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 Jim Bridger Tombstone - Independence, Mo. Posted by:  iconions
N 39° 05.888 W 094° 28.194
15S E 372891 N 4328694
Jim Bridger's gravesite is located on an "island" near the northern entrance to the cemetery - 614 Brookside.
Waymark Code: WMVZFE
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 06/16/2017
Views: 0
This marble headstone is on an "island" where the main road "Y"'s. The headstone itself is tucked behind some cedar trees and bushes. The headstone is rough-hewn with a carving of the famed Mountain Man at the top.
Jim Bridger Tombstone
SCULPTOR: Unknown
SUBJECT: Bridger, James
MEDIUM: Grey granite
TYPE: Sculptures-Gravestone
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
OWNER/LOCATION: Administered by Mount Washington Cemetery 614 Brookside Independence Missouri 64053
Located Mount Washington Cemetery Truman Road Independence Missouri
DATE: Ca. 1904
NOTES: Save Outdoor Sculpture, Missouri, Kansas City survey, 1994.
SUMMARY: Tombstone with bust of James Bridger in relief. Relief is set in a circular recessed area above the text. Bridger is clean-shaven, and wears a hat, coat and cape.
TOPIC: Portrait male--Bust
Occupation--Hunter--Trapper
Occupation--Other--Pioneer
Occupation--Other--Explorer
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS MO000127
- Smithsonian Outdoor Sculptures Website
James Bridger
1804 1881
Celebrated as a hunter, trapper,
fur trader, and guide. Discovered
Great Salt Lake 1824, the South Pass
1827. Visited Yellowstone Lake
and Geysers 1830. Founded Ft. Bridger
1843. Opened Overland Route by
Bridger's Pass to Great Salt Lake.
Was guide for U.S. Exploring
Expeditions, Albert Sidney Johnson's
Army in 1857, and G. M. Dodge in U. P.
Surveys and Indian Campaigns 1856 - 65.
This monument is erected as a
tribute to his pioneer work by
Maj. Gen G. M. Dodge.
- Headstone Text
(picture of Jim Bridger)
James Bridger
"Old Gabe"
Mountain Man
Explorer
Scout
Jim's grave is decorated every Scout Sunday by members of Boy Scout Troop 87 and guests. Everyone is invited to lay a spring of evergreen at the base of his monument in the shape of a wreath. The evergreen sprig symbolizes the tree's importance to outdoors men as a provider of shelter from nature's harsh environments of sun, wind, rain, and snow. It also provides a person with the means to make and maintain a fire of friendship and warmth.
The tradition of honoring Bridger started in 1931 when Chief Scout Executive Dan Baird and others moved Bridger's grave to this resting place of honor. Dan Baird thought it was only appropriate that a Boy Scout troop be part of the ceremony. Troop 101 was asked to be the color guard. In 1951 Troop 87 was invited. The following year, Troop 101 folded. Troop 87 continues to this day honoring Jim. In 1988 the ceremony was canceled when Troop 87's Scoutmaster, Charles "Uncle Charlie" Birgam died on Scout Sunday. Uncle Charlie rests on the top ridge of this same cemetery and is honored the same day.
- Paper Marker Text
TITLE: Jim Bridger Tombstone
ARTIST(S): unknown
DATE: DATE: Ca. 1904
MEDIUM: MEDIUM: Grey granite
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS MO000127
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
gravesite is located on an "island" near the northern entrance to the cemetery - 614 Brookside in Independence, Mo.
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
None noted - headstone shows some discoloration but is in good repair.
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