5 Famous and Delightfully Obscure Folks Buried in Kentucky: 50 States of Wonder - Atlas Obscura
50 States of Wonder  /  Kentucky

50 States of Wonder
5 Famous and Delightfully Obscure Folks Buried in Kentucky

When the Grim Reaper visits, it doesn't discriminate. The cemeteries of the Bluegrass State are home to a cast of characters that includes famous folks, as well as others whose faces you know, but whose names you might not recognize. Visitors can pay their respects to a fast-food icon, a world-famous athlete, comedic actor, and a local magician, as well as a folk hero who may or may not be buried there at all.

By Winnie Lee
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With his “secret recipe” fried chicken in his Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, Sanders became a household name. Schweg (Atlas Obscura user)
Grave

1. Colonel Sanders's Grave

Located in Kentucky’s Cave Hill Cemetery, the grave of Colonel Harland Sanders, one of the most recognizable mascots in the world, honors the chicken man with a bust sculpted by his daughter. (Read more.)

1521-1599 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

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Jim Varney would eventually bring a character called Ernest to the big screen in numerous films, including "Ernest Goes to Camp." Touchstone Pictures/MovieStillsDB.com
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2. Jim Varney’s Grave

The Lexington Cemetery is the final resting place for actor James Albert Varney Jr., known for playing Ernest P. Worrell in a series of films and commercials. Varney became a successful pitchman with his signature catchphrase, “Know what I mean, Vern?” (Read more.)

833 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40508

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The man born as Cassius Clay Jr. changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he converted to Islam. RCJ21483/CC BY-SA 4.0
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3. Muhammad Ali Gravesite

Aptly nicknamed “The Greatest,” boxing heavyweight champion, humanitarian, philanthropist, and civil rights leader Muhammad Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky. The boxing legend was buried in the city’s historic Cave Hill Cemetery, and positioned on his side, facing east in accordance with his Islamic faith. (Read more.)

701 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204

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4. The Grave of Harry L. Collins

Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville is the eternal home to many Kentucky luminaries. But few of the cemetery's sites can hold a candle in terms of detail, scale, or overall coolness to the life-sized memorial of Louisville magician Harry Leon Collins. After a stint in the Marines during World War II, Collins got a gig as a salesman at Frito-Lay—and for decades, he pitched crispy snacks during the day and busted out illusions at night. He loved both worlds. The magic word for all of his tricks was “Frito-Lay!” (Read more.)

2395 Cave Hill Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

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This grave marks the final resting place of a legendary frontiersman. Unless it doesn't. PunkToad/CC BY 2.0
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5. Grave of Daniel Boone

One of the archetypal American frontiersmen, Daniel Boone is buried in Frankfort Cemetery with his wife, Rebecca, on a high bluff overlooking Kentucky’s capital city. However, people from Missouri, where Boone spent the last 20 years of his life, might have you believe otherwise. (Read more.)

245-397 Glenns Creek Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601

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Photo Credits: Franck Fotos/Alamy (Colonel Harland Sanders&#8217;s Grave in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.)