TWO Cemeteries in the Middle of the World’s Busiest Airport

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is home to two 19th-century burial grounds, Flat Rock Cemetery and Hart Cemetery, which remain intact amidst the airport's runways. These cemeteries are the last tangible remnants of the Flat Rock farming community that was displaced by airport expansion starting in the 1960s.

Cemeteries on Airport property:

Established in 1877, this cemetery contains over 300 graves and was originally part of the Flat Rock Baptist Church. It is situated on the south side of the airport, specifically between runways and less than 500 feet from a north-south taxiway. It is generally better maintained and more "natural" in appearance compared to its counterpart.
Address: Sullivan Rd, College Park, GA 30337.

Also known as the Hart Family Cemetery, it was first used in 1860 and is located approximately a half-mile southwest of Flat Rock. It is completely surrounded by the raised earthwork of the airport's fifth runway and is enclosed by a white picket fence and razor-wire perimeter fencing.

Address: Liberty Street, College Park, GA 30349.

Visiting Information

Both sites are technically accessible to the public, though they are difficult to find within the "labyrinth" of airport service roads and industrial infrastructure.
Atmosphere: Visitors will experience a surreal environment where historic gravestones—including those of Civil War and World War veterans—sit directly under the flight paths of jumbo jets.

Access: Reaching Flat Rock Cemetery typically involves driving through a tunnel under an active taxiway. There are no large street numbers or prominent signs; landmark cues include proximity to concrete mixing stations and logistics warehouses.
Hours: Both locations are listed as open 24 hours, but visiting during daylight is recommended due to their isolated and industrial locations.

History and Preservation

When the airport began construction on its fifth runway (completed in 2006), federal law required the preservation of these historic sites. While the surrounding homes and the Flat Rock Baptist Church were demolished or moved, the descendants of the families buried there fought to keep the graves in their original locations. The land is now owned by the City of Atlanta and the airport authority.