From Dred Scott to the founder of St. Louis, the state of Missouri is the final resting place of many well-known historical figures, entertainers, business leaders, activists and heroes. The lives of these famous (and infamous) celebrities reflect Missouri’s history as a hub of cultural connections and brave trailblazers.
William S. Burroughs
This icon of the Beat Generation (shown here on the left) and author of Naked Lunch grew up in St. Louis and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Photo credit: JillMc1 / Flickr
James Thomas “Cool Papa” Bell
Known as one of the fastest men to ever play baseball, this center fielder for the St. Louis Stars in the Negro leagues was a fan favorite.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Stanley Musial
Stan Musial, St. Louis baseball giant, is buried in Bellerive Gardens Cemetery in Creve Coeur.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Chuck Berry
Known as the godfather of rock and roll, Chuck Berry was a singer, songwriter and longtime St. Louis booster.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Tennessee Williams
Famous playwright Tennessee Williams spent much of his life in Missouri and is buried near his mother in Calvary Cemetery.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Andy Williams
This prolific singer and variety show host was a star in Branson in his later years, and when he died, his ashes were sprinkled at his theater there.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Dred Scott
This St. Louis hero was an enslaved black man who sued for his freedom and is now buried in Calvary Cemetery where gravesite visitors place pennies on his grave — generally considered a reference to our Abraham Lincoln’s and the abolitionist movement.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Chris von der Ahe
German-American entrepreneur and owner of the St. Louis Brown Stockings, which later became the St. Louis Cardinals.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Eberhard Anheuser
Businessman and father-in-law of Adolphus Busch, the founder of the Anheuser-Busch Company.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Thomas Hart Benton
Democrat, senator and proponent of the idea of “westward expansion,” which later became known as Manifest Destiny.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Henry Shaw
The man who made Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden is buried in the mausoleum on the grounds at the garden.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Susan Blow
Known as the “Mother of Kindergarten,” she opened and ran the first successful public kindergarten in the country.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Mickey Carroll
One of the original munchkins in the Wizard of Oz, Mickey Carroll was also one of the sweetest men in all of St. Louis.
Photo credit: Jennifer Silverberg
Daniel Boone
One of the most famous explorers in history, Boone is buried in Marthasville.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Adolphus Busch
This co-founder of Anheuser-Busch has a very beautiful gravesite in in Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Kate Chopin
This author of The Awakening was born in St. Louis and is buried in Calvary Cemetery.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
William Clark
Explorer William Clark was originally buried downtown, but sometime in the 1860s his body was moved to Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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