Bohemian National Cemetery (Chicago)

Bohemian National Cemetery (Czech: Český národní hřbitov [t͡ʃɛskiː naːrodɲiː ɦr̝bɪtof]) is a cemetery at 5255 North Pulaski Road on the north side of Chicago, Illinois.

Bohemian National Cemetery
Entrance to Bohemian National Cemetery
LocationChicago, Illinois
Built1877 (1877)
NRHP reference No.06000374[1]
Added to NRHP2006[1]

History
Tomb of Anton Cermak in Section 21

The cemetery was established by members of Chicago's Czech community in 1877.[2] The community had been outraged when a Czech Catholic woman named Marie Silhanek was denied burial at several Catholic cemeteries in Chicago because she supposedly never made her Easter Duty (going to confession and Holy Communion at least once during the Easter season), which is incumbent on all Catholics, even today.[3] In response, the Czechs purchased land in what was then Jefferson Township to create a cemetery that they themselves could control.[4] The original plot of land was 50 acres (200,000 m2). Over the years, the cemetery expanded to 126 acres (0.51 km2).[5]

The cemetery was notably featured in the 1998 film U.S. Marshals.[6] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.[1]

Major features
Crematorium building

Bohemian National Cemetery is known for its limestone gatehouse[7] and its highly decorated columbarium niches, which contain photographs, artwork, flags, and other mementos of the individuals whose ashes are stored there.[2] Czech-American military veterans are honored through an American Civil War memorial, a Spanish–American War memorial, and a World Wars memorial, which were dedicated in 1889, 1926, and 1952, respectively.[2] The cemetery also boasts two sculptures by Albin Polasek, who headed the sculpture department at the Art Institute of Chicago. They are called Mother and Pilgrim.[8]

Notable interments

Chicago Cubs columbarium
Chicago Cubs columbarium

In 2009, the cemetery added a columbarium specially dedicated to Chicago Cubs fans.[14] The structure is a replica of Wrigley Field's red brick wall, with a stained glass image of the stadium's scoreboard and a yellow 400 foot (120 m) marker. The wall contains 288 niches, and seats from Wrigley Field have been placed along its base. A Cubs fan named Dennis Mascari helped raise funds for the project in hopes of making visits to the cemetery less depressing. The cemetery agreed to let him build the columbarium on their grounds, but nixed a plan to broadcast Cubs games through a nearby speaker. The Cubs themselves were not directly involved with the project; Mascari worked with Eternal Images, which makes baseball-themed funerary products.[14]

References
  1. Illinois–Cook County. National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved on January 25, 2010.
  2. Hucke, Matte; Bielski, Ursula (1999). Graveyards of Chicago. Chicago: Lake Claremont Press. pp. 53–62. ISBN 978-0964242647.
  3. Saunders, Fr. William (2005). "Easter Duty". Arlington Catholic Herald – via Catholic Education Resource Center.
  4. Rotzoli, Brenda Warner. "Offbeat Chicago – Outrage led to Bohemian cemetery". Chicago Sun-Times. December 8, 1996. p. 30.
  5. "Mark Bohemian Cemetery's 75 Years Sunday". Chicago Tribune. September 18, 1952. p. N E4. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Shenfeld, Hilary. "Top dog's back; And 'U.S. Marshals' is pumped with Snipes and Downey signing on". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights. March 6, 1998. p. 25.
  7. Caputo, Angela. "Landmark status sought for Bohemian cemetery". Chicago Sun-Times. March 15, 2006. p. 24.
  8. Achenbaum, Emily S. (May 12, 2008). "Mother's Day tribute puts a favorite statue in spotlight". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Judge Kerner rites attended by legal heads". Chicago Tribune. December 18, 1952. p. B4. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Eight Little Girls Bear Slain Playmate's Body to Grave". Chicago Examiner. May 12, 1911. p. 2. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via NewspaperArchive.
  11. McNett, Gavin. "'Henry Darger: In the Realms of the Unreal' by John M. MacGregor" (review). Salon. July 23, 2002. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  12. "Throngs attend burial rites for Chas. J. Vopicka". Chicago Tribune. September 8, 1935. p. 22. Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Loerzel, Robert (August 25, 2010). "The Girls of Murder City by Douglas Perry". Chicago. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  14. Drehs, Wayne. "For some fans, Cubs are an undying love". ESPN Chicago. April 23, 2009. Retrieved on January 25, 2010.
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