Exploring Bellefontaine Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2017
- St. Louis, Missouri's Bellefontaine is one of the crown jewels of American cemeteries. It is as much famous for its works of art as it is for its notable burials. Come walk with me...
Music Credits:
Almost in F - Tranquillity by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
I work at this cemetery, I absolutely adore it. It is so peaceful.
I totally agree! Thanks so much!
As a person who has only recently become a cemetery enthusiast and tourist, I was supremely impressed and awestruck by your park and your neighbor Cavalry next door. Both were superbly kept with monuments at a scale I have never seen before. As of now they both are easily my favorite graveyards
my son had the ho or of being a nighttime security guard at this beautiful cemetery. He said he often imagined the whispers of long gone souls..echoing so softly among the hills and valleys of this lovely place.
What a beautiful thought ❤
My mother-in-law was buried here in July of 2015 - one of the first "green" burials offered at this cemetery. It was a beautiful ceremony. She was not embalmed. My husband and his brother bathed and wrapped her in the shroud themselves, and drove her to the cemetery. The cemetery, which is also an arboretum, provided flowers and bows from redbud trees for us to place on top of her shroud. Friends and family then shoveled the dirt over her ourselves, though this was of our choosing.
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Bless you all
Next time you're at Bellefontaine Cemetery, you might want to check out the Lemp family tomb.The Lemps were beer barons and had an underground speakeasy during the prohibition under Lemp Mansion @3322 DeMenil Place, in St Louis. There are tunnels going from the 'basement' underground {along with an underground pool and theater, amongst other things...) to the LEMP brewery a block or so over. There were several deaths/suicides in the Lemp family in the mansion, along with 'Zeke' a deformed little boy who was kept away in the attic. Now the family is interred in the Lemp family tomb, which is the largest tomb in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Besides, they have Halloween bashes (Thanks to the Pointer family who purchased the mansion.) on the Saturday before Halloween. I've flown from Dallas to St Louis for the Halloween Bashes for several years....even through the year just to be in the atmosphere over a weekend, the mansion is incredible! Time Life, amongst others, has declared the Lemp Mansion one of the top ten haunted mansions in America. Im a sensitive.... there are definitely "something" walking around the mansion. But.... it's comforting, which is odd with all the deaths. It's also now a BNB, and has a family-style chicken dinner on Sundays. They also have Murder Mystery Dinners & tours amongst other things given by Betsy Ballenger, a psychic & paranormal investigator, (as I am) along with events all through the year. You can read more online, lempmansion.com, email: (owner) patty@lempmansion.com, phone: 314-664-8024... But it would've been neat if you got to do a story on the Lemp family's tomb. (I've personally gotten to know the family (Pointers) over the years....they are wonderful people!!!) Plus, the mansion is easy to find.and the crypt is massive...
Matt its been two years since I first saw this and till this day the line where you say "it makes one wonder when was the last time someone stood over their graves that knew them in life who last weep for them" brings a tear to my eye for that is the fate of all of us in time only things like these obscure records of a long forgotten TH-cam will be the only proof we ever existed.. Your narrative is just incredibly beautiful your voice soothing and calming . Greetings from a fellow Californian now in Salt Lake City !!
This is why I don't wanna be buried
@@Silenced23 Don't want to be a forgotten grave?
Matt really has such a respectful attitude as he describes ( with such attention to accurate detail) these wonderful grave stones🙏
@@ahsatan8997 Glad to hear Satan ihas emotion! Cheers!
@@ahsatan8997 those are the bittersweet ones no doubt!
My mother and I had nice quiet drive thru the cemetery many years ago. Beautiful.
I had no idea of its beauty being so close to where my family and I have lived for years. What a treasure.
SEEN ON A GRAVESTONE
My dear friend as you pass by,
as you are now so once was I,
As I am now so once you"ll be,
so be prepared to follow me.
Beautifully done. We often forget to take the time to learn from the past. Funerals are for the living and not the dead, therefore we see the countless lives impacted by the simple stone. Less not forget what we have now and enjoy those we love.
Narrators voice and heartfelt emotions made me cry! I truly enjoyed everything that was given! God bless you sir!
Thank you so much. Your very kind words mean more to me than you know. :)
Grave Explorations Your very welcome!
Irene Quidachay very moving this video
Very well thought out. Almost a poetic trip through history. Great job.
I love your closing statement so much. There are so many stories in this cemetery. Someone shared the profound statement this past weekend that we die twice: the first time is our last breath and the second death is the last time our name is mentioned/remembered.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to write that very touching comment.
@@graveexplorations ,,,,That same sentiment is apropos with regard to the service & sacrifices of any Veteran of a conflict this nation has been involved in throughout the years.....Never forget those warriors who persevered and by doing so, preserved our country.....
The background music was the perfect accompaniment.
Beautiful old cemetery. Makes me wonder how long does it take to become a lost and forgotten person after you die. Time marches on and does not stop to let one of us off the earth when we die. As a nurse, I learned nothing changes when someone dies. Time continues and people continue what they are doing. Always seemed like everyone should stop for a few seconds and take a moment of silence. You have a great channel.
"It is appointed unto a man once to die, but after this the judgment" Heb. 9:27. Be prepared for death and do not let human pride exclude you from The Kingdom of God. We shall see some of these dear ones again.
@@chriswhite3332 very well said thank you
Yes ma'am and thank you as well. So many facinating live's and stories to tell. However, without Jesus all is eternal vanity......
GREAT VIDEO VERY INFORMATIVE , THANK YOU TO ALL. AND GOD BLESS.🙏🙏🙏🙏
There is something special about this video. I've watched it about six or seven times over the past couple of weeks and it almost puts me in a trance while viewing. This man knows what he's doing.
I grew up in St.Louis and never knew the history here. Beautifully done
This made me cry. Your narrative is so beautiful. Very beautiful.
Thank you for watching and your very kind words. It was such a privilege to be able to visit this very special place.
a very beautiful cemetery!
i cried too
Why did you guys cry? Are you all upset?
i found this very comforting and calming
That was a work of art. A masterpiece.
Absolutely wonderful. Both the fiming and narration were impeccable.
How charming! Bellafontaine even surpasses Graceland & Rosehill cemeteries in Chicago, IL! Unbelievable!
It’s a beautiful cemetery I plowed snow there I saw a few of the monuments mentioned in this video nice and well kept
Hard to believe that at one time St. Louis was bigger than Chicago. So much history here in the states. You don't have to go overseas to get history.
No you don't, however in Europe the history goes back further. Both are fascinating.
One particularly interesting grave at Bellefontaine is that of English singer and actress Alice May (1847-1887). She died while on tour in St. Louis. She is in the "paupers" section. I tried to find her marker several years ago but all the headstones in that area had toppled over. Her marker has since been restored. I hope to make it back to view it sometime soon.
A beautifully composed and narrated video of "ordinary people" who were extraordinary in their own right.
The legacy we leave behind are the deeds performed today, and how well we accomplished this is based on the positive effects we had on others. Share, Care, Love.
Bellefontaine is a very amazing place. You could spend the whole day walking around the grounds and still miss things. It is both majestic and sobering, rich in history and emotionally drawing.
So very true, it was an amazing experience, one I won't forget.
Beautiful cemetery and the narrative was perfect well said and even more beautiful, powerful and comforting .
Omg I love your video especially the lady in the glass thank God they keep the place up
Rose Lauk Thank you, I very glad you enjoyed the video 😊
A great video and a beautiful cemetary. You can just sense the passage of time by looking at how the elements have affected the monuments year after year. Also, the background music was lovely.
Thank you for watching. Exploring here was an unforgettable experience.
The landscaping is spectacular...so many lush green trees....it's beautiful. Thank you!
Thank you for the upload.
Enjoying your series.
Watching from Australia.
Hands Down, by Far, the very best documentary I have ever had the pleasure of viewing!! If your interest and fascination is with, not only the history of a grand old city and it's people, but the beauty, elegance and mysteries that a headstone has to offer in a gorgeous, landscaped "city of the dead" then BOY, are you in for a treat!!
I believe this narrator has, and feels, the same awe I do upon entering a cemetery. I could stay on this trip with him for hours. I wish you could go to cemeteries all over the US, and take us on another great adventure.
Mt.Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, TN is exactly in this flavor. Well known, or not so much, fascinating stories of the people in Tennessee. Whether living their whole lives there, or dying there, its a history to tell of the development of Nashville. Saint Louis has a beloved memory in America. It's a shame so much in the last few decades has been troubling for this city. I was wonderful to remember the time this city was exceptional. It had people citizens with great things to do and to be discovered. Keep this up, I want more exploring from you!
Thank you for your very kind words. Bellefontaine was quite a pleasant surprise. Prior to going here I spent a week touring cemeteries in Illinois, and I more or less came here on a whim. As I say in the video, it was late in the day, and there was so much left to see. Not a day has gone by since I left that it hasn't been calling me back. Some time soon I hope to be able to continue a series on his beautiful location. Please forgive the lateness of my reply.
Beautiful Place.
This was a very well done video. if you like exploring cemeteries you should check out Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati Ohio and also Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta Georgia. Both of them are Victorian cemeteries and they're beautiful.
The best Historical context in my opinion. Thanks for posting.
You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.
Such a beautiful place. I do hope you get back there to visit when you can schedule more time and give this place the series it is begging you for.
You should also consider a spring trip to Louisville Kentucky to film Cave Hill Cemetery.
Spring is when the trees start to flower. It is breathtaking covered in cherry and tulip tree blossoms! It is another place you could easily get lost in.
Rolling hills, streams, ponds, amazing sculptured headstones and crypts.
The Main Office in the center is even a thing of beauty.
Look the place up. It will be worth it.
I moved down to Florida and miss Cave Hill terribly. It was my favorite cemetery to wander in.
Thank you. Cave Hill has been high up on my list for quite some time. I'm trying to figure out a way to include it in a grant tour visit of the area. Thanks again and please forgive the lateness of my reply.
Love the stories you told...thank you....beautiful
Thank you very much for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)
I love that song and how perfectly peaceful it looked really excellent thank you for the feeling i have now you made me heart burn with a good sense of pride and peace.thanks again from me to you .your new best friend joe🌹🌹🌹🌹❤❤❤❤
Thank you, Joe for your very kind words and please forgive the lateness of my reply.
No problem everything you did in the video was so happy
😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍✨✨✨✨✨😃🎂to you 😊🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sweet soothing music.......sweet poetic words in a place comparable to heaven on earth.
I subbed. Anyone who would take the time and effort to make such a well put together documentary deserves a sub.
Great job. I live about 20 miles from Bellefontaine. Recently I went there for my first visit. I declined a paid tour. I drove around with friends, and got lost. Thank you for sharing this, and allowing comments too.
Thank you for watching and commenting! While I was walking around in here I realized I couldn't find my car. It took me about a half hour to locate it, but it seemed like forever, the place is huge!
I just stumbled upon your video. As a lifelong resident of several communities just outside of St. Louis, both in Illinois and Missouri, I have heard of but have never personally visited Bellefontaine Cemetery, of which I like your pronunciation and feel it may be more historically accurate. It is indeed beautiful. As one interested in researching our family history, I find cemeteries comforting. I can't help but think with each memorial, "what was their life like?" "Were they happy?" "What events shaped their lives?" Thank you for the respectful way you narrated this and for sharing some of the life stories of those gone before. You have a new subscriber and I look forward to exploring your channel.
Beautifully done! Here in St. Louis we pronounce it Bell-fountain, like water fountain. I don't know why. Perhaps just a corruption of its original and intended pronunciation. We also have a road and a town here that share that name, and we all say Bell-fountain.
Oh no! Now I have to redo video! LOL Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. The more I pronounce Bell-fountain, the more I like the sound of it. I am looking forward to a return visit.
I lived near green acres off Colony Dr....... beautiful cemetery with alot of history
Did it ever occur to you that he might be right and we have been saying it wrong all these years? I've always called it Bell- fountain too, but I think it just might be Bell fon tane'.
i am glad you mentioned that. i grew up in St. Louis and it was always pronounced Bell-Fountain.
I had a lady that was my area sales manager from St Louis she also called it Bell- Fountain. She lived there.
That voice is so soothing, you have such a relaxing manner. I could listen to the phone book if this narrator was reading it.
Thanks so much for your very kind words :)
Well done. Nice exploration. Great details.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed.
What a lovely memorial to those gone before us.... someone is remembering them again in a quiet and respectful way. So many go to those haven's of rest who seek to destroy and wreck the precious memories....you go quietly to honor and respect. How I would love to walk that peaceful place and just read the stones and think of all the now untold stories. Thank you so much!
Grumpy Granny Thank you so much, your words mean more to me than you know. ☺️
Thank you Matt, Bellefontaine is such a beautiful cemetery, it's so peaceful and the grave monuments are so beautiful & unusual. You always seem to bring the people to life again, by telling their stories, and about the lives they once lived. You always do it in such a respectful way. Sadie Waters story was most intresting,& George Wolf the old steam boat captain. The composer for Pres. Lincoln's funeral, & Gen. Mason who's report caused the Gold Rush Amazing history of so many people. I love to hear about all these people who lay at rest here, at Bellefontaine. I hope you can go back and explore it again. It becons & awaits another visit from you.
I love old cemeteries. I live in St. Louis and have always wanted to visit this one. I think Tennessee Williams is buried there. I live next to two old Jewish cemeteries and they are very beautiful. I also love country cemeteries. My grandparents are buried in a secluded rural cemetery with the rest of my family. It is very old and peaceful. When I was a child, my mom used to take us to a forgotten cemetery out in the woods which had been overgrown, the gravestones toppled over and completely abandoned my time. Some of the tombs were from the 1800s. I always thought it was so sad that all those graves were forgotten. It felt like such a sad and lonely place.
I live in ST Louis I do enjoy this cemetery it is so peaceful and the history behind it is something that puts you back in time with these people.
This is an amazing place and your video presentation was fantastic as always. Cemeteries have always been a part of my life from a little child onward. Visiting the graves of ancestors with my parents to being at the gravesides of my parents and two older brothers. Once you have crossed that line of losing a family member or friend, the places of the dead become the memory gardens of the living.
Love the history, that’s a beautiful cemetery. Awesome job you did with showing . I would love to visit this cemetery.
Very tastefully done and fascinating. Thank you.
Francis Barca Thank you for your very nice comment, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. 🙂
Excellent presentation of a beautiful place.
I love history. I love your voice. I love how you honor those from our past. Subscribed!
I live in an Oil boom town of the mid 1800's. The cemetery is quite spectacular with some of the monuments.
Great video as always! We always enjoy your work!
Much appreciated! Thanks so much!
So sad 😔 but so much beautiful the angel and baby and the two boys got to me
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A cemetery is attractive to me because I realize how short life really is and that we have no control over it. I always feel an urgency to make the most of my own life after seeing people who have already lived and died for many generations already, and experience this sense of ,"there before the grace of God go I. "🤓
Make every moment count. Thank you for watching and commenting. :)
That is true. You can be happy and feel on top of the world and two minutes later you could be dead.
Beautiful...breathtaking... Excellent...What a journey!!
I am from St. Louis--we appreciate you
Very wonderful walk through a beautiful cemetery, how peaceful, all cemeteries are. Thank you , a beautiful narration . The history of those buried there is so interesting. Ones life is like that of a breath, quite short. Its said if ones name is spoken, that person lives again, if only for a brief moment , in our memories. It does make you wonder, who stood here and wept with grief of the loss of their loved one. Sad, but we all will walk this way someday, we know not when .
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing video. Such a peaceful and beautiful location.
My daughter and I spent an afternoon at my mother's gravesite and as we drove around we saw many of the tombstones featured in your wonderful film. My mother's family is all buried there as also I will be buried with my mom. It's a comforting thought. Thanks for an excellent and respectful tape.
Indeed, wondering when was the last time somebody wept for their loved one buried beneath the headstone. I think that thought often when I visit St. Joseph's Cemetery in Columbus Ohio.
Your videos are treasures and the narration is poetic. Thank you so much.
My back yard is a giant graveyard. I see a lot of Graves that never have flowers and are forgotten. Even if you have relatives when you die how long can they live.? Then you are forgotten forever.
thank you for sharing my grandmother always took me and my sister to her cemetery where her family was when we were young she had her spot picked out too.she told us not to be afraid of cemeteries. there is a calmness about going.I know someday I too will be laid to rest with my sweetheart life is precious enjoy each day like it's your last...
Thank you for watching and leaving such a nice comment. :)
don't even know how i got to this video, but you did such a good job. this has got to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries i've ever seen. thank you for sharing.
Thank you sir. I grew up 10 minutes from that cemetery . I never knew of the historical value and backstories of some of the residents. It’s sad how the area has become over the years since their burial.
possibilities, cut short by disease. nature, tragedy and success all in one. so many things so, many times. happy or not...... sad, this video was beautiful thank you
Enjoyed your video very much with stories of past times for these people.
What a lovely, well tended cemetery. As always, interesting video. I love looking at the statuary, wonderful old tombstones, and your music is perfect.
Love this tour...Lots of history in these old cemetaries...Kind of sadness yet peace about this place..Would love to walk these grounds..
Thank you for watching and commenting :)
Wow... Matt I truly believe that this is your very best yet. Outstanding...simply outstanding. Well done. 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you Teresa, I wasn't sure how this video would come out... I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)
Best ever. You must go back again !!
I'm aching to get back there! And right next door is Calvary Cemetery that is every bit as impressive. I could only peek in the entrance gate.
Thank you for the beautiful video.
The beauty and craftmanship, love that went to so many of these are amazing.
The artwork in this cemetery is truly stunning. Thank you for watching!
Beautiful narration, filming, and haunting background piano music! Thankful to have seen this today.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful cemetary.
Beautiful
Thank you very much for all your kind comments. :)
This is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I've ever seen. So glad you captured it and so beautifully as well. I'm getting more and more used to your voice and noticed how measured and calm it is, very appropriate to the subject and its solemnity. Your dialogue really is perfect in its length and content. --- I have two cemeteries to suggest to you if you are out and about: Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta - many notable 19th and 20th and now 21st-century dignitaries, war dead and paupers --- and in Lexington, Kentucky - the Lexington Cemetery in the heart of town. It is more like a beautifully landscaped park much as this St. Louis Cemetery is. Anyway - thanks again for sharing these films.
This is my favorite cemetery I've ever been to. It is the final resting places to a lot more famous people than is mentioned. Absolutely most exquisite cemetery art, lakes and grounds.
Beautiful. Excellent . How many times have I been thru St Lois and never visted this treasure this treasure. I will the next time because of this wonderful video. Thank you.
What a beautiful place some very beautiful head stones
The whole presentation left me speechless and astounded. Excellent closing shot 22:56.
I remarked to my daughter that I wonder how many living still go and visit the deceased. While there I spoke to my mom and again thanked her for the many sacrifices she made for me. My daughter shared in our visit, and we both came away refreshed and thankful all those buried there played a part in our lives. We are the product of past generations. Never forget.
Thank you for sharing. This is truly a special place. I have visited many historic cemeteries, but none quite compare to the feelings I had at Bellefontaine.
it seems very artistic. a thing of beauty with the way you put it together. capturing the heart in a way no one can. its as if you travel in time for a moment and the present day catches up and forces you back. I felt that way everytime I spent time at the myrtles plantation in Louisiana
Thank you! And, you're so right about how a place can give you that feeling of stepping back in time.
Very nice thank you
I love all the story that you tell
Thank you for watching and your very kind words :)
Wao ! Beautiful documental ! Deserve a price ! 🎖🎖🎖🏆🏆
Beautifully put together and very interesting!
Thank you, so glad you liked it :)
amazing , thank you for this wonderful trip through time , this cemetery is a look back at a time in the country when loved ones memories were meant to be remembered kindly and with reverence
Another well done research and narrative. Thanks for giving some of these lost but gratefully by you now never forgotten!
Beautiful cemetery. Thanks for tour
I knew every section of Bellefontaine! I worked there for 3 summers in high school back in the 80s. Trimmed around every single stone there.
Man this is like watching a Ken Burns documentary. You are excellent. Who do we call to get you doing documentaries for history channels or PBS. I have watched several the historical content is exceptional THANK you. You are very talented.
Born and raised in St. Louis. Never knew about this. Many thanks
So beautiful thank you for posting this Cemetery and the Stories very very beautiful 👍🙏🌹
Very good walk through history. Thank you for sharing. Please take care and be safe.
What an amazing place I encourage anyone and everyone to go have a visit and a picnic
Gorges place ! Wao Great program l say Hi from Puerto Rico !
Time is fleeting for us all.