Elgin in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Channing Memorial Park

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

1. Channing Memorial Park Marker

Inscription. This 1/3-mile path is on the former Channing Street Cemetery or Old Cem, the city's first public cemetery from 1844-1906. The site contained as many as 3,500 graves. Following the opening of Bluff City Cemetery in 1888, many of the bodies were moved and Old Cem closed in 1945.

Erected 2010 by Elgin Breakfast Rotary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 42° 2.158′ N, 88° 16.26′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on DuPage Street near Rugby Place, on the left when traveling west. The marker is near the parking lot for the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 63 South Channing Street, Elgin IL 60120, 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 territory of the Mississippian

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Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Cemetery 1845-1945 (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elgin Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gifford Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Gifford Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gifford-Davidson House (approx. 0.4 miles away); James T. Gifford’s Log House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Davidson Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Elgin Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

Also see . . . Channing Street Cemetery, "Old Cem".

Excerpt: "The first cemetery in Elgin was established in the 1830s and was located at what is now the southwest corner of Division and Chapel Streets. In 1843 James T. Gifford donated land for the 'Elgin Burying Ground,' later known as the Channing Street Cemetery. County surveyor Adin Mann surveyed and plated the cemetery in 1844, and in 1845 it was designated as 'a public burying ground.'"

(Submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

2. Channing Memorial Park Marker

Channing Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

3. Channing Memorial Park

Close-up of the marker's photo of Old Cem image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 16, 2026

4. Close-up of the marker's photo of Old Cem

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.