Masoleum near Valmeyer, IL

[memory_machine]

As I was driving back from the quarry in Valmeyer yesterday, I noticed something that looked worth checking out on top of the bluffs. There is a small cemetary with a very large mosoleum laying vacant and empty. It is apparently a partying spot for teenagers, now, as I saw two different groups carrying around certain intoxicating beverages. It was a bitch of a walk up the huge hill, but it was a neat spot. So I guess it was worth it.

[Hiccup]

thats cool, man. i really like that picture of the outside from the inside (the 5th pic). i really hate that thats been vandalized, but its inevitable i suppose.

[Chris]

Hey man, I'm thrilled that you made it up there! I've seen it and even drove past the cemetary on top of the hill once, but never bothered to enter the grounds. The veiw must have been fantastic.

I'm curious as to why it's in the state it's in today. Why fill the windows with concrete block and leave the doorway open? And why did they take the bodies out? I'm assuming the vandalism happened afterwards, of course.

[memory_machine]

The way it was built, I don't know if those ever were windows. I see what you're saying, though. I'll have to try and find more information about the place. I also wonder where the bodies are. Maybe moved to graves in the same cemetary. I did see a grave right behind the masoleum that shared the same name, so who knows.

Yeah, I see a huge masoleum on top of a hill, I can't pass it up!

[Cowracer]

Nice pics.

Irrelavent observation:

White suburban kids' graffitti is SOOOO lame.

Tim

[Vega]

awesome pics. I've never seen an empty one before, I'll have to check it out sometime.

[ropingk]

I agre I dont think thoese were ever real windows probaly for some kind of decration--I have never seen a empty one and do not want to go to one that is in use

[caver]

White suburban kids' graffitti is SOOOO lame.

Well,,,,,, the country boys graffiti isn't much better. We removed graffiti in a large rural cave that only locals know about. Born on a mountain, raised in a cave, Busch and puss is all I crave.
Yeah, a real word-smith there.

[BROUSER]

I'm curious as to why it's in the state it's in today. Why fill the windows with concrete block and leave the doorway open? And why did they take the bodies out? I'm assuming the vandalism happened afterwards, of course.

I'm betting they weren't windows, too. Judging from the architecture, I would say there were recessed statues in those spaces. Still, given the condition, I'm wondering if the tomb was still in use when the blocks were put in. I can't think of any other reason.

[memory_machine]

The reason I'm pretty sure they weren't windows is because, as you can see from the interior pics, the "shelves" for the coffins extend all the way to almost the doorway on the inside. There is no way there would have been a window there. I agree the graffiti is stupid. If you're gonna deface something, at least show how clever you are!

[Chris]

Judging from the architecture, I would say there were recessed statues in those spaces.

Good call, I bet you're right!

[White Rabbit]

That is awesome! I totally want to see that sometime.

[Willard]

This post is sooo daja vu... I sware I saw it posted somewhere else on this site several months ago... exact same pictures with several of the same follow up posts.

[memory_machine]

Well, I promise you they're not the same pictures. I huffed my out of shape ass up that huge hill to get those pics!

[inubis22]

Tunajive and I saw that in the way home from the mine and were wondering what it was; ubt now we know. Thanks