Nestled on the side of one of Mount Mora’s hills is the oldest mausoleum in the cemetery — a granite Gothic Revival belonging to George and Pamelia Catlett. The mausoleum, with its wooden door, shelters two white marble tombs.

It was erected in 1886 for Dr. George Catlett, a Confederate physician during the Civil War. The doctor signed the oath of allegiance and became the first director of State Lunatic Asylum No. 2 after the war.

“For his time, the doctor was a progressive, caring and loving man,” said Suzanne Lehr, a historian who’s done extensive research on the cemetery and its residents. The doctor was 58 when he died. The widow, born in 1834, lived into the 20th century, dying on Aug. 1, 1912.

Dr. Catlett will be one of the characters in this year’s “Voices from Our Past” on Oct. 29 and 30. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a walk through the historic cemetery and learn about some of this city’s early residents. Dr. Catlett appeared in a previous “Voices” program, Mrs. Lehr said, but this time he’ll have a different story to tell.

Established in 1851, Mount Mora is one of the city’s oldest continually operating cemeteries and the only one on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The tours are meant to educate about the fascinating history of St. Joseph and the people who worked to build the city in its early days,” Mrs. Lehr said, “Mount Mora is truly a historical and architectural treasure everyone should experience.”

Space is limited for this event, which sells out before the tours start. Admission is $15 for the public and $13 for museum members and Mount Mora Association members. Tickets can be purchased at the St. Joseph Museums Inc., 3406 Frederick Ave., or by calling (816) 232-8471.

Each week, Property of the Past

writer Marshall White features a building or an item of St. Joseph history. If you have a home, building, special collection or an interesting piece of history, contact him

at marshall@npgco.com.