Did you know the John Hancock building is built upon the site of an early burying ground? The North Side Cemetery, surveyed in 1835, included a portion of prime North Michigan Avenue real estate including the Hancock Building and Water Tower Place.
As early as 1897, the Chicago Tribune printed an article entitled:
“City built on Graves – Chicago buildings stand upon sites of old cemeteries…the structures of the downtown district cover unnumbered dead.” And on October 7, 1900 the Chicago Tribune printed the story “Forgotten Graveyards of Chicago – Beautiful Homes built over the tombs of departed Pioneers”
How about a saloon license issued to a cemetery? An elevator in a cemetery? These and many more surprises await you in upcoming blogs.
Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries 