Like the friendly Midwestern village that surrounds it, Ridgewood Memorial Park in Des Plaines, Illinois, welcomes visitors through its grand iron gates into a peaceful green sanctuary. Set under the sprawling prairie skies of northern Illinois, the cemetery is located just 17 miles from the towering skyline of downtown Chicago.

The French meaning of Des Plaines, ?of the plains?, describes the area perfectly as this down-to-earth town emanates the warmth and charm so typical of the Midwest. Settled in the 1830?s by pioneer farmers from New York and New England, the area that became Des Plaines was quickly populated by German immigrants in the 1840s and 1850s. The German influence is still in evidence today, but has been enriched by the effect of the melting pot of cultures in nearby Chicago. Des Plaines quickly grew into a lively suburb as it took its historic place as a stop on one of the country's early railroad routes.

Just a short distance from the Ridgewood Memorial Park, the Des Plaines River meanders through the countryside, emptying into several picturesque lakes in the region. Within the cemetery, well-manicured lawns, mature trees and a lovely pond dot the landscape, which are close to I-294 off of Milwaukee Avenue. Only a few miles from Chicago, one of the most vibrant cities in the world, Ridgewood Memorial Park opens its gates and offers a tranquil respite from the bustling world outside.