Lorimier Cemetery, Cape Girardeau Travel Guide

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Explore Cape Girardeau's history at Lorimier Cemetery, the city's original public burial ground established in 1808. A journey into the past.

Established in 1808, Lorimier Cemetery is the final resting place for Cape Girardeau's founder, Louis Lorimier, and many of the city's early settlers. Overlooking the Mississippi River, this historic cemetery offers a glimpse into the lives and times of those who shaped the region.

A brief summary to Lorimier Cemetery

500 N Fountain St, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 63701, US
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Monday 8 am-3 pm
Tuesday 8 am-3 pm
Wednesday 8 am-3 pm
Thursday 8 am-3 pm
Friday 8 am-3 pm
Saturday 8 am-3 pm
Sunday 8 am-3 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Lorimier Cemetery.

Call ahead to schedule an appointment, as the cemetery is not always open to the public.
Enter through the south gate on the Missouri Park side, as the Fountain Street gate is typically locked.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground.

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Explore Lorimier Cemetery on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Lorimier Cemetery, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From downtown Cape Girardeau, the cemetery is a 10-15 minute walk. Head north on Main Street, then turn left onto Mill Street. Continue onto N Fountain Street. The cemetery will be on your right. Enter through the south gate on the Missouri Park side.
Driving

From I-55, take exit 95 for Cape Girardeau. Follow William Street into downtown. Turn left onto Spanish Street, then right onto Park Drive. Turn right onto N Fountain Street. The cemetery will be on your left. Limited street parking is available. Note that the gate on Fountain Street is typically locked, so enter through the south gate on the Missouri Park side. Parking is free.

Discover more about Lorimier Cemetery

Lorimier Cemetery, established in 1808 by Louis Lorimier, stands as Cape Girardeau's first public cemetery. The land, atop a hill, was set aside after the death of Lorimier's wife, Charlotte. Overlooking the Mississippi River at 500 N Fountain St, the cemetery is the final resting place for many of the city's early settlers and leaders.The cemetery is divided into sections based on religious affiliation and race, with Catholics buried on the south, Protestants on the north, and African Americans on the eastern slope. It's believed that over 6,500 burials exist within the grounds, though many are unmarked. Around 1,446 gravestones mark burials, with some having been vandalized over the years.Notably, it's believed that approximately 1,200 soldiers from the Civil War are buried here, many in unmarked graves. The cemetery also holds those who perished during epidemics of cholera, smallpox, influenza and yellow fever. The site is filled with trees indigenous to the area, including an osage orange and a sugarberry, believed to be some of the oldest of their kind in Missouri. The pagoda covering the burial location of Louis and Charlotte Lorimier was erected in 1917 and refurbished in 2015.Today, the cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is open by appointment only.