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James “Cool Papa” Bell Memorial

DESCRIPTION: The 10-foot high memorial is at the gravesite of the Negro National Major League baseball player. It is made of African granite and pays homage to "A Universal Legend" commemorating Bell's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

ADDRESS: St. Peters Cemetery, 2101 Lucas & Hunt Road, North St. Louis County

LOCATION: Northwest of downtown St. Louis

PHONE NUMBER: 314-385-0841

GETTING THERE: From downtown, take I-70 west to exit 241-B (Lucas & Hunt Road). Turn left on Lucas & Hunt Road and go 1.8 miles to the cemetery.

HOURS: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

ADMISSION: Free

SIGNIFICANCE: When Bell was 16, his family moved from Mississippi to St. Louis where he worked in a packing house. He played semi-pro baseball for the Compton Hill Cubs, joining the St. Louis Stars in the Negro Leagues in 1922. He later played with the Pittsburgh Crawfords, the Homestead Grays and the Kansas City Monarchs. Bell was known for his great speed -- in fact, legend was that he was so fast, he could turn out the light and be in bed before the room got dark. It was also said that he could round the bases in 11 seconds. He stole more than 175 bases one year alone, and he batted over 400 several times during his 29-year career. But despite his outstanding abilities, Bell was barred from the major leagues because of his race.

HISTORY: The monument was designed by Connie Bell Brooks, his only child, and dedicated on July 20, 1996, a day the Governor of Missouri proclaimed "James 'Cool Papa' Bell Day." Several years earlier part of Dickson Street was renamed "Cool Papa Bell Street."

WHAT'S NEARBY: Lambert St. Louis International Airport is nearby and three other St. Louis Cemeteries -- Oak Grove, Bellefontaine and Bellerive Heritage -- are a few miles away.

Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com