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

Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

1. Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 Marker

Inscription. Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 was established in 1934 largely to serve the needs of veterans of World War I during the Great Depression. Following the United States' involvement in World War II (1941-5), membership in the VFW swelled. This cornerstone was laid in 1948 for the VFW Memorial Home (aka VFW Club House) containing a copper time capsule. Membership peaked in the 1950s and has declined steadily since then. The VFW sold this building to the Des Plaines Park District in 1994, and it was razed for the expansion of Rand Park and Mystic Waters. This cornerstone was broken out of the building. The time capsule and its contents were placed in the care of the History Center. Post 2992 continued serving local veterans and the Des Plaines community until its closure in 2020.

Erected 2021 by Daniel Meckes, Eagle Scout, BSA Troop 160.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 42° 2.342′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

87° 53.192′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Pearson Street north of East Prairie Avenue. The marker is on the site of the Des Plaines History Center, between the Kinder House and the old bank building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 781 Pearson Street, Des Plaines IL 60016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Socrates Rand Grist Mill (here, next to this marker); Des Plaines Pumping Station Cornerstone (here, next to this marker); Des Plaines Savings & Loan Association (a few steps from this marker); Shari L. Caine Memorial Street Lamp (a few steps from this marker); Elmer Zaleski (a few steps

Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 Marker and building cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

2. Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 Marker and building cornerstone

from this marker); Ernest Mensching (a few steps from this marker); Ernst Beth (a few steps from this marker); John Markgraff (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.

More about this marker. The marker is one of three erected behind the Kinder House on the property of the Des Plaines History Center as part of an Eagle Scout project by Daniel Meckes of Scouts Troop 160.

Also see . . . Des Plaines VFW Post 2992 (Facebook). (Submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Three historical markers at the Des Plaines History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

3. Three historical markers at the Des Plaines History Center

The markers are on the site of the Des Plaines History Center, between the Kinder House and the old bank building.

Eagle Scout project sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

4. Eagle Scout project sign

The three historical markers erected behind the Kinder House on the property of the Des Plaines History Center were part of an Eagle Scout project by Daniel Meckes of Scouts Troop 160.

Des Plaines History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025

5. Des Plaines History Center

A WWI garden erected by VFW Post 2992 is on the right side of this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.