In July of 2021 I traveled from New Ulm, MN to Des Moines, IA, along the way I visited two cemeteries while traveling through Fort Dodge.
The first was North Lawn Cemetery, a large, gently sloping expanse with over 11,000 markers dating back to 1836. Most of the markers are fairly modest. One of the larger ones is for a man named Karl L. King.
King was a composer of band music and was known mostly for his marching or military band pieces, although he wrote in many different styles. He composed his most famous work, Barnum & Bailey’s Favorite while playing in Barnum’s circus band.
King is buried next to his wife, Ruth, near the main entrance. I left him a 35ยข tip, which would have been equal to around two bucks back when he was writing for the circus.
The second was Oakland Cemetery, which is one of the most beautiful spaces I’ve ever seen. The newest section is flat and featureless, but the older section is extremely hilly, I would even say challenging in its topography. There are close to 8,000 people buried there, with the oldest grave dating to 1840.
The markers range from ostentatious to humble, from 30+ foot obelisks to simple cement markers with the deceased’s name hand written before the stone hardened. It was so interesting to see the difference between the graves of the rich, and those of the poor.
My favorite “famous” grave was that of Lili Damita (1904-1994) who was at one time married to Erroll Flynn. You see her glamorous Hollywood photo on her Find A Grave page, but on her marker the photo is that of just someone’s grandma. Sadly, I didn’t take a picture of it.
I would love to visit Oakland Cemetery again. There is so much to see there.
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