Marine Villa in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Elusive Cemetery
Cherokee-Lemp Historic District
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2018
The Map of St. Louis, published in 1867 by Theodore Schrader, described the land as "Baptist Cemetery." The only other area landmarks shown on the map are the U.S. Arsenal at the Mississippi River and Arsenal Street and the Marine Hospital on Marine Street east of Broadway.
A St. Louis Genealogical Society Publication documents burials as early as 1848 in the Baptist Cemetery.
The 1859 St. Louis Directory lists "Baptist Cemetery, Lemp avenue, between Cherokee and Utah," as the first of 16 cemeteries listed in alphabetical order. The list includes other nearby cemeteries long ago abandoned or removed -- the City Cemetery, which was transformed into Benton Park following the Civil War; German Evangelical Cemetery, on the grounds of Shepard School just south of Cherokee; and Old Picker, the current site of Roosevelt High School on Gravois.
Pictorial St. Louis, drawn in 1875, however, shows no indication of a cemetery in the area previously designated Baptist Cemetery. Instead, over a dozen buildings appear scattered across the former cemetery grounds.
What happened to the Baptist Cemetery between 1867 and 1875? How many people were buried in the Baptist Cemetery? And where are the bodies that were buried in this cemetery? The answers to these questions all remain mysteries.
Erected 1999 by NiNi Harris. (Marker Number K.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, St. Louis, The Cherokee-Lemp History Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 38° 35.564′ N, 90° 13.193′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Marine Villa. Marker is at the intersection of Cherokee Street and Selena Street, on the right when traveling east on Cherokee Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1937 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis MO 63118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Settlers' Homes (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); The Simon Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); 1905 - 09 Cherokee (within shouting distance of this marker); 1959 Cherokee (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1901 Cherokee (about 300 feet away); The Corner Store
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 538 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on October 15, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.