Cemetery hidden in St. Matthews parking lot in Louisville, KY

You’ve driven past it 1,000 times and never knew it was there.

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You can find the cemetery at the back of the parking lot across from Shaheen’s department store.

Photo by LOUtoday

If you ever shopped at the Hobby Lobby or Home Depot on Breckenridge Lane, you’ve likely passed a 19th century graveyard and never knew it — because it’s hidden in plain sight.

Located in the parking lot of the Springs Shopping Center (994 Breckenridge Ln.) and enclosed on all four sides by tall, red hedges is the Burks Family Cemetery .

The area used to be a farm in the mid-1800s run by James Burks and his family . Their land stretched from the Breckenridge-Dutchmans area to the Avondale subdivision off of Taylorsville Road.

Today, flowers and other gifts are still laid on the headstones.

Photo by LOUtoday

James, his wife Matilda, and their three sons are all buried in the cemetery + the style of their headstones shows that the family was wealthy.

How to visit:
Look for the blue United States Postal Service mailbox at the back of the parking lot across from Shaheen’s. A small break in the red bushes there reveals a wrought iron gate you can enter through to view the burial site.

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Katie is based in Louisville, KY and has contributed to publications including Louisville Magazine. She loves the local beer scene and also has experience as a professional wrestling manager.
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