Bellefontaine Cemetery: Learning History From the Dead | History Traveler Episode 347

One of the best places to learn history is in cemeteries. In this episode, we're in St. Louis at Bellefontaine Cemetery, which is loaded with history that you may or may not know. Be sure to watch to the end!
See our visit to neighboring Calvary Cemetery here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4GyfHWkdqqkiNU
This episode was produced in partnership with The Gettysburg Museum of History. See how you can support history education & artifact preservation by visiting their website & store at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com
Learn more about The Gettysburg Film Festival here: gettysburgfilmfestival.org
Support the effort to expand history education on PATREON: www.patreon.com/historyunderground
Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- A Hidden Corner of Gettysburg & a Chat with Ken Burns | History Traveler Episode 345: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enjVYoptgqh-kJI
- Little Bighorn: Custer's Last Stand w/ Jocko & Leif | History Traveler 344: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYWqmXmDn62hfLM
- Little Bighorn: The Desperate Defense of Reno Hill (w/Jocko Willink) | History Traveler Episode 343: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4qWp52mhJeFhck
- Little Bighorn: Prelude to the Last Stand w/ Jocko & Leif | History Traveler Episode 341: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4bTm3dsp9eAgpo
- A German Village DESTROYED By Artillery Fire in WWII (with a WWII Vet!!!)| History Traveler Ep. 338: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJnaZXSeo7WrqK8
All drone shots conducted by a Part 107 licensed drone pilot.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com.

[@jetsons101]

Every headstone no matter how small represents a life, a member of a family with a story to tell. Many of those stories are long forgotten. Thanks, JD, for visiting cemeteries to help keep the stories alive.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@mikenixon2401]

Well said, thanks.

[@jetsons101]

@@mikenixon2401 Thanks. Forgetting our past makes it harder to navigate our future.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

I’m always saddened thinking of the lives of people past who’s stories are no longer told or were never told. Thank you for the hard work, videos and history lessons ❤️

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

I can understand completely. One of the saddest things I see when I visit a cemetery where relatives are buried are the bronze grave markers now turned green with neglect since no-one comes to visit anymore. I suppose it's inevitable since years go by and families move away but it's still sad.

[@davidlord7364]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 time devouers all things....🙏🏻

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@davidlord7364 That it does sir, that it does.

[@heatherbell3224]

My ancestor was a blacksmith on the Lewis and Clark trip, John shields.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@conniebarbey]

I lived in St Louis all my life. Please pronounce it correctly.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@conniebarbey - Watch the first 5 minutes of this video and then get back to me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ScpaOBiNRrpNUsi=VTHIB4cfg4jMLfgO

[@ginbro008]

Jefferson Barracks is a good place to visit. They had a small civil war museum there, and the cemetary is where so many veterans are buried. Makes me tear up.

[@marygrummer9189]

My Dad is there

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Richard Barnes Mason and Don Carlos Buell, buried side by side, were both married to the same woman (at different times). His widow married Buell after his death. Susan Blow, whose grave you showed, was the granddaughter of the man who owned Dred Scott.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ahhhh…..interesting. Thanks for the extra info!

[@ldg2655]

Wow! Great info!

[@shawnsmith780]

😮 Wow!

[@jimreilly917]

Susan Blow…founder of the US educational concept of kindergarten.

[@johnresto1603]

Please do more of these videos. I love visiting historic cemeteries and looking for veterans.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Will do!

[@randyduncan4672]

​@@TheHistoryUnderground you'd find KZbin show Hollywood Graveyard very interesting, not just movie stars but history in general. Great material!

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

People think of cemeteries as a place of death, but I agree and contend they are a place of life. From the glorious cemeteries like Arlington where the individual stories scream as loud as a Stadium after a Game 7 winning home run, to a small Pioneer Cemetery on the Oregon trail, the individual stories are compelling and fascinating. Thank you J.D.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@garretvaughn7936]

Always fascinating to see the history behind the tombstones on your tours of cemeteries. I am reminded that John Wayne’s character Rooster Cogburn in “True Grit” named his cat after Gen. Sterling Price. Nice to know his history, not just as a cat’s name!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I almost threw that clip in. 😂

[@AnneBerbling]

We also had a kitty named Gen.Sterling Price because of Rooster Cogburn (and my G-G-Grandfather was in Price's Command) - 😊 (An "orange marmalade" kitty, I might add, just like Rooster's - 😺 )

[@adamyancey7452]

As a St Louis native, I’ve always wanted to visit this cemetery and Calvary cemetery. So much of this city is built on the ideas and innovations of people buried here. Thanks for the tour!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Great place. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stlredbirds85]

Gotta admit, I resonate with this. Yet avoid it because it's a rough area to say the least.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@stlredbirds85 - Well, let’s just say that I went in with the proper gear in case things went sideways. 😄

[@adriennejames9120]

I have relatives buried at Bellefontaine... thanks for featuring this beautiful, historic cemetary!

[@puddysue]

I love going through cemeteries. I find them peaceful, beautiful, and I love reading the stones and thinking about all the people there.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Me too!

[@hoozurmama883]

I'm from St. Louis and love this video. There's a great book, "Final Resting Place: The Lives and Deaths of Famous St. Louisans" that goes through the cemeteries and tells the stories. Maybe you've already been there but Jefferson Barracks has some interesting graves including the mass grave of the men that were in Lt. Meehan's plane on D-Day. My Dad is buried there and I stop by and lay flowers on that grave also when I visit.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow! Thanks! And yes, episode 1 of History Traveler (waaaay back) was filmed at Jefferson Barracks.

[@rachelutterback405]

St. Louis is my adopted home town! Love hearing more about the history. The locals pronounce Bellefontaine like the English "bell-fountain." 🙃

[@susanmorgan5591]

Yes. Never heard it pronounced the “correct” way by locals.

[@busbey61]

There is a Bellefontaine Ohio that is pronounced Bell-Fountain.

[@pegballou9629]

Same with the town in Ohio. Always tell a furner.

[@terryadams1951]

JD, when my Dad was a teenager (was a corporal in WWII), he and a couple of friends found a petrified stump, back in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, while they were squirrel hunting. Just an off the wall remark by one of his friends, that if something happened to him, he would want the stump for his headstone! And, as fate would have it, the young man died not too many years later. So, my Dad, with the help of a mule and some other people, moved it to where anyone can see it today, in a cemetery where most of my ancestors are buried, including my father. Also, as a side note, I have ancestral relatives buried there that fought on both sides during the civil war!

[@DruinStLouis]

Thank you for correctly pronouncing “Bellefontaine”. I’ve learned wonderful facts from you about this historic cemetery today. Thank you. 😊

[@jackiemack8653]

I believe the name means beautiful fountain in French

[@blackcatpratt]

Correct by French standards, maybe, but pronounced "Belle-fountain" in St. Louis.

[@stflaw]

John Pope had a habit of ending his orders with the phrase Headquarters in the Saddle. Robert E Lee, upon learning this, said, "His headquarters were where his hindquarters should be."

[@beckybanta126]

There is no one else I'd rather stroll thru a cemetery than you. I love history & recognize real persons & theitmr contributions no matterhow small. Thank you for bringing these folks to our attention....they are still rippling down to us. I would so love a stump as a grave marker! A politician serving multi terms to "would be called a rookie"....touche'! I lived 8 years in Lexington, KY & even tho it was surrended by downtown, the cemetery there with pond, trees, flowes was very quiet & peaceful. Found several gravesites of those that added to KY history. Loved sitting on the benches & just being. Well-l, until a goose would nibble on my leg. 🤪🤗

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@Chiller11]

That is a pretty creative pick up line.

[@alanscott8795]

I went to HS in Saint Louis County and remember visiting and photographing parts of this cemetery way back then. Thanks for the memories.

[@artist6135]

Cemeteries are just big fields of history!! As a cemetery Restorationist, I hate how bad some of these stones look. Lichen, moss, acid rain and just plain dirt are literally eating away these historic monuments. Every stone has a story. Thanks for the history walk. ❤

[@marypettitt9150]

There's a lot of peace in seeing rows of markers.

[@user-yi7lj2xh2j]

Great episode. You should look into Woodland cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. The Wright brothers are buried there, and there are hundreds of other famous historic people, too. Also, Hill Crest cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is an all black cemetery that is full of civil war, Great War, WWII, and Buffalo soldiers. I found this one while helping a coworker locate his dads grave. He was 8 at the time, over 60 years ago. We couldn't find the grave itself, but he remembered the place. Very emotional.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely want to visit that place.

[@mattellemorgan2710]

Are there any Lee's buried here? I think my pioneer relatives came from this area. Something about them being orphaned @ st. Joseph?(st john? I've always been curious why they were.

[@anthonycalbillo9376]

And a great big hello from Springfield! Try taking a piece of paper, and a crayon, and make a tombstone rubbing.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@williamrobinson827]

What, you live in Springfield, MO and no mention of his reference to Wilson's Creek? 😀

[@anthonycalbillo9376]

@@williamrobinson827 Yes, I remember him saying that, I just wanted to say hi.

[@David-tm8sl]

Such a beautiful cemetery. There is always so much history to be learned from a tour like this. 😊

[@deathlikereviews6648]

I am a former employee at Calvary , it is absolutely beautiful and you should go back and see the new Dred Scott Memorial. It is absolutely gorgeous.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. I’ll have to check that out.

[@deathlikereviews6648]

It was just installed last year,I might be mistaken but I believe it was donated by a great great granddaughter of his

[@ldg2655]

Yes, please visit Wilson’s Creek. It is well worth the visit! I truly enjoy these cemetery visits. I love history, and Early American/Civil War history in particular. Thank you for doing these!

[@pigoff123]

What a smart man. School on the river sounds like fun.

[@philindablanc]

As a St. Louisian, it’s pronounced Bella-fountain. Also, my friends father was the caretaker there and the cemetery was our playground. No, we didn’t climb the tombstones, we just had a lot of ground to run around.

[@ltldxy71]

Yep. As always, in Missouri, we have our own twist on the French language.

[@conniebarbey]

Thank you for saying this

[@leannsmreker3201]

My brother in law Dennie Berger worked there for years.

[@lisawooley6714]

There is a Bellefontaine in Ohio. We say Bell fountain. My grandparents lived there.

[@theJohnGaltLine]

​@@ltldxy71There have been articles published suggesting the pronunciation of French names in St. Louis might indeed be the way the French settlers pronounced it at the time. Just like English is much different than English was several hundred years ago.

[@ai3985rghh]

I was born and raised in Bellefontaine Neighbors. I've passed that cemetery countless times and have always been intrigued by the rich history those graves represent. I was told the area was named after an early frontier fort located on the Mississippi. Would like to see that someday, if it is still there. On a different note, there is a prominent street in St. Louis named Lindell Blvd. I wonder if it was named after Jesse Lindell. Sad to see his grave monument toppled over. On yet another note, wasn't John Wayne's cat named Gen. Sterling Price in the movie True Grit? Thanks for the video. Much appreciated.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I ALMOST included that John Wayne clip. 😂

[@mikemyers3382]

My great-grandfather was a stone mason who worked on the Eads Bridge.

[@Jerry-fn5nx]

Wow! A lot of historical figures buried out there, that you would have never thought of. Love William Clarks monument. Big Lewis and Clark fan here lol

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pretty cool place.

[@turtleladi1020]

My cousin was a care taker at Bellefontaine Cemetery for many years. He lived in a home by the old entrance off of West Florissant. My family has great memories of being at their home and spending time there. We now work with our Geocaching group 1 times a year doing CITO events helping to keep the trash and debris clean on the grounds. There are lots of geocaches there too. Wonderful video BTW!

[@ndwilson7323]

Thank you for your efforts, American history is endlessly fascination and so are cemeteries. Thank you !

[@DA-bp8lf]

I could watch these all day! Keep them coming and thank you!!! 👏👏👏

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@bunnysthndr]

💥This is by far the 🏆"BEST "🏆 cemetery tour video I have watched!💯!!!

[@Wreckdiver59]

A lot of history packed into that cemetery. Thanks for the tour 👍 On a side note, Adolphus Bush's great grandson purchased and scuttled a wrecked cargo ship in the Florida Keys as an artificial reef after renaming it after his great grandfather. I've had the opportunity to dive on the Adolphus Bush 3-4 times.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow! Didn’t know that.

[@HatCreekMan57]

Sterling Price was the name of John Wayne's cat in True Grit.

[@karengailpetty7159]

Enjoyed this cemetery so much! Keep these coming any time you can. Love the glimpses into the lives of our ancestors. Thanks, JD

[@mikenixon2401]

Glad you are back in the U.S. We need you to make a national tour and teach people what positives we have in our history. I enjoy when you go through Missouri, in particular St. Louis, as it reminds me living and learning there before we came home to Texas. I always wondered how families afforded such artistic tombs and grave markers.

[@AnneBerbling]

This is one of my favorite places... I'm commenting here before watching (I'll watch tonight on the big tv instead of my phone) - I hope you "visited" Sadie Waters, whose reclining bronze likeness is so very striking (like so many we saw in Pére-Lachaise in Paris, where Sadie passed while studying art, there) - so many stories in Bellefontaine!

[@BellesDreams]

So nice to see you again, I have missed your videos. I know you struggled after having all your equipment stolen a while back…thank you for what you do ❤

[@ponderingthepast]

Such a stellar, riveting, and excellent tour. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@bettejeanspatafore6950]

This is where many members of my family are interred. Thank you for sharing this. 💜💡✌️💜

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

JD, flat out love your channel. I learn so much!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@TheOccultChronicles]

I absolutely love these cemetery episodes. Thanks for sharing your fascinating knowledge!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@kcbc4jc165]

Not old history but that is where Rush Limbaugh is also buried. He was a huge history buff himself and loved the historical nature of this cemetery

[@Jasoos_Jasonda]

And a huge d1&khead

[@tomritter493]

All interesting places love the history that goes behind headstones

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@sportcardcollector9599]

Another great video your always doing your best for trying to share our country history 🇺🇲

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I try! Thanks.

[@AnneBerbling]

JD, those "log" headstones were often from the Modern Woodman Insurance Company - every policy came with a headstone - some were a lot more elaborate than others, but all were some variation of the tree stump (a life cut short) or a stack of logs - also, we got locked in one visit, except it was December and dark. I was mortified, but we called the number. 😉

[@blackcatpratt]

LOL, hi Mom. I thought this comment sounded like you! He mispronounced Bellefontaine (by STL standards) - I had to point it out!

[@sandyg202]

Cemeteries are treasure troves of history! Fascinating and rich in American stories! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@jeffe9842]

I like going through old cemeteries even if there are no famous people buried in them. Incidentally, did you know that William Clark and George Rogers Clark were brothers?

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Quite true! William was George's kid brother!

[@foxxymccloud988]

Love the videos. Been watching for a long time. I like that you don’t unnecessarily keep trying to do more. You’ve figured it out, and I hope it stays like this!

[@gmack99]

Thank you for what you do this is my favorite KZbin channel of all time the way you tell history is just amazing 🙌 thank you

[@carolynpurser7469]

So much history can be found in cemeteries. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Wherestheredwave]

That looks better maintained than I would think. Often drove by on work errands and have wanted to go there but I’m not wanting to go alone

[@mariascudder3277]

My Favorite General and relative is buried in Calvary Cemeter.Born in Ohio , lived in St Louis buried along with his family , He is General William Tecumseh Sherman

[@robertvirtue]

I love these cemetery tours J.D. You do a great job. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@jasepyle1221]

Great video JD! Leaving in the morning for NYC & after seeing grants tomb & TR’s this trip I will have been to all the presidents graves

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice!

[@jasepyle1221]

@@TheHistoryUnderground yep I’m super excited about it

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

I enjoyed this video so much. I love older cemeteries. from the ages of 11 - 16 my family lived in a very small town in NH & we had to walk to school. everyday in warm or no snow weather our daily shortcut was through the town cemetery. Even then i loved walking through it. I am & always have been a history nerd to my core.

[@terryeustice5399]

JD a great tour of this Historic Cemetery. Loved it. And lots of different individuals that are buried there. A great narrative of them. Thanks for sharing! 💯👊👍❤️

[@NickyB0718]

Great video. I’m glad you did a new cemetery one.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@anitatucker8812]

Thanks J.D. for sharing with us.

[@Corgis175]

That has to be scary, locked in. Very historic tour, thank you.

[@spacehonky6315]

I am aware that James Eads built the beautiful first bridge across the Mississippi river, and that he designed and built the ironclad boats that were so instrumental in General Grant's Civil War victories in the west. However, i did not know Eads was responsible for designing the structures in the river that direct the current to keep the main channel deep and clear. Quite the brilliant man!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

The dude was seriously amazing.

[@jimsimpson8169]

Larry Wilson, who used to play for the St. Louis football Cardinals is buried there to. I was in the same classroom in grade school with his daughter.

[@Figgatella]

One of my favorite cemeteries! Great video!❤

[@alexc1287]

Loves these types of videos, very interesting. I love checking out old historic cemeteries on my travels.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@berenke11]

Excellent stuff JD. Absolutely fascinating history.

[@debrasams2362]

Thank you. So interesting. It is sad that some of the old monuments have not been cared for. Some really nice markers. So much history.

[@bethann0808]

Always love your cemetery ramblings.... Thank you! ❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you like them!

[@jacquestedcooper]

This episode was extremely interesting and educational. Thank you so much.

[@pmccoy8924]

Very nice they mark Civil War graves with their own plaques. Very nice touch.

[@24escalade]

I can't wait till you make your way to Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland. So much history at that cemetery.

[@jhsams1977]

Thank you JD awesome work as always!

[@couchfighter]

dude so pumped you are here!!!!! alton illinois is really neat also!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@anndean965]

Just wanted you to know…I really appreciate you and your channel. 😊

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@MarineOne-]

Thanks JD another great video on America's history.

[@marylochhead7867]

Thank you, I love cemetery history.

[@giselegamble9973]

Love this! I will have to visit Bellefontaine Cemetery the next time I am in St Louis. Yes, Sterling Price also fought battles in Independence, Little Blue River, and Lone Jack.

[@VannMcDuffie]

Love visiting historic cemetery’s to learn more about my family history and history bout my state of Alabama.

[@Josh.T.H.]

Another excellent video! I love visiting that cemetery. Its so rich in U.S. history!

[@coolohiobreeze2037]

I just "found" you and I love your video here. Will be definitely watching more, because I so love History and you are wonderful with that! Oh, and sorry you got locked in there at Bellefontaine! Hope you got out of there, quickly enough!! :)

[@KendallKidd63]

You do a fantastic job with this channel JD

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@JMCAragorn]

I absolutely LOVE cemeteries. You've inspired me to look up who might be buried in my area...!!! I was lucky enough (during a work trip) to wander around a cemetery in Oneonta NY, and Deadwood SD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That is awesome!

[@sonofhawaii4227]

Wow there’s so many historical figures in one cemetery! I really enjoyed this one JD! Aloha 🤙🏼

[@ExploringHistoryTogether]

Great tour, thanks so much! (And hopefully you didn't have to wait too long for security to come let you out.) Love the episode!

[@dawni5365]

Great video!!!! Thank YOU

[@jonorr7984]

That was so awesome! Well done! Thank you!

[@MickeyJWind]

a Garry Adelman reference on the history traveler. we are all in for it

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@EstellaBeard]

Wow! Thanks! You taught me quite a few things! I love the story of the floating steam boat! I never knew that.

[@basilsage1313]

Great as always, love history. Thank you Thumbs up people !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Fascinating video JD! I was really struck by the Adolphus Busch mausoleum, in a way it's VERY similar to the grand mausoleums immgrant German brewmasters erected in one of the older cemeteries in Newark NJ. All men who came here with nothing and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. I can't help but wonder if those structures were kind of a middle-finger flip-off to the German aristocracy under who's regime these men would have never been more than what they were in the old country? We'll never know I guess. But you can't miss the inscription over the door of the Busch mausoleum: Veni, Vidi, Vici. From Julius Caesar... "I came, I saw, I conquered!" He sure did! Oh, you're getting locked in? I'm sure you're not the first and won't be the last! Thanks for posting!

[@mikehawthorne3374]

Thought I'd watch for a bit, wound watching it all!

[@craigdymock2571]

So interesting! You should put the Salt Lake City cemetery on your list! So much American history and pioneer exploring history! Be brave and come out west!

[@only1dutchgirl]

Thanks for all the hard work on these videos. It saddens me to see how neglected these gravemarkers are.

[@jimmyhorton8297]

So much history in Illinois. The Grant house, Lincoln house and tomb, Lewis and Clark camp, love it. I’ve made it to the Lincoln house and tomb, gotta go back and hit the museum, then the Grant house.

[@user-zt1gl6px7i]

"A dreaded sunny day, so I'll meet you at the cemetery gates"...

[@Nighthawk1966]

Nice job JD ! Very informative & interesting !!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 👍

[@cyndiebill6631]

Very cool. When you walk through an old cemetery it’s like walking back in time. I live in New England so we have cemetery’s that date back as early as the 1600. A lot of the early settlers graves are hard to find unless you know were to look. Hope you do more of these visits they’ve fun and very interesting. A friend of mine lived on a farm that had a family graveyard dating back to the 1700. It was owned by the same family until her parents bought in the 60s.

[@chrisnorcutt9060]

People Don’t All To Excited About Looking Around Because Each and Everyone Of Us You Be There Before You Know It 👍