St. Louis Mercantile Library

Popular places to visit

Bellefontaine Cemetery is a nonprofit, non-denominational cemetery and arboretum located in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1849 as a rural cemetery, Bellefontaine is home to a number of architecturally significant monuments and mausoleums such as the Louis Sullivan-designed Wainwright Tomb, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery contains 314 acres of land and over 87,000 graves, including those of William Clark, Adolphus Busch, Thomas Hart Benton, and William S. Burroughs. Many Union and Confederatesoldiers from the American Civil War are buried at Bellefontaine, as well as numerous local and state politicians. As of 2012 over 87,000 people have been buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery, and approximately 100 new burials take place each year. Bellefontaine remains a non-profit, non-denominational cemetery, and still holds over 100 acres of open, unused land. Some of this extra land has recently been converted into prairie and woodland. Bellefontaine contains over 14 miles of paved roads and, as an accredited arboretum, is home to over 180 species of trees and shrubs. A new lakeside garden and columbarium were completed in 2010, and other major landscaping projects are planned or in progress. The cemetery contains the graves of many prominent pioneers to the West, as well as businessmen, politicians, and generals who remain significant figures in the history of St. Louis and the United States. The oldest graves in the cemetery are located on pioneer Edward Hempstead’s family lot and date as far back as 1816. Many of the wealthiest families at Bellefontaine are interred in ornate mausoleums which overlook the Mississippi River and draw from Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, and Egyptian architectural styles. Among the most notable mausoleums in the cemetery are: the Wainwright Tomb, designed for Charlotte Dickson Wainwright by the famed Chicago school architect Louis Sullivan in 1892; the Busch Mausoleum, designed for Adolphus Busch and Lilly Anheuser by Barnett, Haynes & Barnett in 1915; and the Brown Brothers Mausoleums, designed in 1910 by Isaac Taylor and in 1928 by Mauran, Russell and Crowell. There are also a number of large family plots in the cemetery, many of which are marked by tall obelisk monuments with elaborate bases. Guided tours of the cemetery’s main historical and architectural highlights are available and are open to the public. Alternatively, visitors can obtain self-guided tour brochures at the cemetery office. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. #LIFEATEXPEDIA

Bellefontaine Cemetery

Enjoy a stop at Bellefontaine Cemetery, a landmark worth seeing in St. Louis. Experience the area's acclaimed theater scene or attend a baseball game.

Bellefontaine Cemetery

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center

You can get tickets for a performance at Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on your trip to St. Louis. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center

Museum of Transportation

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Museum of Transportation in St. Louis. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Museum of Transportation

Heman Park Tennis Center

Catch an event at Heman Park Tennis Center during your trip to St. Louis. Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Heman Park Tennis Center

St. Louis Black Repertory Company

You can get tickets for a performance at St. Louis Black Repertory Company during your stay in St. Louis. Visit the shops in this family-friendly area, or simply enjoy its restaurants.

St. Louis Black Repertory Company

St. Louis Walk of Fame

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at St. Louis Walk of Fame in St. Louis. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

St. Louis Walk of Fame

Best Lodging Options Near St. Louis Mercantile Library

St. Louis Airport Hotel

St. Louis Airport Hotel

3.5 out of 5
9600 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis MO
St. Louis Airport Hotel
Clayton Plaza Hotel & Extended Stay

Clayton Plaza Hotel & Extended Stay

3.5 out of 5
7750 Carondelet Avenue St. Louis MO
Clayton Plaza Hotel & Extended Stay
Moonrise Hotel

Moonrise Hotel

4 out of 5
6177 Delmar Blvd St. Louis MO
Moonrise Hotel
Modern 3BR Getaway Near STL Attractions – Family-Friendly Comfort!

Modern 3BR Getaway Near STL Attractions – Family-Friendly Comfort!

University City MO
Modern 3BR Getaway Near STL Attractions – Family-Friendly Comfort!
Best Western Plus St. Louis Airport Hotel

Best Western Plus St. Louis Airport Hotel

2.5 out of 5
4576 Woodson Road St. Louis MO
Best Western Plus St. Louis Airport Hotel
Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport

Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport

2.5 out of 5
10810 Pear Tree Ln St. Ann MO
Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport
Hampton Inn By Hilton St Louis Airport

Hampton Inn By Hilton St Louis Airport

2.5 out of 5
10350 Natural Bridge Rd St. Louis MO
Hampton Inn By Hilton St Louis Airport
The Knight Center at Washington University

The Knight Center at Washington University

2.5 out of 5
Throop Drive and Snow Way St. Louis MO
The Knight Center at Washington University
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