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A Place of Peaceful Reflection

Laurel Hill ​Memo​rial Gardens

Over 70 Acres of Rolling Hills  ~  Established 1921

 

History of Laurel Hill

At the turn of the last century, the property was known as Maxwellton Park and owned by Joseph Maxwell.   In 1911, it was purchased by a group of civic leaders who planned to develop the area into a local club. The original home was converted into a clubhouse and a concrete grandstand was built on the west side around a one-mile racetrack ... with a lake at its center.  


In 1921, a local physician purchased the property, and over the next few years, carefully developed his "lawn park cemetery" into a serene park-like setting with statues and special features surrounded by beautiful gardens. The eastern half of the property was the first to be developed, as the western portion was purchased at a later date.


During the depression, a landscape artist was hired to help design individual gardens throughout the cemetery.  One of his first projects included several terraced gardens situated above a small lake, which sat at the foot of a hill. These plans included an arched footbridge, framed by magnolia trees, to provide visitors easy access to both sides of the lake.  

Early projects also included several other areas named for their focal points.  For instance, the statue of Jesus kneeling in prayer marks the Garden of Gethsemane - named for the garden where Jesus prayed that last night with his apostles.


A firm specializing in cemetery design was commissioned to design more plans for the new cemetery - including the stone entrance and massive iron gates found at Saint Charles Rock Road.  They also managed to incorporate the large lake on the west side, and the racetrack surrounding it, into their overall plans for the cemetery.  Unfortunately, those plans never came to fruition.


In 1925, the construction of Pennsylvania Avenue divided the property and resulted in the west lake being drained and filled.  Finally, the last remaining remnant of the old racetrack, a huge concrete grandstand, was demolished and removed in 1958.  That portion of the property, which remained undeveloped, was eventually sold and used for other purposes.

Today

At the new entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue, the American flag stands tall and proud as a silent memorial to local veterans.  At its base, a dedication  "to those who served" looks out over a field of small bronze plaques lining the lawn to commemorate more than 200 soldiers.

 

On Memorial Day, these plaques are decorated with miniature flags to honor those soldiers and all the veterans buried at our cemetery.

To further recognize the contributions of our military families, Laurel Hill is a proud sponsor of H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, an affiliation of national charities working together to provide care and assistance to veterans, active military personnel and their families within the community.

Honoring the Past

Situated on a small grassy knoll at the highest point of the cemetery, you will find a granite obelisk overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue and the garden below. 


This tranquil scene was chosen for its commanding view to mark the final resting place of the founder and visionary of Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens. Within this small private garden, he and his family are laid to rest.


Directly below, the Garden of Resurrection features a grotto fixed into the side of the hill depicting the first Easter morning with the resurrection of Jesus. Life size statues of Roman soldiers stare in amazement at the open tomb while an angel proclaims the good news.

New Additions

More recent developments include a second mausoleum located near the Pennsylvania entrance - and two columbarium walls with  niches for cremation committals.  Granite benches can also be found nearby to offer a quite spot for reflection in the Meditation Garden.

Our Services

We provide services to assist families who have recently suffered a loss ... as well as those who are interested in planning future arrangements.  These services are designed to meet a variety of needs. We offer traditional graveside services with tent and chairs, cremation burials, granite mausoleums for above ground interments and a columbarium wall with individual niches for urns or cremains.  We also offer a wide range of bronze and granite memorials, ranging from the traditional and simple to customized and ornate.  

 

Contact Information

LAUREL HILL MEMORIAL GARDENS

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue

Saint Louis, Missouri  63313

Phone:  (314) 725-7800

Email:  Laurel.Hill.StL@gmail.com

Office Hours

Monday to Friday   9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday                10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Closed on Sundays and Major Holidays

Visiting Hours

The cemetery is open to visitors from dawn to dusk.

Miscellaneous 

  • Preneed Arrangements
  • Floral Decorations
  • Memorial Day Service
  • Holiday Decorations

Directio​ns

The cemetery is located at the intersection of St. Charles Rock Road and Pennsylvania Avenue.  The office and main entrance are just off Pennsylvania Avenue ... across the street from a local fire station.

Find Out More

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