The Hickory Flat Cemetery, located on East Cherokee Drive, was originally known as the Buring Ground. The land for the cemetery is thought to have been given by Major John McConnell, but no deed or record has been found. The oldest grave in the cemetery is from approximately 1850. The cemetery property passed from the McConnells to Worleys to Quarles heirs. In 1977, a perpetual trust was established for maintenance of the cemetery by relatives of those interred. The funds from the trust provide for the general care of the cemetery and families can provide more care for family grave sites. There are five members on the board of directors, two from the Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, two from Mt. Zion Baptist Church and one from the community at large.