Bartow, Florida: Grave of America's Oldest Man
When Charlie Smith died in 1979 he was a celebrity, claiming to be 137 years old. He had lived so long that he had no one to pay for his tombstone. Three years later the town finally chipped in and bought one for Charlie, engraved with the epitaph, "America's Oldest Man."
Wildwood Cemetery
- Address:
- 800 S. Woodlawn Ave., Bartow, FL
- Directions:
- Wildwood Cemetery. Southwest side of town. Enter cemetery on the west side of S. Woodlawn Ave. just south of its intersection with W. Vine St. Once you enter the cemetery, park by marker 28 on the right and walk to the end, where the grave is by the white wall.
Results 1 to 5 of 6... Page of 2 [Next 1 items]
Visitor Tips and News About Grave of America's Oldest Man
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
Once you walk towards the white wall, it is four rows to your left and you will see Charlie Smith's grave, and to the right of him is white and to the left is Donald.
[GHills, 04/11/2025]Still standing [or in horizontal repose] strong! To find the grave, park by marker 28 on the right and walk to the end, by the white wall.
[Cosmic_Adventurers, 04/08/2023]
Found him. Look for the big oak tree, second marker in from the white wall.
[Barbara, 04/28/2018]
By marker 28 on the right side. Grave is almost to the end of the row by the white wall.
[Kristen, 06/04/2017]
The grave of America's Oldest Man is actually between paths 2 and 3.
[Brennan, 06/01/2017]Page of 2 [Next 1 items]
Nearby Offbeat Places
The Wonder House, Bartow, FL - 1 mi.
Mulberry Phosphate Museum, Mulberry, FL - 7 mi.
24-Foot-Tall Potty Chair, Winter Haven, FL - 8 mi.Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.
We've squandered countless hours wandering graveyards in search of an obscure occupant, so every location detail helps!