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All the United States Kansas Topeka Grave of Carrie Frances Kiene

Grave of Carrie Frances Kiene

A mysterious local has been dressing the child's grave for decades.

Topeka, Kansas

Added By
Kerry Wolfe
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The grave in December 2014.   Phil Pasquini
The grave in December 2014.   Phil Pasquini
The grave in July 2016.   Phil Pasquini
The grave in December 2015.   Phil Pasquini
  SemiruralYeti / Atlas Obscura User
  ZZPoppz / Atlas Obscura User
The grave in July 2015.   Phil Pasquini
  needbike14 / Atlas Obscura User
The grave in 2017.   Phil Pasquini
3.18.24  
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About

Carrie Frances Kiene died in 1885 when she was only five years old. She was later moved to Topeka’s Mount Hope Cemetery, where her parents had a statue of the child erected over her grave. But their tender tribute to their lost daughter isn’t the reason “Little Carrie” has become a local legend.

Since the 1990s, an unnamed person has been sneaking into the cemetery under the cover of darkness and adorning the grave with seasonally appropriate clothing. In the warmer months, the statue sports some sort of large, floppy sun hat. When the weather turns cold, the summery garb is swapped for a cozy cap and a big, blanket-like scarf.

No one knows exactly when Carrie will receive a new wardrobe. It’s become a quirky local mystery, as people will wander over to the cemetery to keep tabs on the statue’s latest accessories or try to catch a glimpse the elusive stylist in action.

Not even the cemetery workers know who's behind the statue's ever-changing outfit. A local newspaper reporter once staked out the graveyard and discovered the identity of the mystery dresser, but he refused to reveal anything about the person other than that she’s a woman.

Related Tags

Tradition Mystery Gravestones Cemeteries Clothing Children Graves

Know Before You Go

The GPS coordinates and address lead to Mount Hope Cemetery. The grave is located in the Memorial South I section of the cemetery.

Community Contributors

Added By

Kerry Wolfe

Edited By

jrmargolis724, needbike14, ZZPoppz, SemiruralYeti...

  • jrmargolis724
  • needbike14
  • ZZPoppz
  • SemiruralYeti
  • tnebesniak

Published

June 19, 2018

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Sources
  • http://philpasquini.com/carrie.html
  • https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18800696/carrie-frances-kiene
  • http://weirdkansas.blogspot.com/2009/09/little-carrie-mystery-at-mount-hope.html
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/17195
  • http://www.flashnews.com/news/wfn5080908J26068.html
Grave of Carrie Frances Kiene
4700 SW 17th Street
Topeka, Kansas
United States
39.03956, -95.739321
Get Directions

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Topeka

Topeka

Kansas

Places 6

Nearby Places

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Topeka, Kansas

miles away

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miles away

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Topeka

Kansas

Places 6

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