What is the most famous statue in Bonaventure Cemetery?

The most famous statue in Bonaventure Cemetery is Little Gracie Watson, a life-sized marble sculpture of a young girl by John Walz, known for its detailed artistry and being a major tourist draw, though the Bird Girl statue, popularized by Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is also iconic but now located at the Telfair Academy. While the Bird Girl is famous from the book cover, Gracie Watson's statue remains a constantly visited, beloved, and emotionally resonant landmark within the cemetery itself, often decorated with gifts.

What is the most famous grave in Bonaventure Cemetery?

The most famous and visited grave in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, is that of Little Gracie Watson, marked by a poignant life-size statue of the six-year-old girl who died of pneumonia in 1889, with visitors leaving toys and tokens at her wrought-iron fenced memorial. Other notable figures buried there include songwriter Johnny Mercer and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Conrad Aiken, but Gracie's story and statue draw the most attention.
 

Why was the Bird Girl statue removed?

That magic happened in the darkroom as Leigh used the techniques of dodging and burning to craft the sole image that he sent to Random House. After the book's success, Bonaventure and the Trosdal lot were inundated with tourists, and Bird Girl was removed from the cemetery.

Who is the famous girl in Bonaventure Cemetery?

One of the most visited grave sites in Bonaventure Cemetery is that of 'Little Gracie'. Her story has captivated visitors to Bonaventure Cemetery for over 100 years. The wrought iron fence surrounding her grave site is often adorned with little gifts left by people who were touched by the story of Little Gracie.

Is the Bird Girl statue still in Bonaventure Cemetery?

Made famous thanks in part to the cover of the novel, Bonaventure Cemetery was the original home of the Bird Girl statue. Now relocated to the Telfair Academy Museum, this hauntingly beautiful statue is now on display for all to see.

Two most visited graves in Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery

What movie was filmed in Bonaventure Cemetery?

Bonaventure Cemetery is famously featured in the book and 1997 movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," directed by Clint Eastwood and starring John Cusack and Kevin Spacey, as a key setting for the true-crime story of Jim Williams and the murder trial, with iconic scenes filmed there, including where the famous "Bird Girl" statue once stood. The beautiful, historic cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, is a major tourist attraction due to its role in the popular novel and film, attracting visitors interested in its gothic atmosphere and literary connections.
 

What is the most visited grave ever?

There isn't one definitive "most visited grave," but sites like Père Lachaise Cemetery (Paris), John F. Kennedy's grave (Arlington), and mausoleums for figures like Lenin (Moscow) or Marilyn Monroe (Los Angeles) consistently rank high, with recent, extraordinary surges reported for Kenyan politician Raila Odinga's grave (Bondo, Kenya) in late 2025, drawing millions in a short period. 

Is The Savannah Haunting a true story?

Yes, A Savannah Haunting (2021) is based on the true paranormal experiences of director William Mark McCullough and his family in their actual Savannah, Georgia home, featuring real hauntings that intensified during filming, including demonic activity, unseen forces, and unexplained events tied to the property's history of slavery and plantation life. The film blends fictional characters' struggles with a supernatural family drama with documented phenomena that occurred in the house, leading to the creation of a companion documentary. 

What rapper is from Savannah, Georgia?

Antwan André Patton (born February 1, 1975), known professionally as Big Boi, is an American rapper and record producer. Born in Savannah, Georgia, and raised in Atlanta, he was one half of the Southern hip-hop duo Outkast along with rapper André 3000, which the two formed in 1992. Savannah, Georgia, U.S.

Why did they remove Marilyn Monroe's statue?

The move comes after the Committee to Relocate Marilyn sued the city, claiming the statue's placement illegally blocked Museum Way and obstructed the view of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Standing 26 feet tall and weighing 17 tons, the sculpture has been a focal point—and a source of controversy—since its installation.

What's the story behind Savannah's waving girl?

Over the years, many have come up with fanciful explanations for why Florence waved at the passing ships. Locals claim that in 1887, Florence fell in love with a naval officer who sailed away but promised to return. To help him spot her, she started standing by the river and gesturing at the moving vessels.

Who is the most famous person from Savannah, GA?

While "most famous" is subjective, Johnny Mercer, the Oscar-winning songwriter ("Moon River") and Capitol Records co-founder, and Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America, are consistently cited as Savannah's most globally recognized natives, alongside music legends like Gregg Allman (Allman Brothers Band) and notable authors like Conrad Aiken.
 

How many bodies are buried under Savannah?

Ghost Hunts also ranks Savannah at #2, noting, Savannah, GA could possibly be America's most haunted city. A city built on its dead, there are rumored to be over 20,000 bodies buried beneath the Historic Downtown District.

Are Jack Smurl and Janet Smurl still alive?

The 2025 horror film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, offers a loosely adapted portrayal of the Smurl haunting. Jack Smurl died in 2017 and Janet Smurl died in 2026.

Do any famous people live in Savannah, GA?

Food Network superstar Paula Deen loves living and cooking in Savannah. The author of five best-selling Southern-themed cookbooks, Deen is an Emmy Award-winning television personality who owns and operates The Lady & Sons Restaurant in Savannah with her sons, Jamie and Bobby.

What is the scariest movie based on a true story?

There's no single "most" horror movie based on a true story, as it's subjective, but top contenders often cited for their chilling realism and inspiration include The Conjuring (based on Ed & Lorraine Warren's cases), The Exorcist (inspired by a 1940s exorcism), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (loosely inspired by serial killer Ed Gein), and Zodiac (about the unsolved Zodiac Killer). Other popular choices involve real hauntings like Amityville Horror, serial killers like Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, or terrifying survival stories like Open Water.
 

What does 3 pennies on a grave mean?

The tradition of leaving coins on military veterans tombstones have a distinct meaning. A coin left on a headstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier's family. Leaving a Penny at the grave means simply that you visited.

Has anyone ever woken up in a grave?

Though tales of people mistakenly declared dead garner widespread attention when they do occur, the grave error is exceedingly uncommon. "Waking up dead in your coffin is vanishingly rare," Dr. Stephen Hughes, a senior lecturer at the Anglia Ruskin University School of Medicine, told NPR.

What is the most guarded grave in the world?

Since then, the bodies of unidentified soldiers from subsequent American wars have been installed in the tomb, which is guarded 24 hours a day. Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbol of respect for those who have served and died without recognition.

Was Forrest Gump filmed in Savannah?

Yes, Forrest Gump was filmed in Savannah, Georgia, most famously in Chippewa Square for the iconic bench scenes, though the actual bench is now at the Savannah History Museum. Other Savannah locations used include Love's Seafood (Jenny's truck stop performance) and the former Debi's Restaurant (another diner scene).
 

Why is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil banned?

Especially when you consider that the banning took place in North Dakota, a traditionally red state. In 2009, a North Dakota high school banned Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, claiming it was too pornographic for high school students.