Welcome to the Marengo Society of Historic Preservation’s Cemetery Walk honoring those who died serving for the Union forces in the Civil War.
Please note that these are not in any order of importance, and only recognizing a very small portion of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
It is our hope to continue this recognition in years to come.
A huge thanks to Ed Urban for his research.
The Marengo Cemetery was established in 1861. The ten acre parcel was purchased for $700, from Justus and Julia Webber. Land has been added to this original purchase. The ‘old burying ground’ south of the railroad tracks was used from the 1840’s until this one was established.
Excerpt from History of McHenry County, ‘No where are more beautiful grounds for the burial of the dead found than here; neither time, labor nor expense have been spared in ornamenting and beautifying this city of the dead. The lots are regularly laid off with beautiful walks and drives between. The long lines of lovely shade trees extending from the north to the south side of the grounds, together with the many beautiful monuments and head stones standing as regular and straight as a line can be drawn, present indeed a charming sight and one which causes a person to view the spot with quite a degree of pleasure despite the sad thought of death so vividly suggested.’
We have a new home!
Our new permanent home is located at 206 W. Washington. The house was graciously bequeathed to the Society in 2017 by Ruth Nork.
This beautiful Italianate house was built in 1872, by a well-known builder named D.A. Steadman, who also constructed the Marengo Opera House and many other businesses and buildings in Marengo. The house was built for the Presbyterian Church’s Reverand Hutchinson. Some time in the 1930’s, house was purchased by Theodore and Elsie Nork, who were blessed with one daughter, Ruth. Theodore was employed at Arnold Engineering for many years, and Elsie was a cook for the Patrick family. Elsie’s mother also lived with them, having a separate area as living quarters. Ruth was a professor of German for many years at Elgin Community College. These were the only 2 families to own and occupy this house.
Sometime in the 1950’s, 2 small apartments were made on the second floor of the house. Among the tenants that rented these units, actors from Shady Lane Theatre were regular tenants.
The Society has completed renovations of the first floor of the house, and presently working on renovations to the second floor, to return to original design. It is the Society’s hope to have this area open to the public within the year! We are presently working hard in getting the Marengo History Library room organized, so that individuals can do research on family, or properties. Marengo artifacts and pictures are also displayed.
The Society has been blessed with this ‘new’ permanent home by the generosity of Ruth Nork.