Agencies
Services
636 E. 35th St.
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 660-2341
Visit:
The U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas Tomb State Historic Site is open to the public April to through October, Thursday through Sunday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
By train: The CTA Red Line Sox-35th Street station and the Metra Rock Island 35th St – Lou Jones station are located approximately one mile (a 26-minute walk) west of Douglas Tomb State Historic Site.
By bus: CTA bus lines #4, #X4, and #35 stop at 35th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, one block west of Douglas Tomb State Historic Site.
By car: Douglas Tomb State Historic Site has no public parking onsite. Limited street parking is available on 35th Street.
Accessibility: Douglas Tomb State Historic Site’s grounds are accessible on paved paths that lead from the 35th Street sidewalk through an entrance gate to the tomb’s monument, then encircle the tomb. The steps of the monument to the burial chamber offer handrails, but are not accessible to wheelchairs.
About:
The scenic park contains a towering stone obelisk above an enclosed burial crypt surrounded by terraced monument stonework. Designed by Illinois sculptor Leonard W. Volk, the 96-foot-tall granite structure was constructed between 1866 and 1881. Three circular bases are topped by a 20-foot diameter octagonal mausoleum. Inside, a Vermont marble sarcophagus holds Douglas’ remains, surmounted by a marble bust of the Senator. At the four main corners of the mausoleum, pedestals hold large bronze allegorical figures portraying “Illinois,” “History,” “Justice,” and “Eloquence.” Above the main base of the column are four bronze bas reliefs representing stages in “the advance of American civilization.” Atop the 46-foot column is a nine-foot bronze statue of Douglas gazing over Lake Michigan. The grounds surrounding the Tomb feature interpretive signs, flower beds, and trees.
