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Tales

Tombstones

Tell

October 4, 2024

6:30 pm

Oakwood Cemetery

The Oakwood Cemetery Association was established in

1858. The original cemetery plat, surveyed by Jonathan G.

Vallette, measured 132’ x 330’ and contained 198 lots. Dr.

Joseph and Mary McConnell and Job and Alice Smith

donated the land. There have been two additions to the

cemetery, one in 1881 and the second in 1898. At one time

Oakwood Cemetery’s name was featured on an iron arch

at the York Avenue entrance.

Oakwood Cemetery

WEST

CHICAGO

CITY MUSEUM

CONTACT US

(630) 231-3376

museum@westchicago.org

132 Main St.

West Chicago, IL

www.wegohistory.com

The West Chicago City Museum has recorded and

indexed Oakwood’s tombstone information, which is

available for public use. Tales Tombstones Tell is

sponsored by the West Chicago City Museum and

researched and written by City Museum staff and

volunteers.

More Information

35th Annual

175th Anniversary of

West Chicago

Commiunity

Founded as Junction in 1849, then incorporated as the

Town of Turner, unofficially known as Turner Junction,

we became the Village of West Chicago in 1896.

Exhibit gallery hours are Thurs & Fri 9:30am- 2:30pm and

Saturdays 9:30am-3:30pm.

If you plan to visit the Museum to conduct research,

please contact us to make an appointment.

Additional information about the cemetery can also be

found at www.findagrave.com.

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Special thanks go to:

St. Mary’s Church, Tom Fessler, Fabiola Garcia, Peggy Krauch,

Pam Kramer, Becky Hall, Brad Kimme and all of our interpreters

and musicians.

Introduction music provided by Roger Kotecki,

www.rogerkotecki.org.

Thank you to our business sponsors:

Norris-Segert Funeral Home, Buck Services, Haggerty Ford, and

Rite Way Automotive.

35TH ANNUAL TALES TOMBSTONES TELL

THANK YOU!

Interpreters and Musicians:

Carol Vigsnes, Carol Townsend, Kevin Davis, Maureen

& Jim Navadomskis, Mike Ferguson, Dan Czuba &

Martha DeForest, Beth Carlson & Bob Fotus, Tom

Tawney

SITES:

1 - Introduction

2- Harriette Hills

3- David R. Martin

4 - John Benjamin

5 - Soldiers and Sailors Monument

6 - John Warne Gates

7 - Stranger and Indignent

8 - Frank H. Whitton