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February 18, 2008
Feature Photo: Society Tomb in St. Louis Three
Tomb of the Societe D'Assistance Mutuelle, La France. The society was founded in 1894 and the tomb constructed in 1902. The turn of the century was a very busy period of expansion for St. Louis #3, which is located on Esplanade Avenue near Bayou St. John.
Tombs were expensive propositions for many families in the city, so families would form organizations to pool their money, build, and maintain a tomb. Most of these "burial societies" formed along ethnic or neighborhood lines.
This tomb is built on two adjoining plots. It is different from other society tombs in that its vaults are two by four, when usually these tombs are four by three. the marble coverings of the vaults are missing, revealing its brick construction. The vase in front of the bottom right vault has the name "Downey" engraved on it.
Posted by Mysticknyght at February 18, 2008 9:01 PM