Garfield Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Norman Cornwall Memorial
Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 8, 2024
1. Norman Cornwall Memorial
Erected 1930 by Norman J. Cornwall American Legion Post 275.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list.
Location. 41° 52.624′ N, 87° 42.961′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. Memorial is at the intersection of South Central Park Boulevard and Jackson Boulevard on South Central Park Boulevard. The marker is in Garfield Park, at its eastern border. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Garfield Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. ¼ mile away); The Boulevard System (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); 132nd Infantry Monument
this page online
More about this memorial. Identical text can be found on the east- and west-facing sides of the monument.
This monument was erected on Memorial Day 1930 in honor of soldiers from the west side of Chicago who died in World War I. The 20-foot obelisk made of Georgia marble is topped by a bronze flame. Bollards that originally adorned the steps of the memorial are missing, with only very limited remnants of their base visible on the steps.
Regarding Norman Cornwall Memorial. Norman J. Cornwall Post 275 was named after a west side native who died in World War I. According to his draft registration, filed in May of 1917, he lived at 3107 West Polk Street, which is about ¾ of a mile southeast (as the crow flies) from the memorial. While a contemporary article about Cornwall's death could not be found, his gravestone at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois, says he died on November 1, 1918, in Exermont, France. A Chicago Tribune article listed Cornwall as one of 36 bodies being returned to Chicago in October 1921, and the Chicago Park
Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 8, 2024
2. Norman Cornwall Memorial text
The obelisk features identical text on its west- and east-facing sides.
Also see . . . Norman Cornwall Memorial. A history of the memorial from the Chicago Park District.
Excerpt: "Three thousand people participated in the ceremonies to dedicate the Norman J. Cornwell Memorial. Before unveiling the obelisk, American Legion members, boy scouts, and Illinois police officers led a parade through the neighborhood to the monument. Prominent speakers at the ceremonies included Charles S. Dougherty, former assistant state’s attorney and past commander of the Cornwall Post."(Submitted on April 8, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 8, 2024
3. Norman Cornwall Memorial (north-facing view)
Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 8, 2024
4. Garfield Park
Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-171863)
5. Norman J. Cornwall
From the Chicago History Museum files of World War I service members, a photograph of Norman J. Cornwall, namesake of the American Legion post that erected this memorial in Garfield Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 8, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
