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Grave Matters: Red Gate Farm, St. Charles, Illinois
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Photos by Liz Martiniak ©Liz Martiniak 2002; all rights reserved. |
| Top: Greyhound. Bottom: Volo Song. |
RED GATE FARM near St. Charles, Illinois, was the farm of Colonel Edward J. Baker, owner of the original "Grey Ghost," the mighty Greyhound. Nestled off the road leading into St. Charles, the main entrance is set off by a beautiful red gate. White barns trimmed with dark red and ancient trees made it an idyllic haven for the Colonel's beloved champion. Greyhound, holder of the mile trotting record of 1:55 1/4 from 1938 to 1969, lived here in retirement until his death at the age of 33 in 1965.
The cemetery is dominated by a monument in red marble and bronze of an angel on horseback which is dedicated to the horse. The markers of the equine occupants are flat bronze tablets adorned with the facial likeness of each horse. There are tablets for GREYHOUND; VOLO SONG, euthanized after breaking a leg in an exhibition race at the track in Elkhorn, Wisconsin only a week after taking his speed record of 1:57 3/4; LABRADOR and WINNIPEG. Col. Baker also buried several of his dogs in the cemetery, and like the horses, each has a bronze tablet with their name and facial likeness etched upon it. -- L.M. |
| RED GATE FARM BURIALS
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| Standardbreds |
Greyhound (g. 1932-1965)
Labrador
Volo Song
Winnipeg |
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