Evanston in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Calvary Cemetery
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025
1. Cavalry Cemetery Marker
Calvary's roads are lined with over ten different species of trees which lend to the park-like atmosphere. The arched limestone entrance, designed by renowned Chicago architect James J. Egan, remains a main focal point. Many of the family monuments and mausoleums surrounding Section 1, face inward, where there once existed a lagoon which was the centerpiece of the cemetery.
Calvary Cemetery is the resting place of many prominent historical figures with ties to the foundation of the City of Chicago.
Erected by Catholic Cemeteries of Chicago.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 42° 1.496′ N, 87° 40.64′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Chicago Avenue 0.2 miles south of South Boulevard. The sign is inside Calvary Cemetery, near the Chicago Avenue entrance. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Vera Megowan Park (approx. Ό mile away); Triangle Park (approx. Ό mile away); Native Plants (approx. half a mile away); Sustainable Infrastructure (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joyce Kilmer Triangle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Indian Boundary Lines (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Battle Cloister (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Memorial Elm (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.
Regarding Calvary Cemetery. Among the notable people buried at Calvary are five former Chicago mayors, including the first woman, Jane Byrne; Charles
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025
2. Calvary Cemetery Marker
Also see . . . Calvary Cemetery official site. (Submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025
3. Calvary Cemetery main entrance
A slightly obscured view of the Chicago Avenue entrance to the cemetery
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025
4. Calvary Cemetery Sheridan Road entrance
Lake Michigan is on the right side.
Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, circa 1929
5. Calvary Cemetery, Sheridan Road, Lake Michigan
Calvary Cemetery is visible on the right side of this photo from 1929. The bend of the road is the border between Evanston and Chicago. The caption from the Chicago History Museum: "People standing on a road and on the side of the road between Lake Michigan and Calvary Cemetery after a flood."
Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-050675), circa 1876
6. James J. Egan
Born in Cork, Ireland, James J. Egan moved to the United States in the 1860s and came to Chicago soon after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In addition to the gate to Calvary Cemetery, some of his other notable nearby structures include the St. Benedict Flats at Chicago and Wabash on Chicago's near north side and the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. This photo is included in an 1876 collection of biographical sketches of "Leading Men of Chicago."
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
