Tucked away beneath the sprawling canopies of moss-draped oaks and guarded by timeworn statues lies a resting place with more than just historical significance. Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Florida, is not your average graveyard. Beyond the ornate headstones and peaceful bouquets lies a story woven with the threads of war, tragedy, and—some say—restless spirits still lingering in the shade. This cemetery isn’t only a memorial to those who came before us—it’s a bridge into Florida’s forgotten past and a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts seeking ghostly encounters. If you’re in love with silent whispers from bygone eras and the thrill of unexplained phenomena, then Greenwood Cemetery is your next stop.
The History
Established Roots: Greenwood’s Beginning
Greenwood Cemetery was established in 1880, the same year Orlando was officially incorporated as a city. At that time, the small but growing population of this Central Florida town needed a dignified resting place for its departed citizens. The city purchased a 100-acre parcel of land southeast of downtown, which would become what we now know as Greenwood Cemetery.
Designed in the style of a Victorian rural cemetery, Greenwood was meant to be more than just a burial ground—it was a solemn park designed for contemplation and beauty, complete with tree-lined avenues and gently winding paths. Through the decades, the cemetery has expanded and evolved, now boasting over 100 acres and 70,000+ burial plots. It’s still an active cemetery today, serving both historical and modern communities of Orlando.
Resting Place of Orlando’s Pioneers
The cemetery holds the remains of many of Orlando’s early movers and shakers: founders, mayors, war veterans, and other influential figures who shaped the city’s early development. You’ll find the grave of Joseph Bumby, who ran one of Orlando’s first general stores, and J. Van Buskirk, a major player in the city’s citrus boom. Visiting Greenwood is like walking through a narrated storybook of Orlando’s evolution from a sleepy frontier town to a modern metropolis.
Perhaps most striking is the “Babyland” section—an area dedicated to the infant and child burials from the early 20th century. These small, heartbreaking headstones stand as quiet reminders of the struggles families faced during times of epidemic and limited medical care.
Honoring Veterans Across Centuries
Greenwood Cemetery is also the final resting place for hundreds of war veterans, including soldiers from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. There is even a section honoring Confederate soldiers—complete with a monument erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in the early 1900s. Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the cemetery comes alive with flags and ceremonies paying tribute to those who served.
Particularly notable is the Pinewood Cemetery, a historic African American burial ground now incorporated into the Greenwood grounds. Though neglected for many years, efforts from local historians and city officials have restored respect and recognition to the individuals buried there—some of them former slaves or early Black leaders in the Orlando community.
Architectural and Botanical Beauty
Greenwood Cemetery isn’t just about graves and epitaphs. The landscape itself is something to behold. Old oaks stretch their limbs skyward while draping Spanish moss dances in the Floridian breeze. Angel statues, intricately carved tombstones, and family mausoleums adorn the walkways. The design reflects a blend of nature and remembrance, with ornate Victorian influences seen throughout the property.
The Haunt
For those of us who live for ghost stories and the subtle tang of eerie energy, Greenwood Cemetery offers more than just historic intrigue. It’s widely known among paranormal investigators as one of Orlando’s most haunted spots.
A Cemetery That Never Sleeps
Greenwood Cemetery is not open to the public after dark—except for one special event. The City of Orlando occasionally offers midnight walking tours through the cemetery, hosted by Sexton Don Price. These tours fill up months in advance and are tremendously popular with ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike. According to Don, Greenwood is “alive with stories,” and some of them seem to repeat themselves in more mysterious ways than one.
Witnesses on these late-night excursions have reported shadows flitting between gravestones, sudden cold spots on warm Florida nights, and the unmistakable feeling of being watched. EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) have been captured here, some clearly saying names or crying out through waves of static. Paranormal teams from across the state—and even a few from out of state—have set up equipment among these graves, hoping to catch evidence of the afterlife 📻👻.
The Ghost of Benjamin “Ben” Franklin
No, not that Ben Franklin—but a local man of the same name who died under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s. His gravestone—unassuming and tucked near a line of cypress trees—is said to be a locus of activity. Visitors have reportedly seen a translucent figure in suspenders pacing around the area. According to tales passed down through the generations, Ben’s restless spirit roams the grounds, looking for justice or perhaps company.
Babyland: Whispers and Children’s Laughter
One of the most chilling yet frequently reported supernatural hotspots within the cemetery is Babyland. Several paranormal investigators have reported hearing unexplained giggling, faint cries, or the eerie tinkling of music-box melodies when no one else is around. EMF readers tend to spike in odd, rhythmic bursts here, prompting seasoned ghost hunters to tread carefully. Odd as it sounds, several locals have sworn they’ve heard tiny footsteps following them along the path… only to turn around and find no one there.
The Confederate Spirits
Walking through the Confederate section of Greenwood is like stepping into a time-bent echo of the past. This portion has been a focal point for some of the most intense sightings—full-bodied apparitions dressed in Civil War-era uniforms, blue and grey. Paranormal accounts describe groups of soldiers appearing in misty formations just before dawn. Are they standing eternal watch? Or are they looking for a long-overdue peace?
Unexplained Lights and Shadow Beings
Other frequent accounts include flickering orbs of light, often hovering over graves or darting from tree to tree. Thermal cameras have, on occasion, recorded temperature fluctuations consistent with documented hauntings. Even more disturbing are reports of towering, inky-black shadow figures that follow visitors at a distance, especially near the oldest parts of the cemetery.
Seasoned paranormal investigator groups have categorically noted Greenwood among the “spiritually active” locations of Florida. Whether benign or not, it seems energies are still very much attached to this land.
Visit Greenwood Cemetery… If You Dare
Whether you’re a student of history or a thrill-seeker drawn to the unknown, Greenwood Cemetery is a fascinating and evocative locale that promises an unforgettable experience. It’s where history meets mystery—where every grave tells a story, and some stories simply refuse to rest in peace.
If you’re planning your own ghost-hunting tour of Florida, Greenwood deserves a spot at the top of your haunted itinerary. Join a guided tour or respectfully explore during daytime hours. Be sure to bring a camera, an EMF detector, and your curiosity. You never know which part of Orlando’s past might reach out to say hello.
So the next time you’re in The City Beautiful, take a detour off the beaten path. Step through the iron gates and walk among whispers with centuries-old secrets. Greenwood Cemetery is more than a final resting place—it’s a portal to a past that refuses to be forgotten.