Oaklawn Cemetery is believed to have begun in 1876 as a local family cemetery plot, became a community cemetery by 1879, and expanded into a formally organized cemetery in 1931. Historical and burial information indicates that it primarily served the African-American community of Mobile, Alabama, along with others from all walks of life. Although the number of burials is unknown, as many as 10,000 people are estimated to be buried there. Those buried there include veterans from all branches of the military, including Merchant Marines, who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts, as well as Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star recipients, Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and many leaders from Mobile’s African-American community, including educators, union leaders, doctors, attorneys, church leaders, artists, and politicians. After changing ownership several times, the non-perpetual-care, 20-acre cemetery became completely overgrown and seemingly forgotten and lost to time. As restoration continues, the history of the cemetery and those buried there continues to be discovered. It was listed in the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register on September 6, 2018.