Little Gracie Watson — Attraction in Savannah

In 1889, just two days before Easter Gracie Watson would pass on. She suffered from pneumonia and finally, her little body couldn't take any more. Savannah was heart-broken. Her parents were far beyond heart-broken. Her father fell into a deep depression after Gracie's death. She was laid to rest on the Watson family plot in Bonaventure Cemetery. As a tribute to his beautiful little girl, Gracie's father had sculpture John Walz carve a monument to his girl. Using a photograph as reference John Walz sculpted the monument which now sits upon Little Gracie's grave site out at Bonaventure Cemetery. It is said to be life size and a picture-perfect representation of Little Gracie Watson. This hauntingly beautiful monument to Little Gracie has captivated visitors to her grave site for...

Savannah's most sacred secular site in many respects. Little Gracie, who turns 140 this year, is regarded as Savannah's guardian angel, Bonaventure's, and in many cases, is seen as that of the many Savannahians in a very personal way. It could be debated, but the view that she's the most important piece of portrait sculpture ever made locally is quite valid. The old saying around her holds ever true, "she adopts every passerby, every passerby adopts her." Visiting Little Gracie is not just a tourist stop, it's a cultural ritual one must perform as a blessing on one's visit, one's life, and of course onto Little Gracie. Be sure to leave behind a memory stone, a toy, a trinket or as children often do, a note to her asking for something special for...

We went on a self guided tour as a family. It's a beautiful cemetery, very peaceful, beautiful, and scenic. Most people were respectful of the Graves. Little Gracie is fenced in and a popular stop. We left a flower for her. There are offerings of coins, toys, etc. Very sad little story of her parents mourning the loss of their only child at such a young age. The detail on her sculpture is beautiful. Down to her shoes. I definitely recommend taking a walk through on an afternoon to soak in some...