been alumni, but here are a lot of interesting things outside of the school. Like my favorite stories to tell is the Max Joseph and Michael Brothers building. How it’s built by Neil Reed because of a fire in 1923. There’s just a lot of really interesting stories that people want to hear now that are outside of the school.”
“[Y]ou get the classic, you know, oh, is he on the football team? Or when they ask about the [old train] trestles and watching the games on the railroad tracks. But I’ve been really surprised how much people want to know about the town. And, which has been great for me because that’s what I’ve been researching for a very long time, is how the town is built and how these people built the town. So that has been a big surprise to me, how much people want to learn about Athens itself rather than just the school!”
“Oh, and the double barrel cannon, the tree that owns itself are the other two big questions.”
When giving Cemetery tours, what spots/stories would you say are the most interesting?
Jewish funerary practices and the unusual Egyptian mausoleums of Jacob and Benjamin Morris (built 1912), which contrast with traditional Jewish burial customs emphasizing simplicity and return to dust.
Henry Busey, an immigrant who became Athens’ mayor and its first volunteer fire captain. He’s quite the figure of relevance in modern discussions about immigration.
Robert Bloomfield, a post-Civil War merchant whose donations helped rebuild churches and community institutions.
Smithsonian Plantation mausoleum, where the owners use of reviled convict labor led to his burial isolation for decades.
The receiving vault, where bodies were stored during harsh weather.
The Librarian in me has to ask about your favorite recommended reads about athens. Short list?
Annals of Athens
A Tangible Past of Athens
Memories of Athens
A Pictorial History of Athens
Postcard History of Athens
Athens’ Street Names and Neighborhoods
Across the River – new book on East Side Athens history, vital for understanding a historically underserved community.
Crimson and Gold – favorite book, chronicling Athens’ high school integration through football, with personal and historical depth.
Any shoutouts to those giving you ideas and support?
Charlotte Marshall Thomas, “the cemetery lady,” whose meticulous documentation laid the foundation of his work. Luis calls himself a “moocher” of her research but having known him for a while now, he’s definitely making his own path!
Doc Elridge, his supportive boss at the cemetery.
Megan McPherson and Annabelle Berry of the Athens Historical Society, who helped launch the first successful tour (over 120 attendees).
Georgia Trust, which recently offered institutional support.
Cemeteries you’re dying to visit?
“Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta and Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.”
Final question, when folks take your tour should they expect a traditional style tour?
“[I want to] embrace the peculiar tragic and humorous elements of human existence. We’ve been doing weird stuff for a long time—and we’ll keep doing it.”
Again, big thanks to Luis. Please contact him lvincentevazquez1@gmail.com to arrange a tour. You’ll have an excellent time and learn a lot!
He’s also working on a number of research projects including this one. Mark your calendars! “Fred Birchmore: Athens’ Most Interesting Man” on display from April 12th-19th at the Historic Athens Welcome Center. A free opening reception will be held on Sunday, April 12th from 10am-12pm. View the exhibit, meet the exhibit curators, enjoy coffee service from Java Joy’s fabulous Joyristas, and tour the historic Church-Waddel-Brumby House during your visit.
On a personal note, Luis is heavily involved in community theatre. He’s currently performing in One Man, Two Guvnors here in Athens and would love it if you would attend. AthensCreativeTheatre
Want to be featured on Spirited Conversations? Email me! southerncemeteryseries@gmail.com
