It has been fifteen years since we last saw the original headstones fill the hillsides at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland park. Claude Coats, Marc Davis and X Atencio are just a few of the masterminds behind the Haunted Mansion whose whimsical headstones disappeared. I spoke with art director Kim Irvine who explained how the headstones made it back to their original home.

The original headstones and the Imagineers they represented are as follows:

  • Claude Coats (lead designer – specializing in backgrounds and environments, he also developed the Omnimover layout)
    • At Peaceful Rest Lies Brother Claude
      Planted Here Beneath This Sod
  • Marc Davis (lead designer – specializing in character design and sight gags)
    • In memory of our Patriarch
      Dear Departed Grandpa Marc
  • X Atencio (script and song)
    • Requiescat Francis Xavier
      No time off for good behavior R.I.P.
  • Bill Martin (concept architect)
    • Here Lies A Man Named Martin
      The Lights Went Out on this Old Spartan
  • Dave Burkhart (models)
    • Dear Departed Brother Dave
      He Chased a Bear into A Cave
  • Yale Gracey (special effects and illusions)
    • Master Gracey Laid to Rest
      No Mourning Please, at His Request. Farewell
  • Bob Sewell (models)
    • R.I.P. Mister Sewell
      The victim of a dirty duel, Peaceful rest
  • Chuck Myall (show designer)
    • R.I.P., in memoriam Uncle Myall,
      Here you’ll lie for quite a while
  • Gordon Williams (sound and Audio-Animatronics system)
    • Good Friend Gordon
      Now you’ve Crossed the River Jordan
  • Cliff Huet (architecture/interiors)
    • Rest in Peace Cousin Huet
      We All Know You Didn’t Do It
  • Wathel Rogers (figure animation)
    • Here Rests Wathel R. Bender
      He Rode to Glory on a Fender
  • Fred Joerger (models/effect modeling)
    • Here Lies Good Old Fred
      A Great Big Rock Fell on His Head, R.I.P.