Contemplate this. What stories lie beneath our feet at Calvary Cemetery? Calvary Cemetery is not just a burial ground. It is a chronicle of Chicago’s past. This cemetery stands on the border between Chicago and Evanston. Calvary Cemetery stretches between Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road.
In 1859, Calvary Cemetery was consecrated. This followed concerns about health risks in the city. These concerns prompted the relocation of bodies from older cemeteries. The city officials worried about water contamination. They also wanted to use valuable city land differently.
Calvary is the oldest cemetery established by the Archdiocese of Chicago. The cemetery’s land was bought in 1856. It covers a large area of 120 acres near Lake Michigan.
Let’s consider some prominent figures who rest here in Calvary Cemetery. Five Chicago mayors are buried here. These include George Dunne and Edward Joseph Kelly. Sports figures like Charles Comiskey are here. Industry leaders such as Edward Hines also call this place their last home. The renowned writer James Thomas Farrell rests here too.
Notice the headstones shaped like tree trunks. These unique markers indicate members of Woodmen of the World. This fraternal organization provided decent burials for its members. The organization stopped providing headstones in the 1920s. Rising costs made it too difficult. The gravestones bear the inscription “Dum tacet clamat.” This means “Though Silent, He Speaks”.
Originally, the gravestones were intended to be uniform. However, stone cutters interpreted the design in their own way. The headstones vary greatly in size and shape. Some resemble tree stumps while others look like stacks of wood.
The cemetery’s landscape has evolved. A lagoon was filled in. Many trees were lost to Dutch Elm Disease in the 1960s. Despite these changes, Calvary remains a place of beauty.
Many residents of Calvary are of Irish Catholic descent. Unlike other cemeteries, religious symbols abound here. Crosses, statues, and stained-glass windows adorn the mausoleums. The cemetery contains over 20,000 interments.
Consider the beauty of Calvary Cemetery’s design. Splendid avenues are bordered by shrubs and flowers. The grounds feature evergreen and deciduous trees. Costly monuments and mausoleums mark the resting places. The monument to Colonel James A. Mulligan is especially noteworthy.
Calvary Cemetery offers a glimpse into Chicago’s history. It connects us to the lives and stories of those who shaped the city. The cemetery is a reminder of the past. It stands as a testament to the city’s rich heritage. It also demonstrates Chicago’s vibrant Irish community. The cemetery is a place where memories live on.
As we conclude our visit to Calvary Cemetery, remember its significance. It is a place of rest. It is a place of remembrance. It is a place where the silent speak volumes.