Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
World War I Memorial
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 30, 2025
1. World War I Memorial Marker
19171919
J. Bryan A. Burns H. Buschman L. Dexter J. Malek H. McAllister J. Pozdol M. Statton
Erected by Daughters of the American Revolution, Downers Grove Chapter.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list.
Location. 41° 48.802′ N, 88° 0.938′ W. Memorial is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Saratoga Avenue 0.2 miles north of 41st Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is to the left of the flagpole, about 20 yards from the veterans memorial obelisk near the headquarters of American Legion Post 80. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 4000 Saratoga Avenue, Downers Grove IL 60515, 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: DuPage County Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Alexander Bradley Burns Post No. 80 War Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Suburban Habitat (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pierce and Lucy Downer Burial Ground (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pierce Downer (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bicentennial Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Downer Burial Place (approx. 0.6 miles away); Downer Family Well (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.
More about this memorial. This memorial predates the nearby memorial obelisk by at least 50 years. It is not known where this memorial previously stood; this American Legion Post #80 building opened in 1961.
Regarding World War I Memorial. Alexander "Alec" Burns, one of the eight men listed on this plaque, is the namesake of the American Legion Post headquartered here. A native of Downers
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 30, 2025
2. Veterans Memorial
This memorial is left of the flagpole, a short walk from American Legion Post #80's veterans memorial obelisk. This memorial is at least 50 years older than the obelisk; it is not known if it was moved here from a different location.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 30, 2025
3. D.A.R. flagpole
The Downers Grove chapter of the D.A.R. also dedicated this flagpole in front of the Post 80 building. Grace Stover, referenced on this plaque, was an early settler to Downers Grove.
Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-171794), circa 1918
4. Alexander Bradley Burns
Alec Burns, the namesake of Downers Grove's American Legion Post 80, died in France in 1918 of wounds suffered when an enemy shell exploded near him. He was a native of Downers Grove and had just graduated from Downers Grove High School when he joined the war effort.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
