Skip to Main Content

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."

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.

Grave.

Grave of America's Oldest Man

Recommend reading the back story on this gentleman to truly appreciate the grave site. Very nice neighborhood with quaint, old homes.

[Shannon Hiser, 05/16/2017]

Charlie Smith was 137 when he died...at least, that's what he claimed. And his tombstone assures that no one will forget.

Grave of 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.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

The Wonder HouseThe Wonder House, Bartow, FL - 1 mi.
Mulberry Phosphate MuseumMulberry Phosphate Museum, Mulberry, FL - 7 mi.
24-Foot-Tall Potty Chair24-Foot-Tall Potty Chair, Winter Haven, FL - 8 mi.
In the region:
Shriner Statue, Tampa, FL - 44 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.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Florida Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

X-Files Preservation Collection, Saratoga Springs, New York (Oct 6-12, 2025)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings