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

World War I Memorial

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. World War I Memorial Marker

Inscription. Placed in memory of the men from Des Plaines who died in WWI as a final project of V.F.W. Post 2992
Mike Lake, Commander

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • War, World I.

Location. 42° 2.331′ N, 87° 53.192′ W. Memorial is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on East Prairie Avenue east of Pearson Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the side of a small garden near the southeast corner of the Kinder House at the Des Plaines History Center. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 781 Pearson Street, Des Plaines IL 60016, 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 19 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frederick Ladendorf (here, next to this marker); John Markgraff (here, next to this marker); George Cook (here, next to this marker); Anthony Biba (here, next to this marker); Ernest Mensching (here, next to this marker); Ernst Beth (here, next to this marker); Elmer Zaleski (here, next to this marker); Socrates Rand Grist Mill (a few steps from this marker); Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 (a few steps from this marker); Des Plaines Pumping Station Cornerstone (a few steps from this marker); Shari L. Caine Memorial Street Lamp (within shouting distance of this marker); Des Plaines Savings & Loan Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 09.11.2001 (approx. ¼ mile away); 9/11 Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); First McDonald's Franchise (approx. half a mile away); Des Plaines River Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Belleau Wood — June 1918 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Belleau Wood (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

Regarding World War I Memorial. According

World War I memorial garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. World War I memorial garden

to a nearby historical marker, VFW Post 2442 was founded in 1934 and closed in 2020. While an article about this little garden on the grounds of the Des Plaines History Center could not be found, based on photographs found online and the post's closing date, it was erected in either 2020 or 2021.

The seven little plaques honoring Des Plaines's World War I dead are presumed to have previously been erected somewhere outdoors in Des Plaines (and each has been given its own listing), but it could not be determined where.

Also see . . .
1. Des Plaines History Center official site. (Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. VFW Post 2992 official page (Facebook). (Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Des Plaines History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

3. Des Plaines History Center

The WWI garden is on the right side of this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.