Joliet in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

World War I Memorial Tree

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 27, 2026

1. World War I Memorial Tree Marker

Inscription. This tree planted in memory of our boys who served God and country in the World War
1917 – 1918

Erected by American War Mothers.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • War, World I • Women.

Location. 41° 31.487′ N, 88° 4.904′ W. Memorial is in Joliet, Illinois, in Will County. It is at the intersection of Chicago Street and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling south on Chicago Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 14 West Jefferson Street, Joliet IL 60432, 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 Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roswell P. Flower (here, next to this marker); Nelson D. Elwood (here, next to this marker); Bartleson Post No. 6 Memorial Tree (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named World War I Memorial Tree (a few steps from this marker); Samuel Benedict Reed (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); World War I Memorial Trees (a few steps from this marker); Capt. William E. Harwood, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joliet.

More about this memorial.

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This memorial is embedded into a crushed concrete base just above another marker about Roswell P. Flower, the New York governor who was a key figure in the expansion of the Rock Island Lines railroad. These markers, along with several other plaques (including one identical to this one), seem to have been added to this site sometime between after 2020, when the previous courthouse was closed and Chicago Street reopened to traffic. It could not be immediately determined where this memorial was originally located.

Also see . . . Who are the American War Mothers?. A Milwaukee Public Library article looks at the history behind this organization, which erected at least two trees on the grounds of the Will County Courthouse.

Excerpt: "The basic guidelines of the organization include forming a bond amongst service branches; providing support for service members; fostering American ideals, freedom, equality, and democracy; collecting and preserving records of service members; organizing celebrations and ceremonies to honor service members; and cherishing members lost during service."

(Submitted on June 30, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Markers for Roswell P. Flower and WWI dead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 27, 2026

2. Markers for Roswell P. Flower and WWI dead

Three plaques along Chicago Street, near the former site of the Will County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 27, 2026

3. Three plaques along Chicago Street, near the former site of the Will County Courthouse

It appears that these markers were added to the landscaping around 2021, around when Chicago Street (on the left) was reopened to automobile traffic. It is not known where these markers had previously sat. The green field in the background is the site of Will County's fourth courthouse, a brutalist-style building that closed in 2020 and was torn down in 2024.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.