A DISCUSSION AND THEORY
OF
SEVERAL DISCRETE SECTIONS COMPRISING
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY
Prepared by Barry A Fleig
January 1995, Revised September 2014
The following is my best theory as to how County Cemetery grew, based upon the information that I have gathered over many years of research. It is still a work in progress.
I believe there were at least eight discrete sections to Cook County Cemetery. This section will describe and discuss each of these cemetery sections as I feel they evolved. They are in chronological order as the cemetery grew. It is suggested that this discussion be used in conjunction with detailed maps of the County Farm.
The complete history of the institution, crucial to understanding the cemetery, was extensively used in this study, but is not a large part of this discussion. Only some relevant buildings will be referred to establish physical relationships with cemetery sections.
The County Farm began with the purchase of the east half of the SE 1/4 of section 18, township 40 Range 13 on September 21 1851. A three story brick poorhouse was completed in November 1854. The building was located on Poorhouse road (a road running diagonally) from the SE corner of section 18 (now Irving Park and Narragansett Ave) with Smith's Tavern at Natoma and Higgins near present day Norwood Park. The poorhouse was located 35 rods (577.5 feet) from the East-west centerline of section 18. The poorhouse, other early buildings, and the earliest sections of the cemetery were aligned along and parallel to the diagonal Poorhouse Road.
DISCRETE SECTION ONE
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY - ORIGINAL BURYING GROUND
The first discrete section of Cook County Cemetery, the oldest and first “burying ground” of Cook County Cemetery, was the section described as being “too close to the insane asylum.”
This original section it was aligned with, parallel and close to Poorhouse Road that ran at an angle, north northwest from Western Plank Road (Irving Park) (the Southeast corner of Section 18) to the intersection of Natoma and Higgins where Smith's Tavern was then located. This cemetery section, the oldest, outgrew the need of the institution and later fell victim to construction of later buildings and the possibility of bodies being removed to another area. There is no written documentation that bodies were or were not moved.
I believe this very original section of the cemetery was approximately 2 acres in size, (not 20 acres) and was established south of the poorhouse parallel to Poorhouse Road. This (first) cemetery section was 500' from the poor house. I believe that it measured 200' x 400' consisting of 80,000 square feet (1.836 acres). An 8' wide north to south access road might have divided the cemetery into two sub-sections. Each sub-section would contain 38,400 square feet for a total of 76,800 square feet of burial space. A second estimate of size is 208' x 417' (12.6 x 25.3 rods) comprising 1.982 acres.
To estimate the design capacity of this space, I used a 2.5' x 8' grave space which allows for a 2' wide walk between rows and a small space between adjoining graves. This is a fairly common arrangement for a potters field or pauper section of the time. This is a reasonable estimate for this cemetery section, in view of the fact that they would have had no reason to anticipate burial space problems that would later occur. They did not have the benefit of knowing the logarithmic burial growth patterns that would soon be a problem. Their space arrangements would have been based upon the burial rate at the time.
This layout would provide for a design capacity of about 4,000 adult bodies. At the time the burial space was laid out, the data suggests an estimate of 10 to 15 burials per month. This would lead a person of the time to consider the space to have a usage period about 13 years. It is estimated that the cemetery began service in December of 1854 and operated for a period of 227 months, ending at October 31, 1869 when it was indicated that a new cemetery would be established on the ridge.
At the end of its estimated service, there appears to have been about 4,107 burials, 102.6% of its estimated design capacity. The apparent overage was not a serious problem as many of the burials were that of fetuses, stillborn, infants, and small children buried in less than the space of an adult grave. I estimate the overall mathematical average of monthly burial rate in this cemetery section to be about 18 burials per month.
The 1869 insane asylum designed to be built about 200' from the poor house would have partially interfered with the old burying ground.
This proposed new construction of the Insane Asylum, its potential interference with the cemetery, and the fact that cemetery was reached or had reached capacity, supports the need for a new cemetery location and explains the 1869 report to the Board of Commissioners in which the need for additional cemetery space was needed.
I believe that the 1869 document which refers to the filled 20 acre burying was a typographical error and should have read 2.0 acres. My theory for this is based upon the following careful observations:
A 20 acre burying ground in 1869 would have a capacity of over 45,000 bodies, a capacity far in excess of what the Warden or other planners might have felt necessary and proper about 1854 when this first burying ground was platted. Had it been the full 20 acres, at the current estimated burial rate in 1869, this space would provide the burial needs of the institution for over 200 years, which would have not been reasonable.
Twenty Acres would have occupied a full 25 percent of the 80 acre County Farm, a percentage that would have been too high in proportion to other land use
The source of the 2.0 acre figure was a meeting of the Board of Cook County Commissioners. The notes taken at that meeting could have read 2.0 but rewritten or typeset without the decimal point. When the meeting notes were typeset, the size was spelled out as “twenty”. There is precedent for expressing such numbers in decimal.
Maps provide no reasonable clear area that could have accommodated a full 20 acres of "old ground".
Finally the most compelling evidence to support a 2 acre old burying ground of Cook County Cemetery is the burial data. The existing burial data and the corresponding estimates made for missing data total about 4,107 bodies buried for the period November 1854 thru October 1869. This data, derived totally independent of land use, is an independent and reliable indicator of the true burial pattern for this time period.
The difference from the printed document and the cemetery section does not materially affect the total burials at the County Farm. It does, however change the distribution of burials. This distribution very closely matches the statistical burial information found in the Board of Cook County Commissioner reports.
DISCRETE SECTION TWO
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY
OLD GROUNDS - WEST SECTION (“ON THE RIDGE”)
The west line of the West section of Cook County Cemetery, 5.739 acres in size, was established 60 rods (990' feet west of south east corner of the original old burying ground section described above. A centerline, running east and west thru the cemetery, was 60 rods (990') from the southern boundary of Section 18. The cemetery measured 500' x 500' consisting of 250,000 square feet. It might be expected that two 12' wide wagon access roads divided the cemetery into four sub-sections each measuring 240' x 240'. Each sub-section would contain 57,600 square feet for a total of 230,400 square feet of burial space. Again, a 2.5 x 8 foot grave space estimate was used, which allows for a two foot walk between rows. This layout would provide a design capacity of 12,000 adult bodies. At the time the burial space was laid out, the data suggests an estimate of 40 burials per month. At this rate, this cemetery portion would have a life expectancy of about 25 years. It is estimated that the cemetery began service in November 1, 1854 and operated for a period of 168 months, ending at October 31, 1883 when it was indicated that a new cemetery addition was necessary.
If bodies were indeed reinterred as a result of the construction of the insane asylum, we are faced with the question of how many bodies would have been exhumed and moved to this new cemetery section on the ridge. If bodies were removed that were only directly in the path of new construction, the count of bodies moved could have been as few as 500.
It would seem unlikely that all of the estimated 4,000 bodies would have been moved. First, at least three quarters of the burials were not directly in the path of the new construction. Second, we know from later reports that bodies were uncovered about 1935 when the Horner building was built. Third, removing and relocating bodies is a labor intensive task, and as few bodies would be normally disturbed as they felt necessary.
In 1874 a cemetery vault was erected on the west edge of the cemetery section. It appears to have been 15 foot square. Bodies were stored in the vault during winter months when the ground was frozen. The vault appeared to have a maximum capacity of twelve to fifteen bodies in pine coffins. Also in 1874 a reservoir/lagoon/”Lake” was created between the old burying ground and the west section. In 1882, the railroad was constructed 88 feet to the west of this cemetery section.
In this section, I estimate that there appears to have been about 12,833 burials, 106.9% of its design capacity. The apparent overage is probably the result of many fetus, stillborn, infants, and small children buried in less than the space of an adult grave. The overall mathematical average of monthly burial rate in this cemetery section is 65 burials per month.
This existence of this section is well supported by the 1869 document in the board of Cook County Commissioner's reports. It appeared in the Chicago Tribune and was also reprinted in the Cook County Charity reports.
DISCRETE SECTION THREE
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY
1883 - ADDITION 50' x 200' AND AN ACRE TO SOUTH
A very small 50' x 200' addition (.2295 acre in size) containing 10,000 square feet is the third section of Cook County Cemetery created about 1883. The northern boundary of this section is 60 rods (990') north of the south line of section 18. The east boundary is 20 rods, (330') west of the east line of section 18. One 8' wide wagon access road might have divided the cemetery into two sections. It appears by its small size that this section was a stopgap measure to provide burial space on rather short notice. In view of the circumstances, a 2' x 6' grave space estimate was used, which would provide a design capacity of only about 640 adult burials.
At the time this burial space was laid out, the data suggests a usage period of only about 7 months. It is estimated that the cemetery began service in November 1, 1883 and operated for a period of 8 months, ending about July 1, 1884.
In this section, there appears to have been about 661 burials, 103.2% of its design capacity. The apparent overage is probably the result of many fetus, stillborn, infants, and small children buried in less than the space of an adult grave. The overall mathematical average of monthly burial rate in this cemetery section is 82.6 burials per month which is consistent with the actual burials made during this period.
This existence of this section is well supported by the document in the board of Cook County Commissioner's reports. It also appeared in the Chicago Tribune.
This cemetery section was used during a period of new construction. A new Infirmary (Poor House) was being constructed just south of the cemetery, and it appears that attention to the planning of a larger cemetery was delayed.
It appears that burials continued directly south of the 50' x 200' addition in a space 200' x 200' (.909 acre in size) containing 40,000 square feet is the third section of Cook County Cemetery. The northern boundary is adjacent to the southern boundary of the 50 x 200 addition described above, 60 rods (990') north of the south line of section 18. The east boundary is 20 rods, (330') west of the east line of section 18. One 8' wide wagon access road might have divided the cemetery into two sections. A 2 x 6 foot grave space estimate was again used, which would provide a design capacity of 2560 adult burials in 38,400 square feet of burial space. At the time this burial space was laid out, the data suggests a usage period of 2.5 years. It is estimated that this portion began service about July 1, 1984 and operated for a period of 40 months, ending about October 31, 1887. Burial statistics suggest that about 2,666 burials were made during this period, 104.1% of it's design capacity.
DISCRETE SECTION FOUR
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY - EXTENSION TO FENCE
A 63' x 500' addition (.723 acre in size) containing 31,500 square feet is the fourth section of Cook County Cemetery. This is an addition to the cemetery section #3 described as being “On the Ridge”. This addition added the land between the cemetery and the fence which bordered on the railroad right of way. The eastern boundary of this section is 60 rods (990') west of the east line of section 18. It is also adjacent the west boundary of the 500' x 500' section described earlier as cemetery section #3.
One 12' wide wagon access road running west might have divided the section into two sections. It appears by its small size that this section was again a stopgap measure to provide burial space on rather short notice. In view of the circumstances, a 2 x 6 foot grave space estimate was again used, which would provide a design capacity of 2050 adult burials. At the time this burial space was laid out, a burial rate of about 54 burials per month suggests a usage life of about 3 years. It is estimated that this section of the cemetery began service on November 1, 1887 and operated for a period of 29 months, ending about Mar 31, 1890.
In this section, there appears to have been about 2,070 burials, 100.9% of its design capacity. The small overage is probably the result of many fetus, stillborn, infants, and small children buried in less than the space of an adult grave. The overall mathematical average of monthly burial rate in this cemetery section is 71 burials per month.
This existence of this section is well supported by the document in the board of Cook County Commissioner's reports.
DISCRETE SECTION FIVE
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY - “NEW GROUNDS”
The southwest corner of the fifth section of Cook County Cemetery, 5.739 acres in size was established 733' north and 1,380' (1/2 mile) west of the southwest corner of section 18. A centerline, running east and west thru the cemetery appears to line up with the centerline running thru the west section on the ridge, described earlier. Two 12' wide wagon access roads might have divided the cemetery into four sections each measuring 240' x 240'. Each section would contain 57,600 square feet for a total of 230,400 square feet of burial space. Again, a 2.5' x 8' grave space estimate was used, which allows for a two foot walk between rows. This layout would provide a design capacity of as many as 12,000 adult bodies. At the time the burial space was laid out, the data suggests an estimate of 128 burials per month. At this rate, the space would have a usage period of about 15 years. It is estimated that the cemetery began service on April 1, 1890 and operated for a period of 109 months, ending about April 31, 1899.
In this New Grounds, there appears to have been about 13,465 burials, 112% of its design capacity. The apparent overage is probably the result of the very many fetus, stillborn, infants, and small children buried in less than the space of an adult grave. The overall mathematical average of monthly burial rate in this cemetery section is 123 burials per month.
The existence of this section is well supported by the plat of survey dated November 5 1890, found in the Board of Cook County Commissioner's reports.
The majority of names in the database are those buried between 1890-1899 in this “New Grounds” At least three grave numbering systems have been documented, one for general burials, one for Insane Graves, and one for Baby Graves.
DISCRETE SECTION SIX
COOK COUNTY CEMETERY – AFTER NEW GROUNDS 1899-1912
The burial data suggests that another cemetery section might have been required before the County Farm was sold to the State of Illinois in 1912. In view of bodies found on property later used by New Horizons and the Margaret Durso Building, This might have been a continuation of the platted new grounds, and might have been directly to the north of the well platted NEW GROUNDS. This section is only speculation at this moment.
This section would either be directly adjacent to the northern boundary of the new grounds, or it would be oriented on a center line, 1,650' (100 rods) north of the south line of section 18. But we simply don’t know at this time where the bodies in this time period were buried nor do we know the size. It could be as large as the new grounds 500’ x 500’
At the time the burial space was laid out, the data suggests an estimate of 140 burials per month. At this rate, the space would have a usage period of about 15 years. It is estimated that the cemetery began service about May 1, 1899 and operated for a period of 158 months, ending about July 1, 1912, the date the grounds were sold to the State of Illinois.
In this section, there may have been about 13,632 burials, 113.6% of its design capacity if 500’ x 500’. The apparent overage is probably the result of many fetus, stillborn, infants, and small children buried in less than the space of an adult grave. The overall mathematical average of monthly burial rate in this cemetery section is 86.2 burials per month.
In July of 1912 all poorhouse (infirmary) patients were transferred to a new infirmary facility at Oak Forest. A new Cook County Cemetery – Oak Forest, was established there to bury the county poor. This reduced the burial need at Dunning drastically after July 12, 1912 as the institution was renamed Chicago State Hospital.
DISCRETE SECTION SEVEN
CHICAGO STATE HOSPITAL CEMETERY
First to be used under the ownership of the State of Illinois, It appears to be located directly to the west of the railroad right of way, and just north of the road to the TB hospital and later Sunken Gardens.
It is estimated that the cemetery operated from 1912 to until at least 1922, but possibly or probably sometime into the 1930's. This was a burial location with less activity, burying only the unclaimed patients of the Chicago State Hospital at Dunning. The Aerial photograph taken of the Chicago State Hospital on November 10, 1939 shows what appears to be a well taken care of plot with a center walkway and possibly a monument on its south end. There appears to be an entrance on the SW corner, and possible a small building.
There also appears to be some fencing. The 1930 Uleberg thesis mentions that in a 1916 report, “1,232 feet of ornamental woven wire and iron post fence were placed around the cemetery grounds”. This would encircle about 94,864 square feet or 2.17 acres. The big question is where.
DISCRETE SECTION EIGHT
SUNKEN GARDENS AREA
1980’s 1990’s On more than one occasion, skulls and other human remains were encountered or dug up by young patients at the Adolescent Village, also known as the Henry Horner Children’s Village. This is the former site of the Sunken Garden. Hospital attendants would confiscate these skulls and other bones from the rooms of the patients.
Reference: State of Illinois, Dept Health, Chicago Read-Zone Staff Report prepared Spring 1989 verified 1990, illustrated with "XXX" on map prepared by Dr. Tom James, Internal Review Officer.
These human remains cannot be declared a platted cemetery site at this time, because no records have yet been found that describe platted cemetery land on this location. No size has yet to be determined. . Several theories exist as to the source or original location of these human remains. It is possible that they came from the Chicago State Hospital Cemetery section described above.