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Sha'arai Shomayim Cemetery, located on Owen Street in Mobile, consists of fifteen acres. A long driveway leads to the
cemetery proper, which is surrounded by century-old live oaks and a nineteenth century ornamental cast iron fence. The
gate features an archway with the congregation name in metal Hebrew letters. Paved lanes allow each access throughout
the cemetery and a cast iron gazebo sits in the center. The graves themselves are oriented east west. There are some
spectacular family plots with stone revetments and finely carved markers. A number of mausolea are located on the
grounds.
The first interment took place December 28, 1876. This was Israel I. Jones, one of Mobile's most prominent early Jewish
citizens and president of the congregation for thirty years. The funeral was attended by a multitude of friends. Members
of a local fire company and Masonic fraternity led the procession.
It should be noted that the current cemetery is our newest cemetery. The Temple’s original cemetery was located in Magnolia
Cemetery and was almost completely filled by 1875.
Please see below for more pictures of the cemetery:
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