Getty Tomb
Also known as: Getty Family Mausoleum
Why it's listed
Graceland Cemetery in Chicago holds the Getty Tomb, a compact limestone mausoleum built in 1890 for Carrie Eliza Getty, wife of a prominent Chicago businessman. It measures roughly 14 by 18 feet and is built of grey Bedford limestone. A slab roof with a scalloped top carries a band of foliate relief. An arched doorway and two semicircular side windows are closed with bronze gates and grilles pierced with ornament designed by Louis Sullivan. The upper walls bear an incised pattern of octagonal panels enclosing eight-pointed stars. Sullivan designed it at the height of his career, and it is regarded as one of his finest works. Frank Lloyd Wright described it as a piece of sculpture and a great poem. A plaster cast of the doorway won an award at the Paris Exposition of 1900. The tomb was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1971 and remains unaltered on its original site.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the finest structures designed by Louis Sullivan, with some of his finest ornament. It dates from the height of his career and is praised for its sculptural quality. Its design won recognition abroad, and it was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1971.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74000750, listed February 15, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Graceland Cemetery, N. Clark St. and W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | February 15, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000750 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (built 1890) |
| Architect / builder | Louis Henry Sullivan, architect |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as excellent and unaltered, on its original site. The form marks it as occupied, with restricted public access, and its present use is funerary. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Graceland Cemetery |
| Coordinates | 41.96118, -87.66133 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74000750.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5046222
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.