Graceland Cemetery - Chicago, IL

Graceland is one of the "Garden Cemeteries inspired by the English garden movement (1830-1855).

This was the period when cemeteries turned into beautiful welcoming gardens, inviting families to spend a Sunday picnic with departed loved ones.

This 119 acre Victorian era cemetery was established in 1860. Graceland is known for its' Art Deco Mausoleums and has some wonderful Egyptian Revival art work. It is on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Eternal Silence

Also known as the Dexter Graves Monument or the Statue of Death, created in 1909 by American sculptor Lorado Taft.

The cemetery was originally created outside the city limits, but now it's surrounded by the city, located just north of Wrigley Field. Notables buried here include George Pullman (inventor of the railroad sleeping car), Chicago brewer Peter Schoenhofen, Victor Fremont Lawson (publisher of Chicago Daily News), three of the Deering brothers (International Harvester fame), and Charles Dickens brother, Augustus.

Above is the Schoenhofen Pyramid (family) Mausoleum designed by Chicago School architect Richard E Schmidt...below are close-ups of the side statues

And from another angle...just lovely.

This is an interesting women...

but, I like the close-up of her hand the best.

I know they offer tours throughout the year and special "Haunted Tours" on Halloween. According to the internet buzz this seems to be one of the most active cemeteries for ghosts.

These images were taken on December 11, 2006.
To view more of my cemetery images visit: EnfocusGallery.com