Beverly in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Gold Star Mothers World War I Memorial
Soldiers Sailors Marines
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2026
1. Gold Star Mothers World War I Memorial
1914 ★ 1918
In loving memory of our sons who gave their lives in the World War.
It is the grateful privilege of posterity to honor the nation's heroic dead
"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War, World I • Women.
Location. 41° 44.167′ N, 87° 40.779′ W. Memorial is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Beverly. It can be reached from the intersection of West 87th Street and South Western Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Dan Ryan Woods, near the visitors center and a short walk from the parking lot. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dan Ryan Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); Surrounded by Water (within shouting distance of this marker); Building Dan Ryan Woods (within shouting distance of this marker); Nature & Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); 1937 Allis Chalmers
this page online
More about this memorial. This long-forgotten memorial resurfaced in 2012 when a passerby at Dan Ryan Woods, close to the 87th and Western intersection, found its remnants its original stone and concrete base and a small plaque that said "Chicago Council of Gold Star Mothers. The memorial's original plaque was gone and, according to at least one news report, stone base was getting regular use as a makeshift toilet. The memorial was placed in storage for several years amid efforts to research the original text of the plaque and raise funds to restore the memorial. It was rededicated in November 2018 in a more prominent spot near the visitors center. The area was refurbished again in 2026.
Regarding Gold Star Mothers World War I Memorial. Gold Star Mothers organizations were support organizations that began during World War I and carried on with remembrance activities after the war. Likewise, the Chicago Council was created in 1918 and
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2026
2. World War I Memorial at Dan Ryan Woods
The stone and concrete base for this memorial was found by workers clearing brush in 2012. Its main plaque was missing; all that remained was as a small plaque identifying it as having been erected by the Chicago Council of Gold Star Mothers.
This memorial, according to various histories, was approved by Dan Ryan himself, who was the president of Cook County's Board of Commissioners in 1921-1922. (The Dan Ryan name is best known today through the expressway that runs through the south side of Chicago; it is named after his son, Dan Ryan Jr. This park was named after the Dan Ryan Sr. in 1924, a year after he died. It was originally called Beverly Hills preserve.) Dan Ryan Sr. was opposed to erecting war memorials in the county's forest preserves, which were intended to leave the land to nature, rather than serve as city parks; he believed that they should not be used to glorify war. However, he apparently made an exception for several memorials erected by Gold Star Mothers.
Also see . . .
1. ABC 7 Chicago: Gold Star Mothers monument rededicated.
Excerpt: "The monument at 87th Street and Western Avenue was nearly forgotten. About five years ago, Tim Noonan said he was walking with his children in the Dan Ryan Woods and found the old, dilapidated structure. He made it his mission to restore the Gold Star Mothers monument. Since then, a new plaque was added, along with an original plaque that reads, 'Chicago Council of Gold Star Mothers.'"
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2026
3. Gold Star Mothers World War I Memorial, near the Dan Ryan Woods visitors center
2. Beverly Review: World War I monument being upgraded. This December 2025 article describes work to restore the memorial, which was completed in 2026.
Excerpt: "Ryan served as president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1921-22. He had four sons who served in the war. During his tenure, placing captured German tanks in the preserves was proposed, but Ryan was opposed, stating the preserves should remain 'peaceful.'(Submitted on June 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
"However, he allowed the Gold Star Mothers to place several of their markers in the preserves. After he died, the Beverly preserve was renamed the Dan Ryan Woods in 1924.
"The markers have long since disappeared from the other preserves, and the one in the Dan Ryan Woods had seriously deteriorated when it was rediscovered and restored. It was rededicated in 2017, thanks to community efforts led by Beverly resident Tim Noonan."
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2026
4. Rear view of the Gold Star Mothers World War I Memorial at Dan Ryan Woods
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
