How much do you know about the Dred Scott case? Maybe you've seen the plaque at the Old Courthouse. Maybe you remember something from that paragraph in your American History text. Something about a famous freedom suit that started here in St. Louis. A case that somehow contributed to the run-up to the Civil War.
Historic Bellefontaine Cemetery is the final resting place of a number of famous Missourians who played important parts in case. People with strongly held pro-slavery and abolitionist beliefs. People with family connections, social connections, business connections, political connections. People who also played major roles in the Civil War and in the reconstruction.
People. Tour a portion of beautiful Bellefontaine Cemetery and hear their stories.
Please read and follow the Cemetery's etiquette guidelines:
- This is an active cemetery. Avoid disturbing a gravesite, chapel service or family members who are visiting their loved ones.
- Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pets are welcome but must be on a leash. Please pick up after your pet.
- Firearms are prohibited with the exception of Military Honor Guards and re-enactors.
- Visitors and lot owners are requested to leave comments and inquiries at the office.
- Soliciting within the cemetery is prohibited.
- Groups of 10 or more must register at the cemetery office before proceeding onto the grounds.
- Keep conversation volumes low. Be respectful. Other people may be upset and want a tranquil place in which to mourn and to be alone in peace.
- Keep contact with gravestones to a minimum. Do not sit on any monuments. They are meaningful to the families who placed them there. Rubbings are prohibited.
- Do not take photographs of other people or funeral activites in the cemetery. Restrict your photography to scenes of landscape, nature and architectural elements.
- Use common sense when walking off of the roadways. Walk between headstones and do not stand on a burial place.
Cemetery hours are 8am to 4pm every day. If you do not leave the cemetery before the gates are locked, you must call security at the number posted on the gate in order to get out. Please do not let this happen!
Download the Wherigo.
The cemetery gate is located on West Florissant Avenue. The starting coordinates are at the parking lot just inside the gate. This is a good place to start the Wherigo. The first Wherigo location is Hotchkiss Chapel. Follow the Wherigo, the signs, or the white line that marks the main tour route to the chapel. There is limited parking available at the chapel. The Wherigo is arranged so that you can either walk or drive along the roads. If you choose to walk, mark your car!
Be sure to "Talk to" each of the people you meet in the Wherigo.
Because it can be done by road, this cache is theoretically accessible by wheelchair. However, the road route is at least 3 miles long and there are some hills. You may find it easier to drive.
If you get lost in the cemetery, follow the white line in either direction until you reach the gate. Please leave the cemetery early enough to avoid being locked in!
Allow two to three hours for this cache on foot, one to two hours by car.
Thanks to Dan Fuller of Bellefontaine Cemetery for permission to place this cache and for reviewing the Wherigo content.
A hat tip to L Frank and Denmother for arranging to open this area to more extensive caching. And to Strider, Crowesfeat30, half of Moleskin Boys, and Forest-Ghost for testing the Wherigo.