Mount Mora Cemetery - St. Joseph, Missouri
Mount Mora Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.
“ Mount Mora Cemetery
On April 1, 1846, Simeon Kemper obtained a United States government patent for one hundred sixty acres at $1.25 per acre. Four years later, Kemper took two partners, Israel Landis and Reuben Middleton, who paid him almost $200 per acre for their share of 20 acres destined to become a cemetery. On February 22, 1851, the men received approval of the Articles of Incorporation for Mount Mora Cemetery; four days later, they placed this advertisement in the St. Joseph Weekly Gazette:
“To the Public-the undersigned having purchased a lot of ground on the North West Corner of Mr. S. Kemper’s farm within one mile of the Court house, propose fitting it up as a cemetry provided sufficient encouragement is given to the undertaking by the citizens of St. Joseph. It is our intention to lay it off in Blocks and Lots of all sizes, so as to suit purchasers. The ground will be enclosed in a short time with a good substantial board fence, and otherwise improved.”
In 1873, W. Angelo Powell laid out Mount Mora Cemetery for 5,000. Powell, a prominent architect of the time, used the Rural Garden Cemetery design for Mount Mora. This form, new to the United States in 1831, is replicated in the cemetery’s planned landscaping, magnificent mausoleums, aesthetic design of Mausoleum Row, and curvilinear roads following the natural contours of the land.
Giants of St. Joseph commerce and industry, three Missouri governors, veterans of multiple wars, Pony Express riders, an English baronet, and individuals who strongly influenced the Westward Movement of the United States of America are among the thousands buried here.
Erected August 2004.”
The Missouri Swamp Fox:
More info:
St. Joseph, Missouri: Western expansion and pioneeers
Native Americans considered St. Joseph sacred ground. Joseph Robidoux settled the area in the 1800's. Lewis & Clark camped here too, in 1804 & 1806. Settlers traveled to St. Joseph for commerce & trade for trips on both Oregon and California trails.
Pony Express Museum Slideshow
Photos from my adventure to the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri.
There was a historic sign at a park across the street from the museum that talked about the history of the city. Here is what it said...
“
St. Joseph
Renowned city of the Pony Express, St. Joseph was first settled as a trading post for the American Fur Co. by Joseph Robidoux, 1826. Later he acquired the site and laid out a town named for his patron saint, 1843.
St. Joseph became an outfitting point for settlers in northwest Missouri and travelers on the Oregon-California trail. It was also a supply base for army posts and western gold mining camps. Here was the terminus of the first railroad to cross the Missouri, the Hannibal and St. Joseph, 1859. The railway postal car, developed by W. A. Davis of St. Joseph, was first used on the line, 1862.
April 3rd, 1860, the Pony Express was put in operation between here and Sacramento, Calif., by the freighting firm of Russell, Majors, and Waddell. Operated as a relay, it met the need for speedy mail service to the West and popularized the central-overland route. About 1,982 miles were covered regularly in 10 days, and 190 relay stations, 120 horses, and 80 riders were used. The record run was 7 days, 17 hours. The Pony Express was discontinued in October 1861. The telegraph then reached the coast. “
Continued from the other side of sign...
“
St. Joseph, industrial center of northwest Missouri, lies in the glacial plains region of the Missouri Valley, in a richly fertile area of grain, fruit, and livestock farming. Early impressed with the beauty of the site were geographer Maximilian, Prince of Wied, 1833; missionary priest Father De Smet, 1838; and ornithologist Audubon, 1843. The city is now noted for its food processing plants, grain and livestock markets, transportation facilities, and varied factories. Two bridges cross the Missouri River here.
The city lies on land acquired from the Iowa, Sauk, and Fox Indians by the Platte Purchase, 1836. Since 1846 it has been the seat of Buchanan Co., one of 6 formed out of the Purchase, organized 1838, named for James Buchanan, U.S. President, 1857-61.
Among points of interest are St. Joseph Museum; Patee House; Pony Express Stables; house where Jesse James was killed; locale of Eugene Field’s courtship poem “Lovers Lane, St. Jo”; Beauvals House; Krug Park; and 20 miles southwest, Lewis and Clark State Park. Here lived Mo. Govs. R. M. Stewart 1857-61; W. P. Hall, 1864-65; Silas Woodson, 1873-75.
Erected by State Historical Society of Missouri
and State Highway Commission 1953. “
Pony Express History:
St. Joseph, Missouri History:
Mardi Gras, St Joseph, MO
Krewe of Robidoux celebrating Mardi Gras in St. Joseph Missouri since 2001. Some pictures from the first Mardi Gras parade in 2001 to 2009. Photos from the krewe of Barkus parade 2009. set to Maman Rosin Boudreaux, by BeauSoleil.