Decatur City unveils searchable Sykes Cemetery map; commission tables release of unmarked-grave data

At a Decatur City Historic Preservation Commission meeting, preservation staff demonstrated a new searchable online map of Magnolia Sykes Cemetery and commissioners debated whether to make ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) findings that indicate unmarked graves publicly available.

Carolyn, a preservation staff member, showed commissioners a public website on the city preservation page that displays cemetery markers and photos. "If you go to the preservation page for the city, you go into the documents section, and you'll see... there's a grading database," she said. She demonstrated a new search function that allows users to type a first or last name and have matching marked graves highlight on the map.

The map published on the city site displays graves with visible markers: yellow dots for reinterred graves and blue dots for burials with markers, and clicking a marker shows attached photos and notes. Carolyn told the commission the state had reacted positively to the tool and "wanted to use it as a model for some of their programs."

Commissioners pressed staff about GPR results showing possible unmarked burials. Carolyn said the city maintains a separate internal map of about 700 graves and ground anomalies discovered by GPR but does not publish that layer because of concerns about people digging for grave goods. "We have an internal one that shows about 700 of the more graves that are throughout that cemetery," she said, and added the public-facing map intentionally omits locations lacking physical markers.

A commissioner moved that the commission obtain a copy of the GPR report and map and give it to the city archives so researchers could consult it. Preservation staff asked to check state policy and best practices before releasing unmarked-grave data. After staff said they would consult the state cemetery coordinator, the motion was withdrawn and the item was tabled for a future meeting.

The cemetery discussion broadened to other burial sites. Commissioners and staff reported recent GPR and documentation work at Lafayette Street Cemetery, where the project team documented portions of roughly 25 markers and identified potential unmarked graves. Staff flagged a failing retaining wall at Lafayette Street Cemetery as an immediate concern because the cemetery grade sits higher than adjacent buildings and the wall is beginning to fail.

The meeting also included an extended discussion of preservation grants and project prioritization. Staff outlined the grants they have applied for or are pursuing, including Educational Trust Fund (ETF) grants, Certified Local Government (CLG) grant programs, and several National Park Service grant applications (including a HERS grant). Staff noted some National Park Service programs are currently frozen or in holding and that some grants do not require a city match. "The ETF grants do not require a match, so they do not go in front of council," Carolyn said. She said CLG grants must align with the state preservation plan and have specific funding ranges and timelines.

Commissioners debated whether the Historic Preservation Commission should exercise more pre-application oversight on grant submissions. Some members said grants often arrive with tight deadlines and require staff to act quickly; others said the commission should see and sign off on applications before submission. Staff said she keeps a project list and consults the commission when feasible but sometimes must apply on short notice. The commission did not adopt a new oversight policy at the meeting; a majority of members indicated they were satisfied with current procedures.

Other preservation updates included completion of two updated digital brochures (Old Decatur and Albany districts) and work on National Register nominations, including updates to the Old State Bank nomination that would add named individuals and expand the period of significance to about 1975 for parts of the Second Avenue (Albany Commercial) district. Staff reported preliminary cost-estimating work for Old State Bank restoration continues and that rough early estimates previously discussed were in the range of $3 million to $5 million. Staff said they have requested $750,000 in one grant application for Old State Bank and that First Missionary Baptist Church had requested $500,000 for its Historic Structures Report; both grant requests were described as uncertain while some programs remain paused.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from the Dec. 10 meeting — Motion to approve carried by voice vote; outcome: approved. - Motion to place Sykes Cemetery report/map in the city archives — Motion made, withdrawn by mover after staff said they would consult the state; item tabled pending state guidance.

Ending

Staff said they will consult the state cemetery coordinator about release of GPR and unmarked-grave location data and will return with recommendations at a future meeting. The commission continued discussion of grant priorities and preservation projects without taking further formal action at this session.