University Village in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Father Arnold Damen, S.J.

Father Arnold J. Damen statue image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2024

1. Father Arnold J. Damen statue

Loyola University website entry
Click for more information.

Inscription. Jesuit Educator
Pioneer
Pastor〜Preacher
1815—1890

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 41° 52.033′ N, 87° 39.233′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in University Village. It is on Roosevelt Road west of Blue Island Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The statue is in front of St. Ignatius College Prep. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1076 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago IL 60608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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: St. Ignatius College Prep Building (a few steps from this marker); Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (approx. 0.3 miles away); Joseph Lovings (approx. 0.3 miles away); Still Here: Zhegagoynak, A Monument and Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jane Addams Homes (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Demolition of the Jane Addams Homes (approx. 0.3 miles away); Deverra Beverly's Quilt (approx. 0.3 miles away); Deverra Beverly (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Father Arnold Damen, S.J.. Netherlands-born Arnold Damen came to America to

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join the Jesuit mission, beginning at St. Louis University in Missouri. In 1857, he came to Chicago to open a parish for Irish immigrants, and in 1870, he opened St. Ignatius College at this location southwest of Chicago's downtown. It was here that he also established what would become Loyola University (now located on the far north side of Chicago).

The building in front of which his statue is located dates to the school's opening and is a rare example of a building that was inside Chicago's city limits in 1871 and survived the Great Chicago Fire.

Fr. Damen died in 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska. He is the namesake of Damen Avenue, a north-south thoroughfare about a mile west of here that was called Robey Street until 1927.

St. Ignatius College Prep Building's Chicago Landmark plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

2. St. Ignatius College Prep Building's Chicago Landmark plaque

The Damen statue is in the background of this east-facing photo; Roosevelt Road is on the right.

St. Ignatius College Prep and the Church of the Holy Family image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

3. St. Ignatius College Prep and the Church of the Holy Family

The Damen statue is to the right and rear of this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.