photograph by Jason Gray
Calvary Cemetery, at over 160 years old, is the final resting place for many of St. Louis’ most important residents. Dred Scott, Auguste Chouteau, and Tennessee Williams are among those buried there. This Roman Catholic Cemetery and its natural setting are an exciting visit for anyone with the history of our city in mind.
photograph by Ann Aurbach
photograph by Mandi Gray
photograph by Joe Rakers
photograph by Susan Price
photograph by Kelly Burchett
Calvary Cemetery was established in 1854, only a few short years after the adjoining Bellefontaine Cemetery. This was at a time when Downtown was rapidly expanding, forcing most of the existing cemeteries to relocate. That said, Calvary is still the second oldest cemetery founded by the Catholic Archdiocese in the area.
Cholera, a disease spread by bacterial infection (usually due to water contaminated with human waste) hit St. Louis hard in the early 19th Century, and reached its peak in 1849 when the city suffered one of the worst death rates per capita of any outbreak of the disease in recorded history. This reality helped to ensure an early need for Calvary and Bellefontaine.
photograph by Michael Matney
photograph by Jason Gray
photograph by Janet Henrichs
photograph by Dawn Moss
photograph by Michelle Bates
As mentioned, many of the city’s most famous past residents are buried at Calvary Cemetery, and although less known architecturally than its neighbor, it does possess some amazing structures (including a grand mausoleum for archbishops) and even some that have some interesting legends associated.
photograph by Michelle Williams
photograph by Jackie Johnson
photograph by Michael Matney
photograph by Donna Burch
photograph by Sue Rakers
No doubt, a visit to Calvary and Bellefontaine Cemeteries is not to be missed for St. Louis residents and visitors alike. The natural beauty and amount of history contained between them is unrivaled almost anywhere in the region.
photograph by Ashley Green
photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis
photograph by Jason Gray
photograph by Michelle Williams
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Our endpoint was a small diner and cupcakery called Debbie’s Delights. During our Floods, we’ve visited many of the city’s most iconic diners, and this restaurant deserves a place among them. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, and the Chicken and Waffles were delicious.
photograph by Dan Henrichs Photography, St. Louis
[…] Photo Flood 34: Calvary Cemetery. […]