Historic Bellefontaine Cemetery in St Louis
Imagine strolling through majestic mausoleums, where whispers of the past linger in the air. Bellefontaine Cemetery sits above St Louis as a portal to bygone eras.
This historic necropolis, established in 1849, is a treasure trove of stories, from the legendary to the obscure. Join us as we discover its secrets, notable burials, and the haunting beauty that makes Bellefontaine Cemetery a must-visit for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
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A Very Brief History of Bellefontaine
Urban sprawl and cemetery overcrowding forced authorities to search for a new cemetery site. A cholera epidemic in 1849 that killed 4,000 residents was the final push to establish a new cemetery. Enter Bellefontaine Cemetery, born from the rural cemetery movement, offering a serene escape from the bustling city.
Visionaries like Almerin Hotchkiss, the landscape architect, and William McPherson, the cemetery's first president, laid the groundwork for this sprawling city of the dead. The overall design of this rural garden-style cemetery was modeled after Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts.
Over the decades, Bellefontaine transformed, evolving with the city's trends. Its landscape, meticulously designed with winding paths and lush greenery, became a sanctuary for both the living and the dead. St Louis residents call this place “Bellefountain. ” Today this city of the dead holds roughly 87,000 burials. An impressive number in such a small space!
Notable Burials and Their Stories
The list of notable figures interred at Bellefontaine is long and vastly different. I first fell in love with this beautiful cemetery after attending a Dinner & Spirits presentation about the Lemp Family by author Troy Taylor of American Hauntings. Their tragic and mysterious family story intrigued me enough to hop in my car and drive four hours each way to visit their graves and the Lemp Mansion. What could cause five family members to take their own lives in the same house over many years?
William Clark: Imagine standing before the grave of an explorer who literally drew the map of the uncharted. William Clark, of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, rests here. His journeys opened the American West, and his spirit still whispers through the trees.
William J. Lemp: The Lemp family has a tragic yet fascinating history. Billy Lemp, one of the wealthiest beer barons, who expanded the family's brewing empire, lies here, his life marked by success and sorrow. At one time Lemp Brewery was the richest and most famous lager beer company in the United States and possibly the world. Much richer than his contemporaries would like to admit to this day.
Ellis Wainwright: A titan of industry, Wainwright's tomb is a marvel of architecture. His business acumen in brewing and real estate left an indelible mark on St. Louis, and his final resting place reflects that grandeur. Wainwright's mausoleum sits across the roadway form the Lemp Mausoleum. Ellis was involved in English-style ales and porters and in direct competition with the Lemps who brewed German-style lagers.
The Stunning Architecture of Bellefontaine
Of all the cemeteries, I have visited the mausoleums at Bellefontaine were the most beautiful and well-maintained. And the stories behind the eternal residents are gut-wrenching. It was difficult to narrow down which mausoleums to share.
Lemp Mausoleum: The Neoclassical design exterior is constructed of Vermont Granite while the interior is lined in solid marble. The ceiling and floor feature intricate mosaic tiles. Stained-glass windows add bright colorful patterns to the space. The mausoleum has 32 crypts but only 14 are occupied. The Lemp family’s tragic history, marked by multiple suicides and lives cut short, leaves the space half-empty.
The building sits on the highest point in Bellefontaine Cemetery reflecting the prominent status of the Lemp Family at the time of its construction. It’s also strategically located to block the view of the Mississippi River from Ellis Wainright’s Mausoleum. Even in death, these rich people are petty!
The Hotchkiss Chapel was constructed in 1909 and is the gem of Bellefontaine Cemetery. It originally served as a winter holding place for caskets. Later it was repurposed as a chapel for funeral services and a memorial to the cemetery’s first superintendent Almerin Hotchkiss. A columbarium at the rear of the chapel contains over 600 wood and glass niches.
Columbarium
A room or building with niches for funeral urns to be stored.
Adolphus Busch Mausoleum: This exquisite Gothic Revival mausoleum was constructed in 1921 and is a testament to the wealth and status of the beer baron. The exterior was built of unpolished Missouri granite and the grey-green slate roof is topped with a copper spire, ornate finials, and engraved grape vines. The bronze doors feature hop flowers in homage to how his wealth was acquired. Elaborate stained glass windows give the building a chapel-like feel.
The Latin inscription above the doors reads, “Veni, Vidi, Vici.” That translates to “I came, I saw, I conquered” and is famously associated with Julius Ceasar after he won the battle of Zela. Adolphus co-founded Anheuser-Busch Brewery with his father-in-law, Eberhard Anheuser, after marrying Lily Anheuser, who also rests in the grand mausoleum.
Ironically Eberhard Anheuser and the rest of his family were laid to rest in much humbler graves. When I visited Bellefontaine and was looking for Eberhard’s grave, I walked around for at least 10 minutes expecting to find a grand mausoleum. But Google Maps pointed me to a very humble row of tombstones directly behind the Busch Mausoleum. Maybe Adolphus wanted to show his higher status than his father-in-law.
Ellis Wainwright Mausoleum: This memorial was built in 1892 and designed by renowned architect Louis Sullivan with the help of his draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright for Ellis Wainwright’s wife, Charlotte, who died suddenly of peritonitis. The exterior features a Byzantine dome atop a limestone cube. The bronze doors and windows are framed by intricate carvings of flowers and plants.
I think this is one of the most striking mausoleums in Bellefontaine. What do you think?
Tate Mausoleum: Built in 1907 by Frank N. Tate, this Egyptian-style mausoleum is a striking departure from traditional designs in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Inspired by the temples of Luxor, it features lotus columns and sphinxes, blending ancient Egyptian motifs with early 20th-century craftsmanship. The stained glass windows add a mystical touch, casting colorful light within the mausoleum. Tate owned several theaters in St Louis, Chicago, and Buffalo, NY.
William Clark Memorial: A tribute to the legendary explorer, this memorial captures the spirit of adventure and discovery. The 35-foot gray granite obelisk at the center is adorned with inscriptions detailing Clark's life and achievements, including his roles as a soldier, explorer, statesman, and patriot.
In front of the obelisk sits a bronze bust of William Clark, sculpted by William Ordway Partridge. Flanking the steps leading to the back of the memorial are rectangular stone piers, one featuring a relief carving of a buffalo head (symbolizing abundance) and the other a wolf’s head, symbolizing strength and courage.
Other Breathtaking Graves
Bellefontaine isn't only filled with amazing mausoleums. There are many breathtaking graves and memorials to commemorate the lives of St Louis residents. It would take years to document the roughly 87,000 graves in Bellefontaine and the following are only a snippet of the beautiful graves.
Sidney Rowland Francis Grave: A striking bronze angel with its outstretched wings and serene expression, stands as a guardian over Francis's final resting place. Sidney was a very successful grain and produce trader at the St Louis Chamber of Commerce. He is the brother of David Rowland Francis.
The tomb itself is a testament to the artistry of the late 19th century, blending intricate design with a sense of solemnity. The bronze sculpture adds a touch of elegance and reverence, making it a poignant tribute to Francis. Located across the drive from his brother’s final resting place, his grave continues to captivate visitors with its haunting beauty.
David Francis Memorial: This statue gives off an ominous and foreboding air. Maybe the figure is shrouded in grief and not meant to be ominous. A shrouded bronze figure sits with its face hooded. Behind the statue is a Celtic Cross. A grouping of short tombstones sits in front of the memorial.
The contrast between the siblings’ graves is outstanding. One grave is beautiful and serene while the other looks ominous and foreboding. David was elected St Louis mayor in 1885 and then elected Missouri governor in 1888. Later he was appointed as Secretary of State by President Grover Cleveland.
Bellefontaine Cemetery's architectural marvels are more than just stone and mortar; they're silent storytellers, each with a tale to tell. Sometimes the stories are open to interpretation and not immediately apparent.
A Sanctuary for Migratory Birds
Bellefontaine Cemetery isn't just for the departed; it's a sanctuary for migratory birds. As St Louis grows and natural habitats shrink, these green spaces become crucial for wildlife seeking refuge.
The cemetery's lush landscape offers a vital refuge for birds on their long journeys. Mature trees, undisturbed areas, and abundant plant life provide rest and nourishment, creating a welcoming environment for these avian travelers.
St Louis is situated in the Mississippi Flyway the largest migratory pathway used by birds in the United States. The flyway stretches from Canada to Mexico with the Mississippi River guiding the way.
Photo by Timothy Abraham on Unsplash
The Audubon Center at Riverlands is a great resource to learn more about the wildlife that stop to rest at Bellefontaine Cemetery during their annual migrations. Some of the cemetery’s avian visitors include hummingbirds, owls, hawks, and Trumpeter swans.
This serene haven supports a variety of plant and animal life, making it a vital part of the urban ecosystem. The cemetery's diverse flora attracts not only birds but also other wildlife, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the area.
Visiting Bellefontaine Cemetery
Bellefontaine Cemetery isn't just a place to visit; it's an experience that connects you with the past in a deeply personal and hauntingly beautiful way.
If you visit, be prepared to get a workout. The landscape is full of hills and valleys. To help find your way around, use the interactive map to locate graves. The cemetery is open 365 days a year from 8 am to 4:30 pm and the gates close at 5 pm. Pets are welcome but must stay on a leash.
Guided tours, trolley tours, and special events happen throughout the year. A popular event called Barons of Beer and Distilling is offered in the summer that pairs learning about the Beer barons of St Louis while sipping on beer, wine, and spirits.
Bellefontaine Cemetery is more than a resting place; it's a portal to the past. Here, history, architecture, and nature intertwine in a dance of shadows and whispers.
From the grand mausoleums of brewing barons to the serene graves of poets, every corner tells a tale. The cemetery's lush landscape offers sanctuary to the living and the departed, as well as migratory birds seeking refuge.
As you wander through this historic city of the dead, you'll feel the weight of history and the beauty of preservation. Bellefontaine Cemetery invites you to explore, reflect, and connect with those who have passed and strengthen relationships with the living.
Have you visited Bellefontaine Cemetery? I would love to hear about your visit. Drop me a message! And don't forget to subscribe to the Spooky Traveling newsletter to keep up to date on the latest dark adventure. Stay weird, Spooky friend!
