Museum Mondays: Cemeteries as Keepers of Our History
When we walk through a cemetery, we’re not just passing rows of names and dates carved in stone—we’re walking through history. Cemeteries tell us about the people who built our community, the challenges they faced, the faiths they practiced, and the stories that still echo through generations. In West Chicago, three cemeteries—Oakwood, Calvary, and Glen Oak—offer us a unique window into the past.
Oakwood Cemetery: Our First Community Resting Place
The Oakwood Cemetery Association was established in 1858, making it the oldest cemetery in West Chicago. The original plat, surveyed by Jonathan G. Vallette, measured 132 feet by 330 feet and contained 198 lots. The land was generously donated by Dr. Joseph and Mary McConnell and Job and Alice Smith.
Two additions followed, one in 1881 and another in 1898, as the city grew and more families sought a permanent place to honor their loved ones. At one time, visitors would have passed under a striking iron arch at the York Avenue entrance bearing Oakwood’s name. Today, the West Chicago City Museum preserves Oakwood’s legacy by recording and indexing its tombstone information. Each headstone tells a story, and through projects like Tales Tombstones Tell, the Museum helps bring those stories to life.
Calvary Cemetery: A Place for Catholic Families
Calvary Cemetery has its origins in the late 1800s, on land once owned by James B. Trull, a railroad man whose estate stood at 116 Galena Avenue. When the Archdiocese of Chicago purchased the property in the late 1880s, the existing home was moved, and the land became West Chicago’s Catholic cemetery.
At that time, Catholic tradition held that the faithful should be buried in Catholic-only cemeteries. Families often went to great expense to ensure this, sometimes transporting loved ones long distances for burial. Calvary provided local Catholic families with a place of dignity and belonging. Over the years, some burials were even moved here, reflecting the deep desire of families to keep their loved ones together in sacred ground.
Glen Oak Cemetery: Stories from the 20th Century
The youngest of the three, Glen Oak Cemetery was established in 1916 during Mayor William R. McGrath’s administration to meet the needs of a growing city. Located on Arbor Avenue, the cemetery’s original plat held 204 lots and was annexed to West Chicago in 1964.
Despite its youth compared to Oakwood and Calvary, Glen Oak is rich with stories. In 1931, a runaway bull from a nearby farm led townspeople on a wild chase through the grounds. The cemetery is also home to the graves of fascinating figures, from Francis Fisher, a Spanish-American War veteran, to Flora Flenner, a young woman tragically murdered in 1929. Their lives remind us that cemeteries are not only places of grief but also places where the triumphs, tragedies, and everyday moments of our community’s history are remembered.
Why Cemeteries Matter
Cemeteries are more than final resting places—they are archives of memory, carved in stone and held in the earth. They tell us about immigration, religion, war, epidemics, and the rhythms of family life in West Chicago. They connect us to the individuals who lived, worked, and dreamed here before us.
By visiting and preserving these spaces, we honor their memory and keep alive the stories that shaped our community. The past may rest beneath our feet, but its lessons and legacies remain very much alive.
Upcoming Event: Tales Tombstones Tell
You’re invited to step into this history yourself. Join the City Museum and our dedicated volunteer interpreters at Oakwood Cemetery for Tales Tombstones Tell, where the lives of early residents are brought vividly to light.
When: Tours begin at 6:30pm, departing every 10 minutes until the final group at 7:30pm
Where: Oakwood Cemetery entrance at Garden Street
This free, family-friendly event is lit by lanterns and luminaries, creating a moving atmosphere for reflecting on our shared past. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
For more information, please call the Museum at (630) 231-3376 or email museum@westchicago.org.
