Welcome to the trailhead of the Historic Loop Trail (HLT).
If you haven't already, please grab a trail map from the guidebook box at the front office where you entered the Cemetery. This trail is a 1.3-mile loop that will take you through the center of the 314 acres of these historic grounds. The path that you will take through each Cemetery section is indicated by a limestone stepper footpath, and each road crossing is denoted by a granite step and a black metal post with a QR code. Each QR code will share unique information about historical figures and plants in the Arboretum's collection in that section. The HLT Trailhead is in Section Sunset.
The Historic Loop Trail begins at the Willow Entrance just left of the streetlamp post (as pictured here). QR codes on each entry into a new Cemetery section will give you insight into people and horticulture along the Historic Loop. The Loop navigates between family lots and utilizes some of the seven miles of carriage pathways found in the Cemetery. Carriage pathways were four- to five-foot-wide paths for horse-drawn hearses to bring the deceased as close to family lots as possible. With the use of a flagstone pathway, one can navigate the trail without infringing on graves.
Exploring the Arboretum
Welcome to Missouri's first Level III Arboretum! There are over 10,000 individual trees and shrubs in the Arboretum's living collection, representing over 600 species and varieties. Along the entirety of the historic loop trail at each road entrance, you will see shrub hydrangea plantings, guiding you at the road crossings and giving you a glimpse of our impressive hydrangea collection. In this section you will come across both the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia - pictured here) and the panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata).
- By clicking on a plant’s scientific name, it will take you to our partner the Missouri Botanical Garden’s PlantFinder page for that species, where you can learn more about it.
- To view the location of all 10,000 trees and shrubs in our collection around you on a map of Bellefontaine, please visit our online TreeKeeper database! Make sure you have your location services turned on for your device.
Significant Figures
Map Reference: Stop 1, Letter A
William M. Joyce
"Scrappy Bill" | Baseball Player | Lot #6374
Professional baseball player (third base) and manager. "Scrappy Bill," as he was called, played for teams including the Brooklyn Ward’s Wonders, Boston Reds, Washington Senators, and New York Giants. He holds the record for four triples in a single game, which he accomplished in 1897. This accomplishment ties with George Strief’s 1885 four triples.
Map Reference: Stop 1, Letter B
Emmy Ross Brockelmann, MD
Physician | Lot #5939
Emmy met her future husband, Herman, while both were studying abroad. Once their studies were complete, Herman returned to his home in the United States with his new bride, Emmy. The unique image of her monument was part of the signage for her medical practice throughout her career.
