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Click to enlarge
Possibly the oldest tombstone in the cemetery
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Gravestones
Some old gravestones from Bachelor's Grove Cemetery September 03, 2006 (before the clean-up)
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Click to enlarge
Possibly the oldest tombstone in the cemetery
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Possibly the oldest tombstone in the cemetery
Click to enlarge
Bachelor's Grove Cleanup 2
Here are a few photos of what I saw at the Cemetery on September 3. The condition of the grounds prompted me to seek out a way to help restore the cemetery. Coincidentally, on the next Saturday there was an organized clean up effort. I think we made a lot of progress! I hope we can do this more than once a year to keep it looking good.
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Fallen Tree on a Gravestone
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
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Gravestones hidden in the weeds
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
Click to enlarge
Fallen Tree on a Gravestone
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
Click to enlarge
Gravestones hidden in the weeds
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery Cleanup
After years of neglect and vandalism, a group of people got together and obtained a permit to clean up Bachelor's Grove Cemetery. This cemetery is the oldest in Cook County, and holds the remains of the first settlers to the area. It's locally known as a very haunted place, so lots of people come to have an experience, but many others in the past have come to desecrate and vandalize. The group of volunteers (including myself for the first time) hauled out the rakes, week-wackers and other cutting tools to make the cemetery presentable once again.
All of the garbage, and most of the weeds and thorned bushes were removed today in just 7 hours with around 10 volunteers! The place looks pretty good for only a days work. Imagine what could be done in a few days or weeks.
Here's a photo of the cemetery before the weeds were cut:
Click to enlarge
Here's a photo after many of the weeds were cut:
Click to enlarge
Let's hope we can get a permit to do this more than once a year.
All of the garbage, and most of the weeds and thorned bushes were removed today in just 7 hours with around 10 volunteers! The place looks pretty good for only a days work. Imagine what could be done in a few days or weeks.
Here's a photo of the cemetery before the weeds were cut:
Click to enlarge
Here's a photo after many of the weeds were cut:
Click to enlarge
Let's hope we can get a permit to do this more than once a year.
Pond in Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
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Still pond Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery has long been the source of ghost stories, mob stories and urban legends. Bachelor's Grove Cemetery holds the remains of some of Chicagoland's early pioneers, but since the 1960's and 1970's, the graveyard has been desecrated. It was said that the only things you have to fear at this graveyard are the people who visit it at night.
Many legends say the Chicago mob used this pond to dump their murdered foes; others say most of the broken and vandalized gravestones lie at the bottom. Either way, it's a very serene place.
There are some private efforts to clean up Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, so there's hope that the desecration will end.
Still pond Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery has long been the source of ghost stories, mob stories and urban legends. Bachelor's Grove Cemetery holds the remains of some of Chicagoland's early pioneers, but since the 1960's and 1970's, the graveyard has been desecrated. It was said that the only things you have to fear at this graveyard are the people who visit it at night.
Many legends say the Chicago mob used this pond to dump their murdered foes; others say most of the broken and vandalized gravestones lie at the bottom. Either way, it's a very serene place.
There are some private efforts to clean up Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, so there's hope that the desecration will end.
Battery Bigelow
Remains of Battery Bigelow
The remains of the three-inch gun battery known as Battery Bigelow can still be seen at Fort DeSoto Park near St. Petersburg, Florida.
http://www.fortdesoto.com/servlets/Page/batterybigelow
Hay Rolls
Hay Rolls; Mill Creek, Indiana
There's something about a freshly mowed field scattered with hay rolls that makes me want to stop and take a photo.
El Dorado Restaurant
Remember this place? The El Dorado restaurant in Crestwood, IL has been gone for quite a few years, but the sign still stands on 143rd and Cicero.
The El Dorado was a typical south-side suburban Chicago restaurant, serving a fairly large menu with breakfast anytime. I think the same three Greek guys own (or at least control) every restaurant in the south suburbs because they're all so similar.
What made the El Dorado different was the feeling you got when you walked in the door - the feeling of being watched! I swear, everytime I walked into this place all of the customers stopped what they were doing, turned and stared as if to say, "who are you and why are you in my restaurant?" It didn't matter what time of day or night (and I've been there at 2 AM and 2 PM) you felt like you didn't belong. The staff were nice enough, it was the patrons who made you feel as if you were on exhibit. Maybe it was something to do with the high voltage lines that ran close to the building!
This place closed around 2002 and a new El Dorado opened up in Orland Park. The Orland Park place didn't give off the same vibes.
Anyone else feel like they were being watched at the old El Dorado?
I'm Looking Over a ...
Four-Leaf Clover.
Mike found a 4-leaf clover in the backyard. Looks like he'll have good luck for some time to come. According to this article, 4-leaf clovers are one in 10,000.
I'm still trying to figure out how Mike found the unique clover, and how he knew it was special to find one with four leaves.
Mike found a 4-leaf clover in the backyard. Looks like he'll have good luck for some time to come. According to this article, 4-leaf clovers are one in 10,000.
I'm still trying to figure out how Mike found the unique clover, and how he knew it was special to find one with four leaves.
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