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Couch Tomb: A Lincoln Park Mystery

Discover the enigmatic Couch Tomb in Lincoln Park, a stone sentinel guarding Chicago's buried past and lingering mysteries.

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The Couch Tomb, a stoic mausoleum in Lincoln Park, is the last vestige of the area's past as Chicago's City Cemetery. Built in 1858 for hotelier Ira Couch, it stands as a curious landmark amidst the park's greenery, shrouded in questions about who lies within and why it was never moved.

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Local tips

  • Visit the Couch Tomb during daylight hours for the best visibility and photo opportunities.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Chicago History Museum to learn more about the city's past.
  • Take a stroll through Lincoln Park to appreciate the contrast between the tomb and its modern surroundings.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Chicago History Museum, walk south through Lincoln Park. The Couch Tomb is located on the east side of the park, a short walk from the museum's back entrance. The tomb is enclosed by a fence and is easily visible from the surrounding pathways.

  • Public Transport

    Take the CTA Red Line to the Clark/Division stop. From there, walk east on Division Street, then north on Dearborn Street into Lincoln Park. The Couch Tomb will be on your right, near the Chicago History Museum. CTA bus routes also serve the area. A single ride on CTA bus or train is $2.25 and $2.50 respectively. Transfers are free for up to two additional rides within two hours.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Request a ride to the Chicago History Museum at 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614. From there, walk south into Lincoln Park; the Couch Tomb is a short distance away. A typical ride-share from downtown Chicago to this location will cost approximately $15-$25, depending on traffic and demand.

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Discover more about Couch Tomb

Tucked away in Lincoln Park, near the Chicago History Museum, the Couch Tomb offers a glimpse into Chicago's past. This unassuming stone structure is the only remaining above-ground feature from when the southern end of the park was the Chicago City Cemetery. Established in the 1840s, the cemetery fell into disrepair due to unsanitary conditions, leading to its conversion into Lincoln Park in 1869. The tomb was commissioned by Ira Couch, a successful hotelier who died in 1857. He and his brother James were the owners of the Tremont House, a celebrated hotel that hosted Abraham Lincoln and, ironically, John Wilkes Booth. Designed by Chicago's first professional architect, John M. Van Osdel, the mausoleum was built to house Ira and his family. After the cemetery's closure, most bodies were moved to other cemeteries like Graceland and Rosehill. However, the Couch Tomb remained, likely because the family or the city deemed its relocation too expensive. Today, the tomb is a source of local legends and historical curiosity. Some claim that the Couch family fought in court to keep the tomb, while others suggest that the city simply didn't want to pay for its removal. Renovated in the 1990s, the Couch Tomb is now illuminated at night, marking a transition from civic embarrassment to a point of civic pride. While the front metal door remains sealed, the mysteries of who lies within continue to fascinate visitors.

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