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Greenwood Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
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Greenwood Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
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Washington Park Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
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Washington Park Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
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Washington Park Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
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Father Dickson Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
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Father Dickson Cemetery. Photograph by Chris Naffziger
Dozens of articles have been written and nightly news segments produced over the last 20 years in St. Louis about the sorry shape of many of the region’s historic African-American cemeteries. Considering that a recent visit to several of the long-suffering members of this club confirmed that little has changed, perhaps it is time for yet another article warning of the continued neglect and decline of what should be some of our most cherished and visited historic sites.
All of these cemeteries have dedicated volunteers who have worked tirelessly to maintain and restore these burial grounds. This article is not an indictment of those individuals, but rather a call to action to help those who have taken on the often thankless job of fixing problems decades in the making.
Greenwood Cemetery, Hillsdale
Founded in 1874 by Herman Krueger, at time when the site was way out in the country, Greenwood followed the rural cemetery movement of providing a rustic, unadulterated environment with forested terrain replete with rolling hills. The fear of burials spreading cholera also pushed cemeteries to the outskirts of heavily populated areas. At the time of its founding, Greenwood was the first non-denominational commercial cemetery that allowed African-American burials.
Several famous figures from St. Louis’ African-American history are buried in Greenwood. Perhaps the best known is Harriett Scott, the wife of Dred Scott. Also buried is Lee Shelton, of “Stagger Lee” fame; Walter Davis, the famous blues musician; and civil rights leader Charlton Tandy. Unfortunately, the cemetery relied on continued burials, not an endowment, to maintain the grounds, and when potential business died out, Greenwood went out of business. The Friends of Greenwood Cemetery now work to maintain the property, tucked back on a quiet section of St. Louis Avenue off of Lucas & Hunt Road.
Washington Park Cemetery, Berkeley
Located in the noisy flight path of Lambert International Airport, Washington Park Cemetery is perhaps the best-known local African-American cemetery. Founded by Andrew H. Watson in 1920, the burial ground off of Natural Bridge Road quickly became one of the most popular African-American cemeteries in the region. Like other cemeteries, Washington Park did not provide for perpetual care funds, instead relying on continued burial revenue.
Further disaster struck as it was slowly swallowed by suburbia and the rapidly expanding airport. First I-70 cut through the property, forcing the removal of many burials. Then in the early 1990s, Metrolink construction to the airport sealed the fate of the cemetery left north of I-70. Even worse, exhumation of burials revealed that the cemetery had not properly maintained its records over the decades. Then, a well-meaning new owner found himself cited by the City of Berkeley for overgrowth several years ago. A recent visit discovered freshly dumped tires; one must wonder, with so many other places to dump illegally in the region, why a cemetery had to be the unlucky recipient.
Father Dickson Cemetery, Crestwood
Finally, the story of Father Dickson Cemetery offers hope for its more beleaguered colleagues across the region. Founded in 1903 by an African-American nonprofit, the International Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor, the cemetery served the population of Meacham Park. The grounds were named after the famous abolitionist Moses Dickson, who is buried along with other notables, such as educator John Vashon, the namesake of the St. Louis high school. Newspaper articles reveal that the cemetery had begun to fall on hard times, suffering much of the same neglect that still affects other African-American burial grounds in St. Louis County.
But luckily, concerned individuals banded together, the weeds cut down and the cemetery restored. A recent visit showed recent tree plantings and mulching. Located just across Grant’s Trail from the Sappington House, Father Dickson Cemetery is easily visited by those interested in local history. Perhaps sometime soon, the community can muster the same level of commitment to come to the aid of the other cemeteries so desperately in need of help in our region.
Chris Naffziger writes about architecture at St. Louis Patina. Contact him via e-mail at naffziger@gmail.com.
