Missouri’s Oldest Cemetery Is Older Than the U.S. Presidency

I can't think of a better example of Missouri's rich history than this fact. The oldest cemetery in the state was established even before George Washington was the nation's president.

There is no cemetery in the state of Missouri older than this one

If you look closely, you'll see the date 1787 on the sign for the Memorial Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The National Park Service has some interesting backstory about when this cemetery was established and who was laid to rest there. They say that early wealthy residents Jean Baptiste Valle, Francois Janis, Vital Bauvais, Felicite Bauvais, Michel Amoureux and Perrine Amoureux were buried there. The first resident laid to rest in this Ste. Genevieve cemetery was in 1793 and burials were forbidden after 1881 due to overcrowding and numerous unmarked graves. The National Park Service says there are "an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 unmarked burials on the cemetery grounds".

For the sake of perspective, this Missouri cemetery was established in 1787 which was a full two years before George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States. Say what you want about Missouri, but this is another example that the state does not lack compelling history.

It may sound morbid, but I find peace walking around cemeteries like this one. Seeing the birth and death dates especially from early settlers like these in Ste. Genevieve makes you wonder what kind of lives they lived and how did they end. It's a reminder to look at your own life and keep the perspective that it will one day end and you need to make it count for as much good as possible while you can.