Graves of Herbert and Lou Hoover at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Herbert Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry, are buried on a hill west of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa. The burial site has a direct line of view to the small cottage where Hoover was born.
View of Hoover’s birth home from his gravesite, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Lou Hoover died on January 7, 1944, nearly twenty-one years before Herbert, and was buried in a Palo Alto, California, cemetery near their home in Stanford. The Hoovers had strong ties to Stanford University, as both graduated from there. Herbert died on October 20, 1964, at age 90, and was buried a few days later in West Branch. Shortly thereafter, Lou was moved from California and reinterred next to her husband.
Parking for the Hoover gravesite is on the south side of the loop road that begins just west of the presidential library. Access to the parking lot is from 6 AM to 10 PM. A paved path leads to the graves.
Paved path to the Hoover Gravesite at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
The walk from the parking lot is 100 yards (tenth of mile), and while the path is paved and wheelchair accessible, it is uphill. Those in a wheelchair will need either a motorized wheelchair, great upper body strength, or a person to push them up the hill.
Hoover gravesite is at the top of a small hill, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Hoover gravesite at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
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Last updated on March 19, 2025
