Chicago, Illinois: S.S. Eastland Disaster Memorial
100 years after the S.S. Eastland capsized in the Chicago River, killing 844 people, a ship's wheel sinking into a block of granite was erected in the cemetery that has 143 of its victims.
Bohemian National Cemetery
- Address:
- 5255 N. Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL
- Directions:
- Bohemian National Cemetery. North edge of the city. Entrance is on the northbound side of N. Pulaski Rd, just north of its intersection with W. Foster Ave. Big cemetery, ask at the office for directions. In Section 16.
- Hours:
- Gates open daily 7:30-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 773-539-8442
- Admission:
- Free
Visitor Tips and News About S.S. Eastland Disaster Memorial
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
A nautically-themed monument in the Bohemian National Cemetery memorializes the tragedy of the S.S. Eastland, a ship that capsized in the Chicago River in downtown Chicago on July 24, 1915. 134 of the 844 victims of the catastrophe are buried in this cemetery. Most of the victims were of Bohemian descent and worked at Western Electric Hawthorne Works in suburban Cicero. They were going on a company-sponsored boat ride and picnic. The monument was dedicated on July 12, 2015.
[Joseph D. Kubal, 07/17/2015]Nearby Offbeat Places
Assassinated Mayor Cermak Mausoleum, Chicago, IL - < 1 mi.
Cubs Fans Forever Burial Wall, Chicago, IL - < 1 mi.
The Pilgrim: Hooded Statue, Chicago, IL - < 1 mi.Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.
