OAKRIDGE / GLEN OAKS CEMETERY
4301 W. Roosevelt Road
Hillside, Illinois 60162
708.344.5600
Established: Circa late 1800's
Acres: 275
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 3 Tombstones
If you are confused in regard to the name of this cemetery, so were we! A call to the establishment's office hooked us up with a manager who informed us that this apparent trinity of burying grounds has always been one cemetery but has more recently come under the same management umbrella, thus, the con-joined names. This information strikes us as dubious, at best, and is even more suspect as the manager could not give a firm date of establishment, but merely replied "late 1800's" in answer to our query.
It appears to us that Oakridge (encompassing Oakridge and Jewish Oakridge) was, at one time, a separate entity from Glen Oaks and that the adjacent properties now share roadways in such a manner that it is difficult to ascertain at which point the borders may once have been established between the two graveyards.
Whatever the cemetery's history, there's not much on the grounds to recommend a visit save for those who wish to pay their respects at the grave of Chester A. Burnett, better known as the 6 foot 6 inch, 300 pound, "Howlin' Wolf" of Blues music fame. Others may wish to see monuments to "The Show Folks of America," as well as Mason's Rest, the International Order of Oddfellows stone, the Italian Masons memorial and the section of the cemetery known as Jewish Oakridge with its rows of identical red granite stones.
Glen Oak community mausoleum, on the east side of the property, was not open the times we stopped by, however, its imposing cousin, Oakridge Abbey, has been the object of several delightful Bella Morte visits and is the reason we give this location a three tombstone rating.
Opened in 1928, the Abbey is touted by cemetery management as "a poem in marble and bronze" and the world's only "compartment mausoleum built on the cruciform plan.
Upon entering the Abbey, one encounters columbaria with glass-front niches just outside the chapel. The chapel itself is captivating, resting as it does beneath an expansive arch of stained glass which admits the soft glow of natural, filtered light. Edgar Miller's beautiful art glass "Lady of Eternity" keeps watch over her domain from her place behind the marble altar. Lining the nave of the chapel are large stone pillars beyond which lie numerous interment chambers, each comprising ten burial vaults.
The remainder of the Abbey features red-carpeted marble hallways flanked on each side by gated crypt rooms, our favourite of which is that belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Otto Pelikan. Inside, a bare-breasted marble faerie stands delicately before colourful stained glass windows, her raised left hand posed to open a small urn. One either side of her rest the ornate tombs of Ruth Lila and Otto Pelikan. Above them, etched letters gilt in gold proclaim "Seventh Heaven." Indeed. We wish nothing less for this obviously loving couple. Incidentally, someone tends this tomb with care as each time we have visited, a fresh red rose has been laid atop each Pelikan crypt.
Oddly, though parts of the Abbey are splendidly kept, others seem sub-standard, to say the least. It is our hope that the damage to some of the marble, as well as the neatly arranged cremains we found shelved behind certain of the gated crypt room's thick velvet curtains, were indicative not of neglect, but of renovations to the property which were underway at the time of our last visit.
When in Hillside, Oakridge Abbey simply must be included in your list of places to see. And, as they are only half a block away, please don't miss Queen of Heaven and Mount Carmel as well.
{G}
4301 W. Roosevelt Road
Hillside, Illinois 60162
708.344.5600
Established: Circa late 1800's
Acres: 275
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 3 Tombstones
If you are confused in regard to the name of this cemetery, so were we! A call to the establishment's office hooked us up with a manager who informed us that this apparent trinity of burying grounds has always been one cemetery but has more recently come under the same management umbrella, thus, the con-joined names. This information strikes us as dubious, at best, and is even more suspect as the manager could not give a firm date of establishment, but merely replied "late 1800's" in answer to our query.
It appears to us that Oakridge (encompassing Oakridge and Jewish Oakridge) was, at one time, a separate entity from Glen Oaks and that the adjacent properties now share roadways in such a manner that it is difficult to ascertain at which point the borders may once have been established between the two graveyards.
Whatever the cemetery's history, there's not much on the grounds to recommend a visit save for those who wish to pay their respects at the grave of Chester A. Burnett, better known as the 6 foot 6 inch, 300 pound, "Howlin' Wolf" of Blues music fame. Others may wish to see monuments to "The Show Folks of America," as well as Mason's Rest, the International Order of Oddfellows stone, the Italian Masons memorial and the section of the cemetery known as Jewish Oakridge with its rows of identical red granite stones.
Glen Oak community mausoleum, on the east side of the property, was not open the times we stopped by, however, its imposing cousin, Oakridge Abbey, has been the object of several delightful Bella Morte visits and is the reason we give this location a three tombstone rating.
Opened in 1928, the Abbey is touted by cemetery management as "a poem in marble and bronze" and the world's only "compartment mausoleum built on the cruciform plan.
Upon entering the Abbey, one encounters columbaria with glass-front niches just outside the chapel. The chapel itself is captivating, resting as it does beneath an expansive arch of stained glass which admits the soft glow of natural, filtered light. Edgar Miller's beautiful art glass "Lady of Eternity" keeps watch over her domain from her place behind the marble altar. Lining the nave of the chapel are large stone pillars beyond which lie numerous interment chambers, each comprising ten burial vaults.
The remainder of the Abbey features red-carpeted marble hallways flanked on each side by gated crypt rooms, our favourite of which is that belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Otto Pelikan. Inside, a bare-breasted marble faerie stands delicately before colourful stained glass windows, her raised left hand posed to open a small urn. One either side of her rest the ornate tombs of Ruth Lila and Otto Pelikan. Above them, etched letters gilt in gold proclaim "Seventh Heaven." Indeed. We wish nothing less for this obviously loving couple. Incidentally, someone tends this tomb with care as each time we have visited, a fresh red rose has been laid atop each Pelikan crypt.
Oddly, though parts of the Abbey are splendidly kept, others seem sub-standard, to say the least. It is our hope that the damage to some of the marble, as well as the neatly arranged cremains we found shelved behind certain of the gated crypt room's thick velvet curtains, were indicative not of neglect, but of renovations to the property which were underway at the time of our last visit.
When in Hillside, Oakridge Abbey simply must be included in your list of places to see. And, as they are only half a block away, please don't miss Queen of Heaven and Mount Carmel as well.
{G}
