The dead buried in Forest Park, Illinois (population 14,300) have been estimated at over 600,000 souls , possibly as much as one million, most of which are in one of three Waldheim cemeteries. Also in Forest Park is Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Altenheim, and Woodlawn Cemetery.
There are thousands of Cook County deaths certificates simply marked “Waldheim” (German for forest home). If you are doing your family genealogy and run into one of these death certificates, you may be unsure as to which Waldheim is your correct one. It is a question I get often.
The answer is even more complex than the title of this story. There are basically three cemeteries BUT actually over 270 separate burial grounds, that can be considered Waldheim., all in Forest Park, Let me explain.
German Waldheim Cemetery Company
(Merged with 170 acre Forest Home Cemetery Co. on November 25 1968, which was just south of German Waldheim originally owned by the Haase family)
Both Cemeteries had separate imposing entrance gates on Des Plaines Ave. Forest Home had an entrance at 1015 S. Des Plaines and German Waldheim had an entrance at 863 S. Des Plaines.
German Waldheim is the oldest of the two German cemeteries, organized in 1873 originally on 80 acres along the Des Plaines River. A steel truss bridge connects to a section west of the river.
The site was originally a Pottowatomi Indian village and burial ground which was used up until about 1835.. German Waldheim was first begun as an organized cemetery in 1866 by Ferdinand Haase, on land part of his Hasse estate and Haase Park, a popular picnic grove.. The Haase Family burials began about 1854 well before the formal organization of the cemetery.
German Waldheim was incorporated March 13, 1873 with lots offered at $25 each , $15 for stockholders . Each lot had space for ten burials. A few of the early German societies and groups included the Druids, Odd Fellows, German Society, German Altenheim, Sons of Hermann, Musicians Union, Saint Peter’s German Lutheran Church, and many others.
Forest Home Cemetery Company
There were Indian burials as recent as 1835 but the cemetery was Incorporated in 1876 and platted in 1878 on 170 acres. (now over 250 acres after being combined with with German Waldheim)
The entrance to Forest Home merged with German Waldheim is currently at 863 South Des Plaines but a large main gate was the original entrance located at 1015 South Des Plaines.
When Forest home merged with German Waldheim in 1968, the entrance was consolidated with Waldheim at 863 S. Des Plaines. Both Forest Home’s and German Waldheim’s stone gates were torn down long ago
.
Forest home grew to over twelve miles of roadway. In winter, a wheeled snow plow pulled by four or six strong horses cleared the cemetery roadways and up to six miles of road toward Chicago.
The cemetery had a large visitors waiting room. It also had built one of the largest temporary receiving vaults in the country. It was connected to an ice house to preserve the bodies in storage.
Past cemetery rules at Forest Home included the following:
“Only lot owners with admission tickets allowed in the cemetery on Sundays. No person, except owners, were allowed to walk over, sit on, or lie down on the grass. No horses could be left by the driver unfastened. Bathing and fishing in the river was prohibited. Picnic parties were not admitted to the grounds.”
Jewish Waldheim
Jewish Waldheim is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in the world, a patchwork of over of over 258 separate burying grounds within more than 350 acres, most had or still have a separate gate or divider,as well as a name, and number. This large complex has with different owners, rules, regulations, prices and appearance. There are now over 175,000 burials, possibly approaching 200,000.
Jewish Waldheim Cemetery began about 1870 and consists of:
Cemeteries No. 1-33 on west side of Desplaines Ave. starting at Roosevelt Road and
going South.
Cemeteries No. 34-62 on east side of Desplaines Ave. starting at Greenberg Road
and going North.
Cemeteries No. 63-83 are entered from Roosevelt Road west of Desplaines Ave.
Cemeteries No. 84-129 are entered through Greenberg Rd., west of the railroad tracks,
via Desplaines Ave.
Cemeteries No. 200 and up are entered from Harlem Ave at the 18th Street entrance.
Jewish Waldheim was farmland before 1870. The Free Sons ongregation bought the first piece of land followed by the Bickur Cholem lodge. Soon many more Jewish organizations and temples purchased land here, resulting in over hundreds of cemetery sections.
Each cemetery represented various Chicago family groups, synagogues, vereins (support organization), landsmanshaften, fraternal organizations, or Zionist organizations. each with their own gate number and history. (see list at bottom of this article)
Jewish Waldheim was founded during the second wave of Jewish immigration to Chicago in the late-19th century, the newly arrived Jewish immigrants created in their new communities religious, educational, and fraternal organizations.
With immigrants insisting on their own Jewish cemeteries, these groups eagerly looked for a cemetery to sell its members plots in their own special created sections. Jewish Waldheim was unique in that all the separate cemeteries had different owners, prices, rules, regulations and individual caretakers. These sections were at one time also rigidly divided by gated fences, and ornate entrances and dividers some of which still remain today.
Some were identified by a unique gate or arch, many very elaborate in brick or wrought iron. Over the years, many of the physical gates have been removed or suffered damage from the elements. Some of the more elaborate brick arches have been damaged by severe winter weather and have either been removed or are in need of repair.
The people buried here, for the most part, represent the amazing and touching stories of Jewish emigrants who discovered the old Maxwell Street neighborhood as a gateway to a new world of freedom and unlimited opportunity.
Chicago once had the third largest Jewish population of any city in the world. By 1930 there were 300,000 Jews representing 9% of the population. They came primarily from Germany, Poland, Russia and Eastern Europe to seek a better life.
In just Chicago, some 700 diverse groups including congregations, verein’s, social organizations, family groups, and cousin’s clubs served some 100,000 members. They offered mutual aid, such as securing rail and ship tickets for new arrivals. They assisted with loans, supported the sick and unemployed. Most held monthly meetings, often in a rented hall where members could meet old friends and share kosher refreshments. , There was also matchmaking, picnics, celebrations and banquets.
Their most solemn task was to bury their dead. Tombstones reflect the diverse Jewish population with inscriptions in Yiddish, Hebrew, German, English, Portugese, and Ladino.
Limited space and lax restrictions caused most graves to be very close together. Financial limitations and groups that have since ceased to operate resulted in a gradual deterioration over the years
UNTERSTUETZUNG on many of the gates, simply translates to: “support association”. Those with “Anshe” within the name were groups were formed within a particular synagogue.
At the bottom of this story is a gate list showing the synagogues and the many organizations that own, have owned or had a connection to a specific cemetery gate within Jewish Waldheim. The original gate information is credited to the Piser cemetery guide, but I have now augmented the gate list with information from my research.
Please note that there are many conflicts in the information for several reasons, First: many of the groups had multiple name changes as they evolved over the years. Second: translation from Yiddish or Russian caused many spelling variations. Third: there are a few gates that were shared by two or more cooperating organizations or shuls. Fourth:, some congregations merged with another causing a name change to either the combined congregation and/or the gate.
For all these reasons, use the following gate index at the bottom of this article with some caution. Know that changes and corrections may follow.
Most of the organizations that bravely began in the Maxwell Street neighborhood have sadly ceased to exist. Families migrated south, west, north into newer Chicago neighborhoods and then later into the suburbs. Because many of the descendants were now at a distance, support and visitation decreased. As a result, Waldheim has had to fend for itself, enduring diminished financial support and upkeep.
As is all the other cemeteries in Chicago, the three Waldheim’s reveal our history and tells us who we are. A cemetery is a wonderful classroom where we can learn about our ancestors, Chicago history, and ourselves.
If you have family in any one of these three cemeteries or you simply find this article interesting, please leave a comment below
You can also reach me by email at bartonius84@hotmail.com
You may also enjoy some of the other stories I have on this free website:
Why are Cemeteries where they are? – Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries
Airplanes and Cemeteries don’t mix! – Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries
here is the list of 268 Jewish Waldheim gates:
| 1 | Anshe Kanesses Israel – Suwalki Organization of Chicago No. 3; | |
| 2 | Gomel Chesed Shel Emes No. 3 (West Side) | |
| 3 | Independent Order Bickur Cholem U’Kadisha No. 1 | |
| 4 | Rodfei Zedeck | |
| 5 | B’nai Ruven, Anshe Maxin No. 1; | |
| 6 | Russ-Poland No. 1; Anshe Russian Keneseth Israel | |
| 7 | Congregation Beth Sholom Anshe Kroz No. 1 | |
| 7 | Laghishoner Congregation sharing entrance with Congregation Beth Sholom Anshe Kroz | |
| 8 | Shomer Hadas No. 3 (Chevra) | |
| 9 | Anshe Maariv | |
| 10 | B’nai Itzchok | |
| 11 | Mishna Gemorra | |
| 12 | Gomel Chesed Shel Emes No. 2 (West Side) | |
| 13 | Tiphereth Zion Congregation (Lincoln St. Shule) | |
| 14 | Austro-Galician Anshe Sephardic Congregation later known as A.G. Beth Israel | |
| 15 | B’nai Moishe Congregation | |
| 16 | Anshe Kanesses Israel Suwalk (Lithuania) No. 2 | |
| 17 | Dobrzinsker Aid and Rellief Sociey; Dobrzinsker Cemetery Association; Dorshe Tov Congregation | |
| 18 | I.W.S.O. (Independent Western Star Order) | |
| 19 | Gomel Chesed Shel Emes No. 1 (West Side) | |
| 20 | Kalvaria Aid Society; Anshe Kalavaria Congregation | |
| 21 | Shomer Hadas No. 2 (Chevra) | |
| 22 | Austro-Hungarian Kranken Untersteitzung Verein (Chicago Covenant Aid) | |
| 22 | Chicago Covenant Aid Society; Austro-Hungarian Kranken Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 23 | Sons And Daughters Of Jacob | |
| 24 | B’nai Israel | |
| 25 | Anshe Kanesses Israel and Suwalk No. 1; | |
| 26 | Beth Hamedrosh Hacdash U’B’nai Jacob, Anshe Luknik | |
| 27 | Anshe Emet Synagogue | |
| 28 | Congregation Moses Montifiore | |
| 29 | Ohava Amuno | |
| 30 | Independent Order Bickur Cholem U’Kadisha No. 1 | |
| 31 | Free Sons Of Israel, Old | |
| 32 | Shomer Shabbos | |
| 33 | Atereth Israel (Tiktin No. 2) | |
| 33 | Ticktin No. 2 (Atereth Israel) | |
| 34 | Knesses Israel Congregation | |
| 35 | Ezras Israel Anshe Motele Congregation; First Motele Untersteitzung Verein of Chicago | |
| 36 | Knights Of Joseph (O.K.O.J.) | |
| 36 | Order Knights Of Joseph (O.K.O.J.); Nieziner Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 37 | P.O.W. (Progressive Order Of The West); Voliner Branch #251 | |
| 38 | A | Naroditcher Congregation K.I.N.S.; Naroditcher Untersteitzung Verein |
| 38 | Nusach Sfaard | |
| 39 | Shavel-Yanover | |
| 40 | Anshe Motola | |
| 41 | A | Portuguese |
| 41 | C | North West Hebrew Congregation |
| 41 | B’nai Moishe Alexandrovsky Benefit Aid Society | |
| 41 | Yavner Progrssive Verein; Anshe Yavno Congregation | |
| 42 | A | Gomel Chesed Shel Emes (Northwest Side) |
| 42 | Workmen’s Circle; Bieltzerkover Branch #541 | |
| 43 | Free Sons Of Israel, New | |
| 44 | Mt. Nebo (South Side Hebrew Congregation) | |
| 44 | South Side Hebrew Congregation (Mt. Nebo) | |
| 45 | Kovner Verein Branch #304 W.C.; Ohel Jacob Anshe Kovno Congregation | |
| 46 | Emanuel Congregation | |
| 47 | A | Drohitchin Branch #294, Labor Zionists |
| 47 | A | Jewish National Workers Alliance (Farband Labor Zionist Organization) ;Cudnow Branch #187 (Labor Zionists) |
| 47 | B | Mt. Zion |
| 47 | C | Jewish Peoples Fraternal Order Cemetery formerly I.W.O. (International Workers Order) |
| 47 | B’nai Abraham Zion (Oak Park Temple) | |
| 48 | Drohitchen Verein | |
| 49 | Machzicki Hadas | |
| 50 | A | Lebovitcher No. 2 |
| 50 | Zkan Aaron | |
| 51 | Warsaw Beneficial Association Cemetery | |
| 52 | Wilner No. 1; Congregation Mikro Kodesh Anshe Wilno; Vilna United Aid Society | |
| 53 | Warsaw Progressive Lodge #564 I.O.B.A. (Independent Order Brith Abraham) | |
| 54 | Order Brith Abraham ( O.B.A.) | |
| 55 | First Roumanian Congregation Anshe S’fard | |
| 56 | Lebovitcher No. 1 | |
| 57 | Beth Hamedrosh U’B’nai Jacob; Anshe Luknik; Lukniker Verein | |
| 58 | Ticktin No. 1; Tiktiner Aid Society | |
| 59 | Dr. Herzl Kranken Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 60 | Star Of The West | |
| 61 | Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation | |
| 62 | Chicago Covenant Aid Society (New Hungarian) | |
| 62 | New Hungarian (Chicago Convenant Aid Society) | |
| 63 | Poale Zedeck Union Street/Clinton and Judd | |
| 64 | Worner sharing with Bleiweiss Benefit Society | |
| 65 | Retchitzer Province Aid Society | |
| 65 | Rezinoier Progressive Verein | |
| 66 | Bereziner Untersteitzung Verein (Bereziner Adjacent Benefit Association) | |
| 66 | Beth Aaron Congregation | |
| 67 | Cousin’s Club | |
| 68 | Congregation Beth Sholom Anshe Kroz No. 2 | |
| 68 | Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (4 Cem. Gates) | |
| 69 | Leenas Hatzedeck (Section 4 And 5) | |
| 70 | Polloner | |
| 71 | Fastover American Progressive Aid Society | |
| 72 | Anshe Antipole B’nai Moishe Lieb Congregation; Antipoler Aid Society | |
| 73 | Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (One of four Cemetery Gates) | |
| 74 | Divinsker Progressive Verein; American Brotherhood of Dvinsk | |
| 75 | Ezras Naduchim | |
| 75 | Russ-Poland No. 2; Anshe Russian Keneseth Israel | |
| 76 | Nashelesker Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 77 | Mlaver Relif Society; Mlaver Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 78 | Kielcer Aid Society | |
| 79 | Lutzker Rayoner Society | |
| 80 | Agudas B’nai Eretz Israel | |
| 81 | Stuchiner Social Society | |
| 82 | Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (4 Cem. Gates) | |
| 83 | Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (4 Cem. Gates) | |
| 84 | Ahavas Achim | |
| 85 | Beth Israel | |
| 86 | M.S. Cemetery Association Division E | |
| 87 | A | Kesher Israel |
| 87 | M.S. Cemetery Association Division F | |
| 88 | Racianzer Jewish Relief Association of Chicago | |
| 89 | Leenas Hatzedeck (Section 1 And 2) | |
| 90 | Temple Judea | |
| 91 | Anshe Odessa Conregation; Odessa Untersteitzung Verein No. 2; Anshe Zhitomer-Volin Congregation | |
| 91 | Zhitomer Progressive Verein; Anshe Zhitomer-Volin Congregation | |
| 92 | B’nai Sholom Congregation | |
| 92 | Pultusker-Srotzker | |
| 92 | Wilner No. 2 (Front) Progressive | |
| 93 | Independent Progress | |
| 94 | Independent Cemetery Association | |
| 95 | Beth Tfilla | |
| 96 | Zhitomer Progressive Verein; Anshe Zhitomer-Volin Congregation | |
| 97 | Anshe Chodokov Congregation | |
| 98 | American Brotherhood Of Moghileff Cemetery Association | |
| 99 | Woronowitzer – Workosilkover Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 100 | Pavolitch Untersteitzung Verein No. 1; Sokolover Ladies Aid Society | |
| 101 | Sokolover | |
| 102 | B’nai Ruven, Anshe Maxin No. 2; | |
| 103 | Wilner No. 2 (Back) Vilna Sisters | |
| 104 | Stoloner Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 105 | Atereth Israel Congregation | |
| 106 | A | Ahavas Achim Congregation (1236 N.Claremont Ave.) |
| 106 | B | Skverar Social Verein American Sokolover Independent Verein |
| 106 | Sokolover American Ind. Verein | |
| 107 | South Chicago Bickur Cholem Congregation | |
| 108 | B’nai Judea | |
| 109 | Ostrover No. 1 | |
| 110 | A | Ostrover No. 2 |
| 110 | Makarover (B’nai Jacob Anshe Shalom); B’nai Jacob Makarover Congregation | |
| 111 | Independent Lomzer Society | |
| 112 | Independent Chomsker Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 113 | First Maramorasher Kranken Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 114 | Independent Michael Halperin | |
| 115 | Independent Satinover Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 116 | Agudath Jacob | |
| 117 | Lahishiner (Lohishiner)Verein; Anshe Lahishin Nusach Sfard Delibashon Congregation | |
| 118 | American Progressive Society (Poland) | |
| 119 | Moor Chaim Congregation | |
| 120 | Ostrover No. 3 | |
| 121 | Goldman Lodge | |
| 121 | Mozir Progressive Verein | |
| 122 | Anshe Antipole B’nai Moishe Lieb Congregation | |
| 123 | Anshe Odessa Conregation; Odessa Untersteitzung Verein No. 1 | |
| 124 | Hebrew Progressive Benevolent Association | |
| 125 | Anshe Yanover Congregation; Yanoverr Progressive Verein | |
| 126 | Boslover | |
| 127 | Kurlander Aid Society Cemetery Association; Gegenseitiger Untersteitzung Verein Der Kurlander | |
| 128 | Englewood, 1St Englewood Congregation | |
| 129 | Congregation Anshe Pinsk; Congregation Mikro Kodesh Anshe Lida-Pinsk | |
| 200 | Kishinover-Bessarabier Aid Society | |
| 201 | First Galician Aid Society; Anshe Galicia Congregation | |
| 202 | Peryslaverr Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 203 | Proskurover Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 204 | Beth Itzchok Of Albany Park Congregation | |
| 205 | Beth Abraham Congregation | |
| 206 | Anshe Pavolitch Congregation #2 (The dissenters) | |
| 207 | Anshe Zedeck Congregation 19 O’Brien | |
| 208 | Novy Dworer Verein | |
| 209 | B’nai Israel Congregation | |
| 210 | Trestiner Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 211 | Chatiner/Choitner Bessarabian Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 212 | Kishnover Cemetery Association; Kishnover Relief Society | |
| 213 | Klimentover and Bessarabier Aid Society; City of Klimentov Aid Society | |
| 214 | City Of Klimentow Aid Society | |
| 215 | Independent Stashever Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 216 | Zemach Zedeck Congregation 1439 N Talman | |
| 217 | Telzer Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 218 | Staroduber Benevolent And Cultural Association | |
| 219 | Beth Joseph Of South Shore Congregation | |
| 220 | Breziner Adjacent Benefit Association | |
| 221 | Kovner Verein Branch #304 W.C.; Ohel Jacob Anshe Kovno Congregation | |
| 222 | Bendiner Umgegund Verein (Bendiner Benefit Society) | |
| 223 | Adath B’nai Israel Tomche Shabbos, Congregation | |
| 223 | Tomche Shabbos Congregation | |
| 224 | Anshe Dorom Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol (See Rodfei Shalom) | |
| 224 | Rodfei Sholom Oir Chodosh Congregation | |
| 225 | First Krinker Aid Society; B’nai Israel | |
| 226 | Atereth Zion Congregation | |
| 227 | Prushnitzer Friendship Association | |
| 228 | United Pavolitcher Society | |
| 229 | Independent Ladizinker United Verein; Breziner Adjacent Association | |
| 230 | A | B’nai Bezalel Congregation |
| 230 | Dubover Ternifker Verein | |
| 231 | Brusilover Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 232 | Shavler Progressive Society | |
| 233 | Kadaner (Keidaner) United Verein; Brith Abraham Shimen Anshe Keidan | |
| 234 | Dinovitzer and Podoler Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 235 | Lukow Mezritcher And Vicinity Society; Lukover Society | |
| 236 | Goldfaden Landsmanship Farband | |
| 237 | Jewish National Workers Alliance (Labor Zionist Order) | |
| 238 | Pinsker Independent Society; Pinsker Umgegund Society | |
| 239 | Loghishiner Cemetery Association | |
| 240 | Anshe Pinsk Congregation | |
| 241 | Rezistchever Benefit Society | |
| 242 | Chenstochower Neighborhood Education Society | |
| 243 | Hebrew Workers Sick Benefit Society | |
| 244 | Chenstochower Independent Verein | |
| 246 | Plinsker Umgegund Society | |
| 247 | Korostishever Branch No. 195 J.N.W.A.; Congregation Anshe Korostichhever | |
| 248 | A | Anshe Emet Synagogue |
| 248 | B | Locker Family Circle |
| 248 | Ahavas Israel Congregation | |
| 249 | A | El-Or Memorial |
| 249 | Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society | |
| 250 | New Beaconfield American Lodge No. 648 | |
| 250 | Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society | |
| 251 | Korostishever Branch No. 195 J.N.W.A.; Congregation Anshe Korostichhever | |
| 251 | Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society | |
| 252 | Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society | |
| 253 | Tiktiner Relief Society | |
| 254 | Sudilkov Shepetovker Relief Society | |
| 255 | Lev Someach And Rabbi Henach Tversky Congregation | |
| 255 | Rabbi Henach Tversky And Lev Someach Congregation | |
| 256 | Brest-Litovsk And Province Aid Society | |
| 257 | Semiaticher Verein | |
| 258 | Breziner Lodge Independent Order Bickur Cholim; Independent Breziner Society | |
| 259 | Beth Hamedrash Hagodol (Albany Park Hebrew Congregation) | |
| 260 | Independent Minsker Aid Society Cemetery | |
| 261 | Chicago Kletsker Aid Society; | |
| 262 | B’nai Moishe Ekaterinoslaver Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 263 | Vinitzer Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 264 | Anshe Emet Of Englewood Congregation 6124 S May | |
| 265 | Zhiditshover Cemetery Association; Zhiditshover Progressive Verein | |
| 266 | Independent Austrian Aid Society | |
| 266 | Zhiditshover Cemetery Association; Zhiditshover Progressive Verein | |
| 267 | Zhiditshover Cemetery Association; Zhiditshover Progressive Verein | |
| 268 | Slutzker And Vicinity Association; Slutzker Hebrew Aid Society | |
| 269 | Keltzer Progressive Society | |
| 270 | Gornystopoler-Ivankover and Umgegund Society | |
| 271 | Rovner Rayoner Independent Society (Galicia) | |
| 272 | Prager Warsawer Benevolent Association | |
| 273 | Independent Beldzer Bessarabier Society | |
| 274 | Lubliner American Society | |
| 275 | Roumanian Jewish Cemetery Association | |
| 276 | B’nai Yakov, Congregation | |
| 277 | Pogrebishter Society Progrressive | |
| 278 | Kiever Progressive Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 279 | White Plain Anshe Shude Loven Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 280 | Ozeraner Dubner Aid Society | |
| 281 | Warsaw Congregation Cemetery Association | |
| 282 | Ovrucher United Verein | |
| 283 | Independent Kiever Sick and Benefit Association; United Kiever Verein Cemetery | |
| 284 | Original Demievker-Kiever Society | |
| 285 | Demievker Kiever Society | |
| 286 | Chabner Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 287 | Slavaticher-Domachever Verein | |
| 288 | Southwestern Jewish Cemetery Association | |
| 289 | Soroka -Bessarabian Benevolent Society | |
| 290 | Bazarer Prog. Untersteitzung Verein | |
| 300 | General Section Of Jewish Woodlawn | |
| 301 | Masonic Section |
Chicago and Cook County Cemeteries 