Collection: Bohemian National Cemetery - Chicago

Bohemian National Cemetery was founded in 1877 by eight Bohemian benevolent societies “to provide a suitable burial site for persons of Bohemian birth or extraction.” Ten years later, the cemetery was opened to all nationalities on a nonsectarian basis. John V. Benes laid out the first burial sections in the initial 40 acres using a plan similar to Chicago's street grid. An expansion to the east and south, with graceful curving sections, was mapped in 1902 by August Petrtyl. In 1906 acclaimed landscape architect Jens Jensen designed the 60 acres to the north. Bohemian National Cemetery now encompasses about 124 acres. The entrance has an 1893 Gothic Revival gatehouse, with an adjoining Arts and Crafts style waiting room added in 1907. The Renaissance Revival crematorium/columbarium, with decoration by artist John A. Mallin, was dedicated in 1919. A Classical Revival office building was built in 1926. The cemetery features memorials to veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War, an