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

Spanish-American War, 1898

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Spanish-American War, 1898 Marker

Inscription. After a mysterious attack on the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, the United States became involved on the side of colonists in their revolutions against the Spanish Empire in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Only 385 service members from the United States were killed in combat, but over 2,000 died due to disease. Seventeen men from Des Plaines served in the military during the Spanish-American War, and none of them perished.

[Caption beneath photo:]
Des Plaines resident Elgie Selden served in the 45th Volunteer Infantry, US Army, during the Spanish-American War. He was stationed in the Philippines after the war ended as shown in this group photo taken in 1900. Selden is sitting in the tree on the far left with his rifle pointed upward.

Erected by Des Plaines History Center.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, Spanish-American • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 42° 0.787′ N, 87° 53.684′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lee Street west of Fargo Avenue, on the right when traveling

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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: World War I, 1917-1918 (here, next to this marker); Civil War, 1861-1865 (here, next to this marker); Korean War, 1950-1975 (here, next to this marker); Lake Park Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Illinois Remembers POW/MIA (here, next to this marker); World War II, 1941-1945 (here, next to this marker);

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.

Iraq War, 2003-2011 (here, next to this marker); Gulf War, 1990-1991 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

Also see . . . Find a Grave: Elgie Raymond Selden. Elgie Selden, whose photograph is included on this historical marker, died in 1962 and is buried at Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines. (Submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

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 116 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.