Bloomington, Illinois: Wizard Of Oz Dorothy Grave and Statue
Infant Dorothy Gage died of Congestion of the Brain when she was five months old. Her uncle, writer L. Frank Baum, used Dorothy's name in the Wizard of Oz. In 2018 a dead oak tree near the grave was carved into a likeness of the fictional Dorothy.
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Grave is located in section 7 (7b tiers) on the east side of Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Old smaller stone seats behind newer black headstone. See map for cemetery layout. Tip: As you drive in there are two stands on the right that hold maps, one even includes a walking tour.
[Margo D., 06/18/2017]Dorothy of Oz and Other Notable Graves
I was attracted to this lovely cemetery in the middle of Bloomington during a recent vacation trip partly because there were two attractions at the same location: the Wizard of Oz inspiration for Dorothy, and the gravestone with the Longest Epitaph in Granite. When I arrived, however, I discovered that Evergreen Memorial Cemetery is filled with history. Adlai Ewing Stevenson was Vice President of the United States under Grover Cleveland and his grave is in Section 11, Lot 3. Adlai Stevenson II, former Governor of Illinois, two time Democratic Presidential Nominee (1952 and 1956), and U.S. United Nations Ambassador (who famously confronted the Soviets during the Cuban missile crisis), is also in Section 11, Lot 3.
The grave of Dorothy Gage can be found in Section Sub 1, Lot 20. The newer black granite marker can be seen from the roadway, nestled between two small bushes, which help it stand out.
Other notables include a Revolutionary War veteran, David Haggard, in Section G, Lot 684; a Prussian Baroness, Maria Von Buchau Schroeder, in Section B, Lot 13; and Ulysses F. Doubleday, newspaper editor, Civil War Union officer, Congressman, and father of Abner Doubleday, who may have invented baseball, in Old City Section 8, Row 5.
I found these locations because the nice young lady who was working there gave me a booklet on the history of the cemetery. It lists the names, grave site locations, and some history and background of many notable persons interred there.
[Tim Roman, 08/10/2014]Wizard Of Oz Dorothy Grave
In Bloomington, IL's Evergreen Cemetery is buried the namesake of Dorothy (Gale) from "The Wizard Of Oz." The story goes that L. Frank Baum and his wife Maud were so distraught over the death of their 5 month old niece, Dorothy Gage, he named the lead character in the book he was working on after her.
[Doug Dirr, 12/08/2013][Previous 5 items] Page of 2
Wizard Of Oz Dorothy Grave and Statue
Evergreen Memorial Cemetery
- Address:
- 302 E. Miller St., Bloomington, IL
- Directions:
- Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. The grave of Dorothy Gage can be found in Section Sub 1, Lot 20. The newer black granite marker can be seen from the roadway, nestled between two small bushes, which help it stand out. Just to the east of the grave is a tree stump carved into a likeness of the fictional Dorothy.
- Hours:
- Gated after hours. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 309-827-6950
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The original small marble headstone, still there, has been supplemented with a modern granite monument noting the Wizard of Oz story connection (A competing name-origin story claims that newsman Baum read an 1879 Kansas report which described tornado victim Dorothy Gale found stuck head-first in the mud).