Cemeteries of Illinois: A Field Guide to Markers, Monuments, and Motifs

by Hal Hassen, Dawn Cobb

Illinois is home to cemeteries and burial grounds dating back to the Native American era. Whether sprawling over thousands of acres or dotting remote woodlands, these treasure troves of local and state history reflect two centuries of social, economic, and technological change.

This easy-to-use guidebook invites amateur genealogists, historians, and cemetery buffs to decipher the symbols and uncover the fascinating past awaiting them in Illinois's resting places. Hal Hassen and Dawn Cobb have combined almost three hundred photographs with expert detail to showcase how cemeteries and burial grounds can teach us about archaeology, folklore, art, geology, and social behavior. Features include:
- the ways different materials used as gravestones and markers reflect historical trends;
- how to understanding the changes in the use of iconographic images;
- the story behind architectural features like fencing, roads, and gates;
- what enthusiasts can do to preserve local cemeteries for future generations.

Captivating and informed, Cemeteries of Illinois is the only guide you need to unlock the mysteries of our state's final resting places.

Genres: Travel, History

208 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2017

Reviews

[Carolyn Di Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Tons of interesting facts.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite cemetery book. It covers the history of burial in the state of Illinois from the Mound Builders to the modern lawn cemeteries. Along the way, it defines the different materials for marking graves, explores gravestone iconography, and is generally to cemeteries what the Audubon Guide is to birds. This is a perfect beginner book, even if you don't live in Illinois. It would be a perfect textbook for a cemetery history class.

The only issue one might have with the book is that while it contains almost 300 full-color photos, they are purely snapshots, not artwork. I didn't find that a drawback, but then I have a couple hundred cemetery books, many of them focusing on the artistry of cemetery landscaping and sculpture. This book serves as a nice companion to those.

I bought it on the basis of a glowing review in the Association for Gravestone Studies Quarterly. It did not disappoint.

[GrandpaBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly fascinating and quick read of an aspect of American history, especially Illinois history, that I had never considered: burial grounds and cemeteries (there is a difference). Book provides discusses the geology, socio-economic, and art encompassed by burial grounds and cemeteries. The Rural Cemetery movement discussed in the book resulted in the vast majority of cemeteries that we have all experienced.