Franklin Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gouin Park
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024
1. Gouin Park Marker
Erected 1947 by Veterans Park District.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II.
Location. 41° 55.351′ N, 87° 52.511′ W. Memorial is in Franklin Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Fullerton Avenue and Scott Street on Fullerton Avenue. The marker is the left cornerstone at the Gouin Park Community House, in the park's southeast corner. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2400 Scott Street, Franklin Park IL 60131, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: M42A1 Dusters (a few steps from this marker); Leyden Township Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Gone Wild! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Connections! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Music Evolution! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joe McMillan (approx. one mile away); B-12 Tower (approx. one mile away); Joe Thomas, Sr. Park (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin Park.
More about this memorial. Veterans Park District includes parts of the Chicago suburbs of Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake and River Grove.
Two tanks dedicated on the 50th anniversary of D-Day can be found a short distance southeast of the building.
Regarding Gouin Park. The park is named after Staff Sergeant Yves J. Gouin, a Melrose Park man who perished in World War II at the age of 21 or 22. On September 3, 1943, Gouin was a gunner on a B-24D Liberator bomber plane on a mission to bomb Sulmona, Italy, when the plane was shot down and crashed; Gouin and six other crewmates perished in the crash, while three
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024
2. Gouin Park Marker
The cornerstone to the right of the entrance lists the names of the members of the Veterans Park District's Board of Commissioners at the time of its dedication.
According to a November 2, 1947, article in the Chicago Tribune, the opening of Gouin Park was the culmination of nearly three years of efforts by homeowners who wanted new park space and playgrounds for the fast-growing area about 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Appearing at the opening ceremony, according to the newspaper, were Gouin's parents, who lived in Melrose Park; Edgar Fergus of Matthews, Indiana, one of the three men to survive the crash in 1943; and Hugh Cross, the lieutenant governor of Illinois.
Also see . . . Veterans Park District - Gouin Park. (Submitted on June 14, 2026, by M.Bloom of Leyden, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024
3. Gouin Park
This tablet for the park is above the main entrance to the boxing facility.
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024
4. M42A1 Duster tank in front of the community house
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024
5. Gouin Park Marker
The community house is behind the two tanks in the southeast corner of Gouin Park.
Photographed by R.Hammill, circa 1947
6. Birds Eye view of Gouin Park when first constructed
Gouin Park was once largely part of the former Pflug family farm.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on June 14, 2026, by M.Bloom of Leyden, Illinois.
