Graceland Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery is a private cemetery and arboretum on Chicago's North Side, located between Clark Street and Irving Park Road. Established in 1860 by Thomas Bryan, a Chicago lawyer, it received a perpetual charter from the State of Illinois in 1861 and was laid out as a park-like landscape by prominent landscape architect H.W.S. Cleveland, with later design contributions from O.C. Simonds. Originally 80 acres, it expanded to its present size of 119 acres after negotiations with the neighboring town of Lake View. Long known as the "Cemetery of Architects," Graceland is the final resting place of many of the finest architects of the last century, as well as athletes, politicians, industrialists, merchants, inventors, and Underground Railroad activists. It remains an active cemetery and arboretum, offering traditional burial, cremation options, a chapel, genealogy resources, and an online burial search. Although space is limited, a few more Chicago families can still be accommodated, and pre-planning is encouraged. Graceland is also a cultural and historical destination, with guided tours, a self-guided audio tour, an arboretum tree tour, and a photo gallery. Its grounds serve as an oasis of art, architecture, and landscape design, preserving both the history of Chicago and a serene natural environment.

Graceland Cemetery was established in 1860 by Thomas Bryan, a lawyer with a successful Chicago practice. He purchased the original 80 acres and received a perpetual charter from the State of Illinois in 1861. Bryan soon hired prominent landscape architect H.W.S. Cleveland to plan the cemetery's park-like ambiance. With Bryan as president of the cemetery company, many prominent Chicagoans joined the board of managers, including the city's first mayor, real estate entrepreneur William Ogden. Many other wealthy Chicagoans became members and purchased large family lots and "landscape rooms." Originally, Graceland's southern boundary—now Irving Park Road—was two miles outside Chicago's city limits, in the town of Lake View. After some negotiation with the town's residents, Graceland expanded eastward and northwest to encompass its present size of 119 acres. The cemetery was designed by visionary landscape architects, including O.C. Simonds, and has been an oasis of art, architecture, and landscape design since 1860. Long famous as the "Cemetery of Architects," Graceland is the final resting place of many prominent Chicago figures, including athletes, politicians, industrialists, and many of the finest architects of the last century. It is also the resting place of Underground Railroad activists, merchants, inventors, and public figures. Even with all of its 150 years of history, Graceland Cemetery is still an active cemetery and arboretum. It remains a private cemetery and continues to serve Chicago families, offering traditional burial, cremation options, a chapel, genealogy resources, and tours.

• 1861

  Graceland receives a perpetual charter from the State of Illinois.

• 1860

  Graceland Cemetery is established by Thomas Bryan, who purchases the original 80 acres.

• H.W.S. Cleveland is hired to plan the cemetery's park-like ambiance.

• Graceland expands eastward and northwest to its present size of 119 acres after negotiations with the town of Lake View.

• O.C. Simonds contributes to the landscape design.

• Graceland launches a new online burial search and tour feature.

A historic, private, park-like cemetery and arboretum offering a privileged final resting place among Chicago's honored citizens, with a focus on art, architecture, and landscape design.

• Traditional Burial

  Traditional in-ground burial options.

• Cremation Options

  Spaces for cremated remains.

• Chapel

  A chapel for services.

• Genealogy and Burial Search

  Online burial search and genealogical information.

• Tours

  Guided tours, group visits, self-guided audio tour, and arboretum tree tour.

1. 1Graceland Cemetery and Arboretumgracelandcemetery.org
2. 2The Story of Gracelandgracelandcemetery.org
3. 3Cemetery Servicesgracelandcemetery.org