I spend a lot of time wandering around the cemeteries of Santa Rosa. And once, a few years back while exploring the Rural Cemetery, I came upon the grave of Robert Ripley. A native of Santa Rosa, California, he created the iconic “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” brand that spanned newspapers, museums, radio, and even television. His grave site is a great destination for an outing.
Note that Ripley is not actually in the Rural Cemetery. He’s in the southern part of Odd Fellows Cemetery, which is adjacent to it.
Finding Ripley’s grave was like uncovering a hidden gem in our town’s rich history. Even though I was born here, I had no idea that Ripley had any relation to Santa Rosa — much less that he was born here.
Most people recognize the “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” slogan. But his fame was enormous — rivaling that of presidents. He made curious and unusual facts accessible to tens of millions of people. And the brand long out-lived him. In fact, you can still visit his museum in San Francisco.
But at this point, many people think of him as more of a PT Barnum type. But he was in many ways the opposite — given his commitment to accuracy in his features.
Robert Ripley’s Early History
Ripley had an older sister, Ethel, who as of 1932 was living in Sacramento. He also had a younger brother, Douglas, who worked his adult life as part of Believe It or Not Ripley Enterprises. They all grew up on Orchard Street, a couple of blocks east of Santa Rosa High and the JC.
At base, Ripley was an illustrator. He was first published as a teen in The Porcupine — a monthly publication of Santa Rosa High School (it was also the name of the yearbook).
After school, he first pursued employment as a baseball player. He seems to have been good at it — playing with future MLB players Ping Bodie, Ossie Vitt, Harry Krause, and Walter Schmidt. But that all ended when he broke his arm during a game.
During his time with the team, he created posters to advertise the games. This soon led to his taking a job at The San Francisco Bulletin under legendary editor Fremont Older, taking a 33% pay cut from his baseball salary. From there, he moved to The San Francisco Chronicle before leaving for New York where he ultimately settled at the Associated Newspaper Syndicate.
Ripley was born in 1890 but it isn’t clear exactly when. His own claims vary in his many documents from his foreign travels. But he was roughly 59 years old when he died of a heart attack in New York on May 27, 1949. The Press Democrat published the following article about the return of his body to his hometown:
Robert Ripley comes home today to rest — home at Santa Rosa which he left so many years ago.
It is fitting that classmates who knew him as a boy will form an honor guard to escort his body here from Oakland.
Robert Ripley achieved great success between the time he left Santa Rosa as a shy, retiring youth with an urge to draw, and today, when he returns here to his final resting place.
He made his name a household word to millions of people in his and other lands.
Though he traveled throughout the world and was a close associate of many famous men, he remained at heart, the same unaffected Bob Ripley who preferred to draw pictures rather than write essays in the late Miss Frances O’Meara’s class at Santa Rosa High School.
He held a deep and lasting affection for the place he was born. And now, as he wished, he comes back to be buried here beside his mother and father in Odd Fellows’ Cemetery.
Santa Rosa today pays homage to a native son who reached heights of fame known to few in the years between his departure and his final return.
Visiting Ripley’s Gravesite
Visiting his final resting place in the Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery gives you a sense of connection to a man who turned his curiosity into a global sensation. It’s a peaceful spot in the oldest area of the cemetery.
If you’re planning a visit, take care of the weather. The gravel path to the grave site is not well maintained. At the same time, the sun beats down harshly during the summer and there is not a lot of shade in the area. There is, however, a tree just across from the grave where you could have a picnic.
Finding the grave can be a bit of an adventure. It is easiest to go to Santa Rosa Memorial Park and ask at the office. They can give you a map and point you in the right direction. But you should be able to find it on your own.
From Coddingtown, take Steele Lane east past Mendocino Avenue. You are then on Lewis Road, but you probably won’t notice it. Turn right on Franklin Avenue. Head south past Santa Rosa Memorial Park and turn left on to Poppy Drive.
At this point, you are on the cemetery grounds and the roads have no names. Take the first right after about 500 feet and then the first right again after about 300 feet. Your destination is on your left.
You may want to park before the final right. The road is very narrow and you will have to back out.
There are a couple of ways to find Ripley’s grave.
- Head toward the large palm tree on the left side of the road. It is at the center of this part of the cemetery. Walk down the path that leads toward Franklin Avenue. Take the first path to the right. The Ripley family grave will be on the left.
- Continue down the road that you parked on. At the end of it, there is a fork. Follow the left fork. The grave will be on your left.
Visit the Rural Cemetery
While you’re there, take the time to explore other parts of the cemetery. Just to the south of the Odd Fellows is the Rural Cemetery, which is older and filled with fascinating local history.
You might want to pick up a copy of the 500-page Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery 1854-2020: Burial Listing and Genealogical Information by Sandra Wright Frary and Raymond L Owen. You can pick up a copy for $20 at the Finley Community Center (2060 W College Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401).
So next time you’re looking for something to do in Santa Rosa, consider a visit to the grave of Robert Ripley. It’s a journey through the life of a local legend who inspired countless people to look at the world a little differently. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a bit of inspiration there yourself.