The property was purchased in 1916 by John Mitchell, an African American newspaper editor and civil rights activist in Richmond. Mr. Mitchell was the president of the Repton Land Corp and Repton Land Corp acquired the property from the Richmond Sand & Gravel Company, 

Opened in 1917, during the Jim Crow era in the capital of the Confederacy, Woodland's roads and front gate were built by local African American contractors. In 1916 when the cemetery was under construction, there was a pond that was used as a recreational area for families to picnic and paddle boat. Plans were underway to install a meditation fountain for families to reflect on their departed loved ones.  John Mitchell’s desire was to create a dignified and respectful place for African American families to come and pay homage to their deceased family members. 
 
Not only are the African American elite of Richmond buried here but Woodland has served as a dignified resting place for our US veterans of the Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Woodland Cemetery is a testament to the perseverance, dignity, and the desires of the African American community to be respected. John Mitchell was acutely aware of these feelings and his vision provided a way for respect to be shown with pride.