6571 St. Louis Avenue

Greenwood Cemetery was established on January 19, 1874, by Herman Krueger as a final resting place for Black farm workers from the Hillsdale area. One of the oldest African American cemeteries in the St. Louis region, it served as a vital space for dignity and remembrance at a time when segregation excluded Black families from most burial grounds.

The cemetery remained in the Krueger family until the mid-1970s, after which it changed ownership three times. Despite periods of neglect and disrepair, the cemetery holds deep historical significance. The oldest graves, located at the far north end, date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many are marked with distinctive concrete planters made by Greenwood workers in the 1920s—an enduring symbol of community craftsmanship and pride.

Over the years, Greenwood fell into overgrowth and disuse, but thanks to the tireless dedication of Mr. Raphael and Mrs. Shelly Morris and a growing community of volunteers, it has come a long way. Through their stewardship, restoration efforts have brought the cemetery back to life—clearing brush, repairing markers, uncovering lost graves, and honoring those laid to rest here with the dignity they deserve.

Today, Greenwood Cemetery stands not only as a burial ground, but as a place of heritage, memory, and ongoing commitment to preserving African American history in St. Louis.