Mr. Accordion's Grave – Springfield, Illinois - Atlas Obscura

Mr. Accordion's Grave

The empty tomb that houses the memories of Roy Bertelli's revenge.  

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As the story goes, Roy Bertelli always dreamed of being buried in the cemetery containing Lincoln’s Tomb, however, being able to secure a plot was almost impossible. Due to a mixup, Bertelli was able to buy a space beside the road leading to Lincoln’s Tomb. Cemetery officials eventually uncovered the mistake and threatened legal action if Bertelli did not return the plot. Bertelli won in the end, and in a final act of defiance, built a giant gaudy headstone and tomb with his name and Mr. Accordion on the plot. Bertelli would regularly visit the tomb and play his accordion for cemetery visitors.  

Know Before You Go

You can't miss the grave, as it's directly at the front of the cemetery. The cemetery door closes at 5 p.m. 

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June 13, 2019

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