Our Lady of the Angels Monument

On December 1, 1958, a horrific fire roared through the "Our Lady of the Angels" school on Chicagos west side. Close to 100 children and teachers perished in the blaze or from the smoke. Some died in their escape from the blazing school, some died later from injuries sustained that day.
The history of the fire and its aftermath are best recounted in other places. This video is to show the monment that was placed in the "Queen Of Heaven" cemetery, in Hillside Illinois. Located in the SouthWest quadrant of the intersection of Roosevelt and Wolf Roads. Access is obtained off of Wolf and proceeding West from that main gate.
The monument is fairly simple. A block of stone with the Virgin Mary carved upon it, and scripture written upon the sides and base. At either side lay two large stone blocks that have the names of all who perished carved into the rock. A simple series of crosses is etched after the name, this specifies where that person was laid to rest. In front of the monument lie the resting spots for a large number of the children.
I have visited here many times and have always been touched by way this section is care for, and the amount of attention it gets.
This video was made November 30, 2008. One day before the 50th anniversary of this event. In a indirect manner I suppose that my life was better because of this event. For after this happened fire and building codes around the country were changed to protect all children. I started school almost ten years after the event and I am glad that the changes were made to protect all children.
It may look like it is snowing in this video, but in my heart of hearts, I know it is the tears of angels.

[@BlueIslandGirl]

Thanks a lot for posting this. It means a lot for those of us who don't live in the area and cannot visit the cemetery ourselves.

[@FiremanFrach]

RIP Fireman Richard Scheidt. He was the fireman carrying the boy out in that famous photo. He passed away last April.

[@SumatranRhino]

My father was a Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant, stationed at Engine Company 117. At the time of the fire, it was located at Chicago and Laramie. His company was, I believe, the second or third on the scene of the fire. He never talked about that day or the aftermath.

[@ipfeldspar]

Firefighters are pretty tough people, but they are only human. I'll bet a lot of those guys felt this one so very personally. Thank-You for viewing, and especially for sharing!

[@moemcgovern7345]

God Bless your father.

[@ipfeldspar]

It is a very peaceful area, well away from the main roads. The cemetery is well kept with lots of trees and bushes.

[@MrWackypackages]

Just heard about this tragedy. Horribly sad. May all victims Rest now...

[@tedsands5808]

If I’m not mistaken the crosses represent what cemeteries the children were buried at. There’s a maker with the cemeteries names on the backside of the monument

[@ipfeldspar]

It was about ten years before I started Public School in the Chicago Suburbs. Change comes slowly, and the fire doors did not get installed until I was in the Third Grade. A lot of people died but a tiny bit of good came out of it with new fire codes and fire fighting strategies....

[@ipfeldspar]

You are correct. On the reverse of the Monument the numbers and cemeteries are listed. Thank-You very much for viewing!!!

[@02chevyguy]

I commented on another video concerning this fire. The picture was made into a poster back in the 60's for Fire Prevention Week.

[@ipfeldspar]

So many died, but the tragedy forced building codes to change and that must have saved a lot more kids......

[@jimysohns]

Irving P. Feldspar I've studied this fire for years. The more I learn the less I know. 92 kids 3 nuns died. Third worst fire in chicago history. Worst school fire in chicago history. Yet it stands as the most people saved in the shortest time by Chicago fire.....200 in less than 15 minutes. RIP Angels.

[@carolinewithers531]

What is the meaning of the little crosses next to the names?

[@AJAXKID123]

I actually came here to ask this question! I wish someone would have answered. Did you ever find out why?

[@jjones1341]

Some here have asked for the meaning of the crosses engraved next to each victim's name on the Queen of Heaven cemetery monument stones. Not all of the fire victims are buried at Queen of Heaven. Some are buried at other area Catholic cemeteries. The crosses serve as a 'legend' to identify where each victim is buried. One cross means that the victim is buried at St. Adalbert Cemetery; 2 crosses mean the victim is buried at St. Joseph's cemetery; 3 crosses mean the victim is buried at Mount Carmel cemetery (which is across the street from Queen of Heaven cemetery); 4 crosses mean the victim is buried Queen of Heaven cemetery; 5 crosses mean the victim is buried at St. Nicholas cemetery; 6 crosses mean the victim is buried in Norway, Michigan. May they all rest in peace no matter where they are buried - all angels gone too soon.

[@ipfeldspar]

Thank-You for providing the information, and thank-you for viewing!!!

[@ipfeldspar]

I apologize.

[@ipfeldspar]

Noted below. Sorry for the delay in responding!

[@jjones1341]

Some here have asked for the meaning of the crosses engraved next to each victim's name on the Queen of Heaven cemetery monument stones. Not all of the fire victims are buried at Queen of Heaven. Some are buried at other area Catholic cemeteries. The crosses serve as a 'legend' to identify where each victim is buried. One cross means that the victim is buried at St. Adalbert Cemetery; 2 crosses mean the victim is buried at St. Joseph's cemetery; 3 crosses mean the victim is buried at Mount Carmel cemetery (which is across the street from Queen of Heaven cemetery); 4 crosses mean the victim is buried Queen of Heaven cemetery; 5 crosses mean the victim is buried at St. Nicholas cemetery; 6 crosses mean the victim is buried in Norway, Michigan. May they all rest in peace no matter where they are buried - all angels gone too soon.

[@ipfeldspar]

Hi! Thank-You very much for sharing that information. I had no idea. Thank-You for noting this, and also Thank-You for your care and love....!!!!

[@jjones1341]

@@ipfeldspar You are very welcome!

[@lindatober9580]

I first read about this fire in a magazine article in 1979. The article was about Michele Mcbride and her book regarding the fire. If it was arson,I wonder if the person who set the fire is still alive.He has to live with himself and answer to a Higher Power. His name should be released to the public .

[@ipfeldspar]

There have been several suspects including at least one boy who seemed to be a pyro. I cannot recall, for sure, but I think that he eventually got identified, or perhaps, the ID is limited to cops....?

[@moemcgovern7345]

May they all RIP. It was like reading the Titanic.

[@ipfeldspar]

Thank-You for viewing. Always remember!!!

[@02chevyguy]

I guess it's true in most cases that something good comes out of something bad.