Entry No. 25 — the Dallas file — filed under: cemetery
Oakland Cemetery
A 47-acre Victorian 'silent city of the dead' opened in 1892, with over 30,000 burials beneath ancient oaks, magnolias and crape myrtles. Its standouts include a life-sized gossamer-clad marble angel shipped from Genoa, Italy to watch over the Armstrong plot, and Confederate monuments carved by craftsmen from Florence and Venice -- plus a pet section rumored to hold a horse and a monkey.
The move: Do a slow self-guided wander from the tall central obelisk outward, hunting for the imported Italian marble angel and the strangest monuments. Pack a thermos and turn it into a quiet, romantic graveyard ramble; in October the Dallas Historical Society runs a costumed Halloween tour if you'd rather have a guide.
📍 Before you go It sits in South Dallas just off Malcolm X Blvd; look for the old wrought-iron gate at Oakland Circle on the east side, between MLK and Pine. The grounds are fully fenced and walking-only, so park along the loop and explore on foot, starting at the tall central obelisk to orient yourself. Cooler seasons and daylight make the long ramble most pleasant; midday summer is brutal under the open oaks. The costumed history tour is October-only and ticketed, so plan ahead. This is a quiet working cemetery in a residential area, so keep voices low and be respectful. Pair it with nearby Fair Park.
- 📍 South Dallas (off Malcolm X Blvd)
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 3900 Oakland Circle (3900 block of Malcolm X Blvd), Dallas, TX
Hours: Walking only; entrance on east side of Malcolm X between MLK and Pine. Halloween tour is a seasonal ticketed event via Dallas Historical Society.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · dallashistory.org
last checked: 2026-06-06