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Palmer Memorial - Graceland Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery - Chicago - 3/31/11

 

Potter Palmer (1826 - 1902) and Bertha Palmer (1849 - 1918)

The grand Greek temple with the twin sarcophagi gives a clue to the lavish lifestyle of its occupants. Potter Palmer (the Palmer House) pioneered customer satisfaction in his dry goods store, with money-back guarantees, merchandise on approval, and attractive store displays. He sold his successful business to Marshall Field and Levi Leiter, and became successful in real estate.

 

To give you an idea of scale, the two sarcophagi in the memorial are slightly over 6 feet tall. The columns are carved from single pieces of marble!

 

McKim, Meade & White of New York designed the temple, as well as Bertha’s parents' French Gothic tomb across the road.

 

 

 

 

 

Image © Jeff Abbas - 2010/2011

Please do not reproduce without express permission.

Print available on request via Flickr Mail

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Uploaded on April 2, 2011
Taken on April 2, 2011