Westview Cemetery

04/16/2026

Fernbank and Westview: The Emily Harrison Connection

If you ever took a field trip to the Fernbank Science Center when you were in elementary school, or if you’ve ever visited the Fernbank Museum of Natural History and enjoyed walking along the trails in Fernbank Forest, you can thank Emily Harrison, who - along with many of her family members - is buried at Westview in Section 4.

Emily Harrison - daughter of Col. ZD (Zadok Daniel) Harrison, a well-respected attorney and Georgia Supreme Court clerk - was an educationalist, enthusiastic lifelong naturalist/conservationist, and, you might say, a visionary.

After attending Washington Seminary in Atlanta, she went on to study at Radcliffe College, the Sorbonne, and Chicago University. She then worked as the assistant editor at the "Southern Educational Journal" and editor of the women’s department at the "Atlanta Daily News." Later, she served as chair of the Department of Literature at the Georgia State Normal School in Athens, as chair of the English Department at Shorter College, and as chair of the English Department at North Avenue Presbyterian School, which later became Westminster Schools.

In 1915, Harrison decided she needed a formal college degree and went to Chicago to earn a Ph.D. Afterwards and over the next few decades, she sought teaching positions in botany and landscaping at Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School, Piedmont College, Young Harris, and Appalachian State Teachers College. And at the age of 61, she returned to college, yet again, to study forestry and landscape gardening at the University of Georgia.

After her father’s death in 1935 and to avoid seeing her family's beloved woods sold (283 acres bought in 1899 near Clifton Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue), Harrison convinced some of her Druid Hills neighbors to purchase the land for the sum of $35,000 and create a non-profit, Fernbank, Inc.; both to be used to educate children.

In the 1940s, through Fernbank, Harrison offered a six-week “Nature Study School” for children and advocated for various "school in the woods" programs. For decades, she offered her beloved Fernbank woods to host nature programs for the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls, YMCA, YWCA, and day campers; the Girl Scouts, alone, operated a day camp program there for 32 years (1934-1966).

In 1967, Fernbank Science Center was born out of a 40+year-land lease/agreement with the rapidly growing Dekalb County School System. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History followed in 1992. Passing away in 1973, Harrison saw the first of these two come to fruition.

So, the next time you find yourself in or near Fernbank - Science Center, Museum, or Forest - take a moment to not only appreciate your beautiful surroundings, but offer up a "thank you" to the lasting efforts and vision of Harrison. As she once explained in a letter to her parents: “Fernbank was too big and too beautiful for one family's consumption ... The best thing to do with it would be to put it into the lives of children."

Also, too, the next time you are out at Westview, visit Harrison's grave and ponder how much of Atlanta's history resides within the cemetery's gates! Or ask us how many of Asa Candler, Jr.’s big-game trophies once housed here at the cemetery made their way to Fernbank in the 1970s!

(The impetus and bulk of the above was researched and written by Westview's Christia Holloway; all images not Westview's are used for educational purposes only.)

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04/04/2026

To all of our families, Happy Easter!

The abbey will be open tomorrow, Easter Sunday, 10-2; the ground's gates are open during their normal times, 8-5:30.

Too, please remember: balloons are not allowed in the cemetery. They get loose, get tangled in trees, cause issues with airplanes flying above, etc.

All other Easter arrangements will remain on the grounds for one week after the holiday.

03/31/2026

Little Mabb garners some local news coverage. How cool!

Thank you, Thornton!

“The World’s Smallest Man,” Adrien Esmilaire, stood just 27 inches tall and weighed only 20 pounds.

03/26/2026

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: A Little Mabb Connection

Just last month, we posted about Adrien Esmilaire, aka "Little Mabb," and the doll we received from France of his likeness. Well, today, accidentally while trying to ferret out a fact for an upcoming newspaper article, we discovered a hitherto unknown Hollywood Connection.

During Esmilaire's early work in the United States, he worked for a group known as "Les Marechal Midgets," also known as "Les Colibris Bearnais." The group, formed by Oscar Marechal in France in the early part of the 20th century, came to the United States in 1916. Three of the five members were the Bernadet siblings - Marguerite (The Princess Marguerite), Denis (Prince Denis), and Marie-Jeanne (Lady Little, not pictured in the accompanying photo); the other two members were Leona Megest (Duchess Leona), and Esmilaire (Noble Adrien Mab or Little Mabb).

After Esmiliaire's death in 1918, Denis (Bernadet, then Dennison, then Prince Denis) transitioned to vaudeville performances and into film by the 1930s. Just under four-feet tall, Denis is most remembered for his film role as the Munchkin Sergeant-at-Arms in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" (though often erroneously attributed as, sometimes by Denis himself to garner more publicity, the Munckin Mayor). Yet, he appeared in later films - once with Lionel Barrymore and once again in Cecil B. DeMille's 1946 epic "The Greatest Show on Earth."

Denis, 84, died in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 20, 1984.

While the yellow brick road that Denis traveled led to Oz, our yellow-pollen-covered roads lead to Section 8 and "Little Mabb."
.. Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me...

03/24/2026

Saint Mark Stained-Glass, Witham, Candler and the Intersection of History: Westview

It's been awhile since we've posted a historical tidbit about one of our residents; so, today, we thought we'd end that drought by doing two things: talking about our resident William Stuart Witham Sr. and introducing you to our newest staff member, Front Office Associate Christia Holloway, who researched and wrote the bulk of the below.

First up, but in reverse order from the above, Holloway joined us in January, is passionate about history, and is an invaluable addition to our team. In future posts written by her, attribution will be given.

Secondly, Saint Mark and Witham. According to "The Windows of St. Mark United Methodist Church" (1976), Witham, aka "Uncle Billy," who lies in Section 1 at Westview, “was a life-long Methodist and a prominent banker in Atlanta and throughout the state. A devout member of St. Mark [although listed as a member of Peachtree Road UMC in his obituary], he and his wife were instrumental in the building of the new church at Peachtree and Fifth Streets [Saint Mark] and in the raising of funds for this purpose. Their home [3426 Peachtree Street] was located 'far out' in the [then] new section of Atlanta, on Peachtree Street facing Peachtree Place."

But there's another Westview connection...

Asa "Buddie" Candler, Jr., became the director of Westview in 1934, coincidentally, the same year Witham died. Thirty-four years earlier in 1900, twenty-year-old Buddie was sent by his father, Candler Sr., to work in Witham’s cotton mill in Hartwell, Georgia, where Candler, Sr., had a controlling interest. (Witham was both a friend of the family and a business associate.) Buddie started at the mill as a bookkeeper and was eventually promoted to secretary and treasurer, before he came back to Atlanta.

It was also in Hartwell where Buddie would meet his first wife Helen Magill. After her death due to cancer in 1927 and just a few short months later, much to the dismay of his children, Buddie would marry his secretary, Florence Adeline Stephenson, who co-managed Westview's affairs. Florence is the namesake of the memorial chapel in Westview’s Abbey.

It isn't known if Buddie attended Uncle Billy’s funeral in 1934, but if he did, it had to have brought back memories of Hartwell - good or bad.

Buddie, Helen, and Florence are buried at Westview in Section 2 just across from Uncle Billy's section.

If you have some time, come out and visit Uncle Billy, Candler Sr., Jr., Helen, Florence, or the chapel that bears the latter's name. See how history interconnects. And be sure to stop in and introduce yourself to Christia Holloway, too.

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02/27/2026

Phoenix Flies: Free Events at Westview - Bus Tours, a Rest Haven Walking Tour, and a Victorian Section Walking Tour

Sunday, March 1, marks the start of the Atlanta Preservation Center's "2026 Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta's Historic Sites."

Celebrating its 23rd year, Phoenix Flies allows visitors free access throughout the month of March to more than 200 events across the city that showcase Atlanta's historic built environment. Three of those events are free tours at Westview! Sign up here: https://phoenixflies.plotsyft.com/

Tour 1: "Largest Cemetery in the Southeast: Westview by Bus"

Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10, 2 p.m. (seats limited)

Come learn about the lives of many important Atlantans like Joel Chandler Harris, Lemuel Pratt Grant, Donald Lee Hollowell, Asa Candler and Harriett Harwell Wilson High while enjoying beautiful sculptures and historic structures. Tours will include the outside of the 1890 Gatehouse and the inside of the massive Spanish Plateresque Westview Abbey and chapel.

Tour 2: "Rediscovering Rest Haven: Westview Cemetery's Historically Black Burial Section" (accidentally listed in PF booklet as "Rest Haven Cemetery")

Wednesday, March 25, 2 p.m. (rain permitting)

Explore the cemetery's historically Black burial section, Rest Haven. Located in the southeastern corner of the cemetery, its several acres were designed so that graves were clustered around three avenues – East Haven, Central and West Haven. As some of this tour is through forested trails, please wear appropriate footwear.

Tour 3: "Where History is Buried: Westview Cemetery Guided Tour"

Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m. (rain permitting)

Led by Jeff Clemmons - author of "Atlanta's Historic Westview Cemetery" (History Press, 2018) - the guided walking tour is a 1.5-mile trek through some of the cemetery's most historic sections and ends with a visit to Westview Abbey. With a history spanning 141 years, there is much to discuss and learn at Westview, which still has nearly 300 acres to expand upon.

These three tours are free of charge, although registration is required: preserveatl.eventbrite.com. Bus tour starts at the Bowen Administration Building, the other tours start at Westview's 1890 gatehouse.

If the tours are fully booked, please note that both are given throughout the year.

02/14/2026

Little Mabb Continues His Press Run

Adrien Esmilaire, aka "Little Mabb," continues to garner press in his native village, Croismare. (see yesterday's post)

Below is Director of Administration Jeff Clemmons's translation from French of the attached flyer. Be kind, he is not a professional translator. Nuances may have been lost.

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NEWS

Adrien Esmilaire: a memory rediscovered all the way to America.

For a long time in Croismare, some older residents recounted that Adrien Esmilaire had disappeared in a shipwreck in the Atlantic during a voyage.

The reality is less romantic: Adrien Esmilaire died on October 18, 1918, in an Atlanta hospital, from the Spanish flu, as attested by official records and his death certificate.

While talking with the village elders, Catherine Monnet, our town clerk, heard the rumors surrounding Adrien Esmilaire's fate.

Intrigued, she began her research. By typing "Adrien Esmilaire dead," she discovered an article by Jeff Clemmons of the Atlanta Cemetery (USA), who was indignant [wanted more] about the modest state of Adrien's grave, contrasting sharply with the imposing monuments nearby.

Catherine then contacted Jeff, and a correspondence ensued. He, in possession of the death certificate, which mistakenly listed a birth in Paris, was surprised to learn that Adrien was actually born in Croismare. Happy to reconnect with his native village, Jeff [with the help of Westview’s President Charles Bowen and Director of PR (sales) Grant Myers] decided to give him a more dignified burial, which has since become a place of remembrance for many people.

Touched by this story, Ginette Weyer, an artist from the village, created a life-size doll of Adrien, which was sent to Atlanta in a shipping crate made by Jacques Ricatte, a passionate woodworker—a gesture of craftsmanship and solidarity that deeply moved Jeff.

Since then, exchanges have continued between Atlanta and Croismare: more than a century later, Adrien's epic journey continues to bring the two sides of the Atlantic closer together.

Arriving in Atlanta, Jeff was overjoyed to see him.

02/13/2026

'Little Mabb,' Grande Vie: Adrien Esmilaire

In 2015, historian and author Jeff Clemmons, then working for Troutman Sanders LLP, was gathering information for his book "Atlanta's Historic Westview Cemetery" (History Press, 2018). To blow off some steam after a long day of work followed by research, he'd watch one of his favorite television shows - the horror anthology, "American Horror Story."

That year, the show's season - "Freak Show" - was about one of the last "freak shows" existing and struggling for relevance in the United States in 1952. Aside from starring Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, John Carroll Lynch, Evan Peters, and several others, one of the most unique cast members was Jyoti Amge.

Amge, an Indian actress who stands just under 25 inches tall and touted as the shortest living women by Guinness World Records, fascinated Clemmons. He had just discovered Adrien Esmilaire, aka "Little Mabb," who stood only 27 inches tall and was buried at Westview.

Esmilaire, a French circus performer, was in Atlanta performing at Lakewood park with the Johnny J. Jones Exposition when he died of the Spanish Influenza at Crawford Long Hospital on October 18, 1918; he was buried in Section 8 at Westview the following day.

Both Amge and Esmilaire had the same genetic condition - primordial dwarfism.

Fast-forward to 2021.

Clemmons - after a stint at Georgia Power, publishing his Westview book, and getting the cemetery placed on the State and National Historic Registers - now worked at Westview. There, he had more time to ferret out information about those who had intrigued him during his book research and writing. Esmilaire was one of those he wanted more information on.

Not long after Clemmons started at Westview, Catherine Monnet, town secretary of Croismare, France, reached out to him; she was looking for Esmilaire's grave, and Clemmons was looking for Esmilaire's hometown or village. Both - elated with finding each other - got their answers. And the two began a friendship, communicating via Google Translate.

In 2017, Westview had placed a small marker on Esmilaire's grave, but in 2022 Westview erected a much larger marker with a life-size image of Esmilaire on it. Clemmons, Westview President Charles Bowen, PR Director (sales) Grant Myers, and other staff thought the tribute to "Little Mabb" would make a fascinating spot to visit in the cemetery and would be a wonderful way to remember Esmilaire's life and legacy.

Monnet in Croismare, France, and other townspeople were also ecstatic with the new marker; Little Mabb's history had come full circle and two locales connected.

One of the townspeople thrilled over all that had transpired was retired teacher and artist Ginette Weyer. Weyer, who, incidentally, lives in Esmilaire's childhood home, had, years ago, created a life-size doll of Esmilaire for display in the village. But last month, Weyer, with the full backing and help of Monnet, decided to gift her "Little Mabb/Adrien Esmilaire" doll to Westview for display in its offices and for future installation in its 1890 gatehouse museum.

Last Thursday, "Esmilaire" was sent from France to Atlanta via a special wooden crate made by Croismare-woodworking-enthusiast Jacques Ricatte. While Esmilaire was in route, the "L'Est Républicain Lunéville" newspaper ran an article about the events above mentioned. (See below for link and translation.)

Today, Clemmons - excited like a child on Christmas morning - received the doll, uncrated him, and took "Little Mabb" to meet "Little Mabb." It was a full-circle moment years in the making.

The entire staff at Westview is humbled by this gift from Weyer and is indebted to Monnet and the villagers of Croismare for their efforts in making this happen.

May Adrien Esmilaire's "little" life loom large. May his memory endure. May you all come visit him for yourself.

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02/05/2026

Celebrating Black History Month with Westview Residents!

Every year, Black History Month is celebrated across the United States in February to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who helped shape the nation.

The precursor to the month-long celebration started in 1926 as the Negro History Week to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and abolitionist, orator, and author Frederick Douglass (February 14).

In 1976 during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

This year, as in years past, Westview would like to list some of the notable Black Americans that reside in the cemetery. (This is not an exhaustive list.)

Too, be sure to sign up on the Atlanta Preservation Center's Website for the upcoming tour of Rest Haven, Westview's historically Black section, during this year's Phoenix Flies celebration on March 25.

Westview Notables:
* Darrow Bronner - Bronner Brothers’ International Beauty Show director, and professional sales/marketing director
* Nathaniel Bronner - Bronner Bros. founder and president
* Roderick Burton, II - rapper, known as "Dolla"
* Lecresia Campbell - gospel singer
* Herman Cain - businessman, politician
* Josephine Cook - Fulton County Superior Court judge
* Howard Creecy, Jr. - pastor, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) president
* Howard Creecy, Sr. - minister, founder of Olivet Church
* Bill (Billy Ray) Ellis - S.O.S. Band founding member
* Vernon Forrest - U.S. Olympic and professional boxer
* Annie (A.D.) Hall - actresses Phylicia Rashad and "Debbie Allen" Nixon's grandmother, union organizer
* Alice J. Hawthorne - Centennial Olympic Games bombing victim
* Andrew Hill, Sr. - Peters Land Company employee, landowner
* Lula Hill - successful dress maker
* Robert Hightower – Georgia’s first African American state trooper, Division Director of Driver Services
* Donald Lee Hollowell - civil rights attorney
* Dr. Louise Thornton Hollowell - professor
* Arthur Leroy Idlett - Atlanta Black Crackers player, school principal
* Duane Jones - actor
* Rev. N. J. Jones- creator of the Colored Men’s Protective Association (CMPA)
* Vivian Jones - one of the first two African American students at the University of Alabama, and its first African American graduate
* James "Chris" Kelly - half of the rap duo Kris Kross
* Evelyn Lowery - civil rights activist, SCLC/WOMEN founder
* Joseph Lowery - minister, civil rights activist, SCLC president, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
* William Lucas - Atlanta Braves general manager, first African American to hold executive position in MLB
* James “Jim” Mitchell - NFL Atlanta Falcons player
* James Paschal - Paschal's Motor Hotel and Restaurant co-founder
* Robert Paschal - Paschal's Motor Hotel and Restaurant co-founder
* Dr. James Palmer - Civil Rights physician
* Cleo "Clayton" Powell, Sr. - first Black doctor of optometry to join the Georgia Optometric Association, vice president of the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP
* Romae Powell - first African American Georgia state court judge
* Harry V. B. Richardson - theologian, writer, first president of the Interdenominational Theological Center
* Nicolas Rogers - NFL player
* John Shepherd - first registered African American State of Georgia professional engineer
* C.T. Vivian - minister, author, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
* Horace Ward - first African American federal court judge in Georgia
* J. Lowell Ware - Atlanta Voice editor
* Lottie Watkins - businesswoman, first African American female
licensed real estate broker in Atlanta
* Wendell Phillips Whalum, Sr. - composer, head of music at Morehouse College
* Rico Wade - music producer, hip hop pioneer, and member of Organized Noize

(All photos used for educational purposes)

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01/31/2026

Due to the weather and for the safety of our staff, families, and guests, we will be closing the office and grounds early today.

We will reopen at our regular times on Monday morning.

01/25/2026

Out of an abundance of caution, we will open tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

If conditions worsen overnight, we may alter that time and/or remain closed.

Please check back here for any update or call the office and get a "live" person before driving to us; our nineteen miles of roads don't often thaw as quickly as public roads do.

Most importantly, stay safe.

01/25/2026

Due to the weather, our gates are closed.

We are monitoring the situation to see if we will open delayed or at all tomorrow, Monday, January 26.

Thank you for your understanding.