Bellefontaine Cemetery
A Confluence Attraction

Contact
(314) 381-0750

Hours
Cemetery 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Office 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Location
4947 W. Florissant Avenue
St. Louis MO 63115

Directions
(By car) From downtown St. Louis, take I-70 West to exit 245B (West Florissant Avenue). Proceed 1/6-mile to the cemetery.

History and Features
The 310-acre cemetery, an outstanding example of the “garden movement” in 19th century cemetery design, was established in 1849. At this time, St. Louis was the third largest city in America, and Bellefontaine, with its rolling, tree-covered hills overlooking the Mississippi River, attracted many of the community’s wealthy citizens. Many tombs and gravesites, including those of Adolphus Busch and the Wainwrights, Browns and Lemps, were designed by prominent architects.

While a stroll through the grounds reveals the names of many illustrious St. Louisans, including civic and corporate leaders, politicians and literary figures, the cemetery has been open to people of all religions, races and economic groups since it was founded. Commemorate the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial with a visit to the grave of William Clark, marked by an elaborate granite obelisk and bust facing the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Reverend John Berry Meachum, the 19th century African American abolitionist preacher, also rests here.

Maps and self-guided tours are available through the cemetery office.