Several key figures in the axe murder mystery are buried in close proximity.
RAGRBAI riders who visit Villisca, Iowa will want to make one last stop before they leave this city of history and mystery. The town's beautifully manicured cemetery is located on the north side of the city.
From the city square turn your bike east on East 3rd Street and then turn left or north on South 5th Avenue. 5th Avenue takes you directly to the cemetery entrance.
Once inside the cemetery gate, pedal straight and turn left at the first cemetery road leading west. The Moore family graves are on your left about three rows from the north-south road.* Once at the distinctive Moore family grave marker, one large stone and a long low stone, the Stillinger girls' graves are slightly southeast in the first row. (see diagram above)
Almost directly east on the other side of the northbound road and under a tree is Iowa State Senator and axe murder suspect F. F. Jones' gravestone. (see diagram above)
If you have the time to walk around the cemetery, and you are familar with the Villisca axe murder mystery, you will find other names you recognize. Several have been profiled in the Virtual Villisca Cemetery on this blog.
To exit the city, travel south on the main cemetery road back to 5th Avenue and turn right on High Street. Pedal west until you reach Highway 71. This intersection is your last opportunity for refreshments or Villisca: Living with a Mystery DVDs at Casey's General Store.
Thank you for visiting Villisca and have a safe and enjoyable RAGBRAI ride!
*In the diagram above, the main north-south cemetery road runs between the Stillinger graves and the Jones family graves.
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