The Colonel and The Greatest

Before heading to Louisville to help some friends with house and pet sitting, we had some important research to do. Imminently practical, Stephen spent his time looking into restaurant and brewery recommendations. I, being more whimsical, needed to know what is weird and what is haunted around town. Though we haven’t made it to all the places on this haunted road trip, you can join us for a walk through Cave Hill Cemetery to visit the Colonel and The Greatest.

About Cave Hill Cemetery

A lake surrounded by trees and greenery — The beauty of Cave Hill

The vision for Cave Hill began almost 200 years ago, during the “Parks Movement“. The idea behind this movement was to two-fold:

Give people a place to remember their loved ones
Give people a beautiful, green space to spend their time.

Back in the early 1800’s, there were no public parks or art museums. Thanks to these new parks, picnicking at the cemetery became a fashionable thing to do.

Sepia tone picture with a group of people in old fashioned clothes, picnicking in a cemetery — Picnickers at the Cemetery

The Famous Kentuckians

Colonel Harland Sanders

Granite façade with 4 columns. In the middle is the bust of Col. Sanders on a pillar. In front of the bust is the tomb stone for Col. Sanders and his wife Claudia. — The Colonel

Though none of this is listed on the grave stone he shares with his wife, Claudia, here are some fun facts about the Colonel:

His first restaurant operated inside a gas station
He adopted the white suit because it hid flour the best
He once was in a gun fight with a business rival

Muhammad Ali

Black granite tomb stone that reads ALI and Service to Others is the rent you pay for your room in heaven. — Amazing quote from the Greatest

Ali’s grave stone really shows his character and how people felt about him. I’m pretty sure that a recipe about me would likely include a dash of sarcasm and two cups of quirkiness.

Here are some interesting things about Muhammad Ali:

He learned to box because someone stole his bicycle
His high school principal allowed Ali to graduate because he didn’t want to be the guy that flunked Cassius Clay
He once famously said, “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.”

Harry Collins

Granite carving of a magician, extending his hand to an audience - like taking a bow. — The magician

Harry Collins was the official magician for Frito-Lay from 1970 until his death in 1985 and was known as “Mr. Magic”. And he still welcomes you as part of the audience! I had no idea that companies hire corporate magicians.

Hauntingly Beautiful

So many graves here allow you feel the grief at the loss and the joy of the life of Cave Hill’s residents.

Granite statue of a dog sitting by a bench, waiting for his owner — I think he’s waiting for his owner

Granite statues of Jesus on his knees with his arms held wide and a smile on his face with little children running to him. — I think he’s waiting for his owner

Statue of a little girl on a pedestal with her arms held up, like she's asking her dad to lift her — Arms held wide

But What About ACTUALLY Haunted?

Cave Hill Cemetery is so beautiful and poignant during the day that it’s hard to imagine any sort of haunting here. Sort of. Here are a few images you might feel a bit more “spook-tacular”.

Black and white photo of an angel sculpture in a cemetery. — Cemetery Angel

Granite torii with an urn in the middle — Cemetery Angel

The cemetery closes every day at 4:45pm. So let’s try to set the mood. Imagine being there after dark with nothing to light your way, except the green and white orbs you see floating below the trees. And no sounds other than the crickets chirping in the grass, the whispering of people long dead and the scraping of tomb stone lids against the crypts.

My Overall Opinion

Woman in a blue dress, standing on a wooden bridge — One happy lady

I was one happy taphophile (tombstone tourist) and I can’t wait to go back again. I wonder if they offer a “cemetery after dark tour”?!?!

That’s a Wrap

Thanks for joining us on this haunted jaunt through Cave Hill. If you enjoy our stories, consider subscribing for free or follow us in real time on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle. Happy October everyone. Stay spooky!

About Cave Hill Cemetery