There are many things in Kentucky that may leave you scratching your head or even a bit creeped out. Haunted hotels, spooky graveyards, and downright terrifying tales can be experienced all over our state, but there is one place in the small town of Mayfield that will definitely have you a little weirded out and possibly even confused. The Wooldridge Monuments, or “The Strange Procession, Which Never Moves,” is a unique gravesite in Kentucky and this peculiar monument will surely haunt your dreams.
Have you ever had a crazy idea and wondered what people would think of it hundreds of years from now? Well, chances are Henry Wooldridge did not think of this - or maybe he did - when he decided to commission a series of monuments in a cemetery in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Wikimedia/C. Bedford Crenshaw
Colonel Wooldridge was known as an eccentric man in his time and that’s not difficult to imagine, given his unique gravesite. While he was still alive, Wooldridge hired artists to create this statuary to honor family members, pets, his life, and, of course, himself. The statues were built in the 1890s and brought attention to the town and cemetery, even before Wooldridge had died.
Photo Courtesy of Brandon Bartoszek
The 18 life-sized human and animal characters are said to be representations of family members and beloved pets from Colonel Wooldridge’s life. Perhaps he thought that these monuments would mean that they would all meet again after passing, or maybe he just wanted to show off a bit. It’s said that the monuments cost several thousand dollars to build, which was a very large sum back then.
Facebook/Graves County Economic Development
All of the statues face east, as do most of the other monuments in the cemetery. But, this is the only 17’ x 33’ plot of land that has this many statues crammed into a small space. While they honor all of the people and animals from Wooldridge’s life, he is the only one actually buried here.
Photo Courtesy of Brandon Bartoszek
Most of the statues within the monument are made of traditional limestone, with the exception of a 6-foot-tall statue of Wooldridge himself, which was carved from marble in Italy. Within the cemetery plot, you’ll see his mother, three sisters, two nieces, and four brothers. His father is not depicted, and some say it’s because he left his mother when Henry was young. Also with the group is the Colonel’s horse Fop, as well as a fox and a deer being chased by his two hounds, Towhead and Bob.
Photo Courtesy of Brandon Bartoszek
It’s pretty incredible that this “procession that never moves” has lasted all these years, especially because it was nearly destroyed in 2009. An ice storm caused a tree to fall on the monuments, knocking off heads and toppling them over. Thankfully, there was federal money given to the town for the storm, so the most popular “attraction” in Mayfield was repaired and restored.
Photo Courtesy of Bob Bell
The procession now stands stone-cold, surrounded by an iron fence with a sidewalk on all sides. It’s definitely an interesting sight to see, and pretty creepy if you look at it long enough.
Photo Courtesy of Bob Bell
Cemeteries all come with their own chilling stories, and Maplewood Cemetery is no different. This haunting monument is a fascinating piece of history in Kentucky and one that may just leave you with a goosebump or two.
Photo Courtesy of Bob Bell
The Wooldridge Monuments are filled with mystery and confusion and are definitely a haunting sight to witness in Kentucky. Have you seen these strange monuments in person? Did they creep you out? Let us know in the comments!
Wikimedia/C. Bedford Crenshaw
Photo Courtesy of Brandon Bartoszek
Facebook/Graves County Economic Development
Photo Courtesy of Bob Bell
The Wooldridge Monuments are located within the Maplewood Cemetery at 408 N 6th St., Mayfield, KY 42066.
And for more creepy places to visit throughout Kentucky, check out our previous article here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
