Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cold War, 1946-1991

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Cold War, 1946-1991 Marker

Inscription. Following World War II, the world was polarized between the democratic West led by the United States and the communist East led by the Soviet Union. So-called Third World countries often struggled to stay neutral. While the two superpowers did not directly engage in armed conflict with each other, they maintained arsenals of conventional and nuclear weapons ready to strike each other at all times. Both sides also engaged in espionage, subterfuge, proxy wars, political influence, and soft power maneuvers wherever possible to further their causes. The United States military grew and remained active across the globe for the entirety of the Cold War.

[Caption beneath photo:]
The possibility of air raids and nuclear attocks from the Soviet Union led many in the United States to prepare for worst case scenarios. This leaflet informed Des Plaines residents about the emergency alarm systems and how they would sound for a storm warning versus an enemy attack.

Erected by Des Plaines History Museum.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 42° 0.79′ N, 87° 53.686′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Lee Street west of

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Fargo Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in Lake Park, near the memorial pavilion just east of Lake Opeka. It is part of the memorial garden walk, 11 signs that discuss America's military engagements and Des Plaines's link to them, that sits behind the POW/MIA memorial. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Des Plaines IL 60018, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: War in Afghanistan, 2001-2021 (here, next to this marker); Vietnam War, 1955-1975 (here, next to this marker); Gulf War, 1990-1991 (here, next to this marker); Iraq War, 2003-2011 (here, next to this marker); Lake Park Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (here, next to this marker); Korean War, 1950-1975 (here, next to this marker); World War II, 1941-1945 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

Memorial Garden Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. Memorial Garden Walk

Between Lake Park's memorial pavilion and the POW/MIA memorial is a small "garden walk" that includes 11 signs describing America's military history and Des Plaines's link.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.