Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis

Bellefontaine Cemetery is a non-profit, non-denominational cemetery and arboretum that was founded in 1849. Initially created as a rural cemetery, Bellefontaine has become the final resting place for over 87,000 people, including many notable figures such as William Clark, Adolphus Busch, Thomas Hart Benton, Rush Limbaugh, and William S. Burroughs.

One of the defining features of Bellefontaine Cemetery is its impressive collection of architecturally significant monuments and mausoleums. The Louis Sullivan-designed Wainwright Tomb is among the most famous and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other notable mausoleums include the Busch Mausoleum, designed by Barnett, Haynes & Barnett in 1915, and the Brown Brothers Mausoleums, designed by Isaac Taylor in 1910 and Mauran, Russell and Crowell in 1928.

The cemetery is also home to a large number of Union and Confederate soldiers from the American Civil War, as well as many local and state politicians. In addition, Bellefontaine contains the graves of many pioneers to the West, businessmen, and generals who played significant roles in the history of St. Louis and the United States.

As an accredited arboretum, Bellefontaine boasts over 180 species of trees and shrubs spread across its 314 acres of land. It also contains over 14 miles of paved roads and has recently converted some of its open, unused land into prairie and woodland.

Visitors to Bellefontaine Cemetery can take guided tours of its historical and architectural highlights or obtain self-guided tour brochures at the cemetery office. With its rich history and stunning architecture, it is no wonder that Bellefontaine Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Why You Should Visit:
100% friendly to visitors. Staff is very helpful with maps and self-guided tours of the cemetery with highlights and stories of the famous & the infamous buried within the grounds.
This cemetery is also a lovely arboretum with fascinating architecture. A must if you're a history buff and/or cemetery aficionado!

Tip:
Check out their website for the many events and walks they have.