Mount Olivet Cemetery was organized on March 17, 1856. At that time, the city of Nashville was just a little larger than today's downtown.

Hence, Mount Olivet was still out in the country. After the war between the states, the Confederate women of Nashville formed a memorial association. They bought the land that is today's Confederate Circle, and moved the bodies of Confederate dead that had been buried at various area battlefields. About 1,492 Confederate soldiers rest there.

In 1887 the Confederate men and women of Nashville organized the Confederate Monumental Association. Two years later, they erected the 45 foot granite monument which still stands in the circle.

The General Joseph E. Johnston Camp 28 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans raises money for the preservation of this monument. Acid rain is slowly deteriorating the fragile stone. A stone curb was installed to prevent the continued runoff of soil. A memorial marker is placed on the circle when a soldier is identified.

The Circle is the first stop on the Annual Confederate Illuminated Walking Tour.

Mount Olivet Cemetery is located 2.84 miles from downtown Nashville at 1101 Lebanon Road between Fessler's Lane and Spence Lane.