Rose Hill IllinoisATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Rose Hill, Illinois.
1. Rosehill Cemetery
HISTORIC VICTORIAN CEMETERY
Rosehill Cemetery, established in 1859, is Chicago's largest cemetery spanning 350 acres with a magnificent Joliet limestone entrance gate designed by William C. Boyington. Visitors can explore self-guided tours highlighting Civil War notables and Chicago's prominent historical figures including fourteen Union generals, Oscar Mayer, and Montgomery Ward. The administration building and entry gate were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and Rosehill was designated a Chicago landmark in 1980.
2. Rosehill Mausoleum
MARBLE AND TIFFANY GLASS
The Rosehill Mausoleum, dedicated in 1914, was designed by architect Sidney Lovell and stands as the largest mausoleum in Chicago. Its interior is constructed almost entirely of marble and features stunning stained glass windows created by Tiffany. Visitors can admire the architectural beauty while exploring this final resting place of many notable Chicagoans.
3. Chicago Water Tower
HISTORIC LIMESTONE LANDMARK
The Chicago Water Tower, designed by the same architect as Rosehill Cemetery's entrance (William W. Boyington), is one of the few surviving structures from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This distinctive limestone structure stands as a symbol of Chicago's resilience and serves as a visitor information center today. The tower's Gothic Revival architecture makes it one of the most photographed landmarks in Chicago.
4. Lincoln Square
CHARMING EUROPEAN-INFLUENCED NEIGHBORHOOD
Lincoln Square, the neighborhood surrounding Rosehill Cemetery, offers a charming European-influenced community with unique shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Visitors can enjoy German heritage sites, independent bookstores, craft breweries, and an eclectic dining scene. The neighborhood hosts popular seasonal events including summer concerts and a Christmas market.
5. Graceland Cemetery
VICTORIAN CEMETERY GARDEN
Graceland Cemetery, often mentioned alongside Rosehill as Chicago's most historic burial grounds, is known for its park-like setting and Victorian-era monuments. Visitors can discover the tranquil beauty while exploring the final resting places of Chicago architects, mayors, and other influential figures. The cemetery's landscaping and notable tombs designed by renowned architects make it both a historical site and a peaceful garden oasis.
6. Stephen A. Douglas Tomb
HISTORIC POLITICAL MONUMENT
The Stephen A. Douglas Tomb and Memorial is located in a scenic park south of downtown Chicago, commemorating the distinguished statesman who famously debated Abraham Lincoln. The 96-foot tall granite structure marks the burial place of Senator Douglas (1813-1861), who played a critical role in pre-Civil War politics. Visitors can learn about Douglas's significant contributions to American political history and his complex relationship with Lincoln.
7. Camp Douglas Site
CIVIL WAR PRISON CAMP
The former site of Camp Douglas was a significant Union Army prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War, connected to stories of those buried in Rosehill Cemetery. Though little remains of the original camp today, historical markers and exhibits throughout Chicago help visitors understand this important aspect of the city's Civil War history. The camp housed thousands of Confederate prisoners and has a complex history involving Chicago's wartime mayor who was charged with (and later acquitted of) helping prisoners escape.
8. Abraham Lincoln Statue
TRIBUTE TO ILLINOIS PRESIDENT
The Abraham Lincoln Statue in Chicago stands as a tribute to the 16th President who called Illinois his home state and whose nomination was supported by many buried at Rosehill. The monument captures Lincoln's thoughtful demeanor and serves as a reminder of his leadership during the Civil War period. Visitors can reflect on Lincoln's legacy while viewing this artistic representation of one of America's most revered presidents.
9. Fort Sheridan
HISTORIC MILITARY BASE
Fort Sheridan, located north of Chicago, is a former United States Army post that has been transformed through adaptive reuse into residential areas while preserving its historical significance. Visitors can explore the fort's remaining structures, including distinctive red-brick buildings designed by renowned architects Holabird & Roche. The site offers beautiful Lake Michigan views and connects to the region's military history that's also commemorated at places like Rosehill Cemetery.
10. Oak Woods Cemetery
CIVIL WAR TO CIVIL RIGHTS
Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago is a Victorian-era cemetery that serves as the final resting place for prominent Chicagoans and Confederate soldiers, complementing the Civil War history preserved at Rosehill. Visitors can explore the cemetery's historical significance through guided tours that trace the journey from Civil War to Civil Rights movements. The cemetery's monuments and layout reflect changing attitudes in American society across generations.
11. Lake Forest Cemetery
HISTORIC SUBURBAN MEMORIAL
Lake Forest Cemetery offers visitors insights into the founding of Lake Forest and the lives of those who made their mark from Civil War to modern times. The cemetery's design and monuments reflect the affluence of the North Shore community while preserving important historical narratives. Visitors can enjoy both the historical significance and the peaceful landscaped grounds overlooking Lake Michigan.
12. Lincoln Tomb
PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL MONUMENT
The Lincoln Tomb, located in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, is the final resting place of President Abraham Lincoln, his wife Mary, and three of their four sons. The impressive 117-foot-tall granite structure serves as a significant memorial to the 16th President whose political rise in Illinois connects to many figures buried at Rosehill Cemetery. Visitors can tour the interior of the tomb featuring bronze sculptures representing Lincoln's life and accomplishments.
13. Rock Island Arsenal Museum
MILITARY HISTORY COLLECTION
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum displays the history of this important military installation and features an extensive collection of small arms related to Illinois' Civil War contributions. Visitors can learn about the arsenal's role during the Civil War period when many soldiers now buried at Rosehill were in service. The museum's exhibits connect to the broader narrative of Illinois' significant military contributions throughout American history.
14. Mound City National Cemetery
CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL GROUNDS
Mound City National Cemetery was established in 1864 when the federal government designated a plot of land near a general hospital to serve as a national cemetery for Union soldiers. The cemetery contains the remains of many Civil War soldiers, similar to those honored at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago. Visitors can pay respects while learning about this important Civil War site in southern Illinois.
15. Thomas Lincoln Cemetery
PRESIDENTIAL FAMILY HERITAGE
Thomas Lincoln Cemetery, previously known as Gordon Graveyard and Shiloh Cemetery, is the final resting place for many Civil War veterans and members of Abraham Lincoln's family. The cemetery offers visitors a connection to the Lincoln family heritage and the rural Illinois communities that shaped America's 16th president. Historical markers provide context about the Lincoln family and their connections to the area before Abraham Lincoln's rise to prominence.