Exploring the Arboretum
As you pass through Section House, you traverse the final stretch of the Historic Loop Trail and approach the front entrance where you began your hike. Along the way, you’ll encounter a large snag (a deceased, standing tree) left intentionally for wildlife habitat. This large snag is the remains of the former state champion shingle oak. The snags we leave at Bellefontaine provide essential food and nesting sites for species like the red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus – pictured here), a species in decline across the United States. Although sensitive to urban environments, these birds thrive here at Bellefontaine thanks to abundant snag habitat and mature tree canopy, demonstrating the value of ecological stewardship.
To view all the various wildlife found here at Bellefontaine, please visit our iNaturalist Project and eBird Hotspot Checklist containing over 156 species of birds!
Create your own account on each platform, and you can add your own wildlife observations at Bellefontaine to our biodiversity lists. When making wildlife observations with your cell phone, make sure you have your location services turned on!
Significant Figures
Map Reference: Stop 20,
Letter uu
Eliott Smith
Organist & BCA employee | Lot #8029
A gifted musician, Elliott played organ for many local
churches, including Sunny Mount Baptist Church located across from
Bellefontaine on West Florissant. Elliott was also an employee of Bellefontaine
Cemetery and Arboretum. Known to staff as the ‘Gentle Giant,’ Elliott was
well-regarded and was an integral part of the Cemetery staff.
Map Reference: Stop 20,
Letter vv
Judith Mae Kosednar
“Judy Watters” | Judy’s Irises | Lot #6692
Judy Watters, as she was better known, was an iris
enthusiast, with a collection of irises only to be bested by the Missouri
Botanical Garden. Judy’s full collection can be viewed now on the grounds of
Bellefontaine. Her gift of her collection every year blooms as a remembrance of
Judy’s passion.
Judy's IrisesMap Reference: Stop 20,
Letter ww
Charles E. Miller
Civil War Union Soldier, Member of G.A.R. | Lot #5438
Charles E. Miller was a Union soldier during the Civil War.
His iconography upon his memorial marker clearly identifies his membership in
the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic).
Map Reference: Stop 20,
Letter xx
Corp. Guy Wentworth Selden
US Marine, WWI
Doughboy | Lot #5623
Guy registered for the draft in 1917 and was sent to
war-torn Europe. He died on September 15, 1918, in Saint-Mihiel, Commercy,
Meuse, France. Guy was a Corporal in Company 97, 6th Regiment, of the 2nd
Division of Marines. He made his way to Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum in
June of 1921.
Map Reference: Stop 20,
Letter yy
Frederick H. Kicker
Owner, Pool Hall | Lot #5648
Frederick Kicker owned a Billiard Parlor at 508 North 18th
Street in St. Louis. In 1914, Frederick, along with his wife, sued for custody
of their granddaughter. Anna Roslind Smith, in 1914, 3 years of age, was the
child of Frederick’s daughter, who had been committed to the State Sanatorium
in Farmington. The father, Edward F. Smith, also wanted the child but had not
come forward till seven months after the wife’s commitment.
Map
Reference: Stop 20, Letter zz
Willow
Office
Architecture
The
original Willow Gatehouse was created in the 1880s. Initially, one structure
on the west side of the gate, this structure was removed in 1929 to make way
for the structure you see today. The office was built before the Gatehouse and
serves as the place of business for the Cemetery. The Broadway side of the Cemetery
was the front and service side from 1849 until the 1950s.
Historic Gatehouse
Willow Gatehouse
Thank you for taking the Historic Loop Trail Tour!
Support BCA's Mission
If you enjoyed the tour, please consider making a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery. Your generosity allows us to continue offering free tours to the community.
