This handy guide locates the final resting places and tells the stories
of more than 375 notable Minnesotans. Author Stew Thornley traveled
throughout Minnesota in pursuit of the historical fact, the little-known
tale, the striking monument, and the truth behind the colorful
exaggeration. Visiting cemeteries from every era and every region of the
state, Thornley recounts the histories of the famous, infamous, and just
plain interesting Minnesotans who lie at rest in the state.
As Thornley notes in his introduction,
"Cemetery surfing has become an increasingly popular hobby in the past
decade. People making treks include genealogists tracing their roots,
artists and writers admiring the monuments and epitaphs, travelers
looking to get off the beaten path, and people such as myself, who enjoy
tracking down the final resting spots of the famous and infamous.
Visitors respond in different ways to what they encounter, taking
pictures, making rubbings, leaving offerings. . . . While some may find
a hobby of visiting graves to be morose or even macabre, I find nothing
morbid in seeking out history through cemeteries. There's much to be
learned from our past, and one of the liveliest ways to do it is through
our dead."
The book contains a useful appendix with a county-by-county listing of
the cemeteries and individuals mentioned within. Perfect for road
trippers and armchair travelers alike, Six Feet Under is an enlightening
guide to the state's history.
