Elmwood Cemetery Gates
Why it's listed
Two matching sets of iron entry gates mark the north and east boundaries of Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore, Illinois, facing Charles Street and South Cross Street. Each set has a wide central double gate flanked by pedestrian gates, in the three-opening Serlian pattern popularized by Palladio. Four square cast iron columns, topped with urns, carry an arch inscribed with the cemetery name and the incorporation date of 1865. Between the columns, the wrought iron gates combine alternating straight and turned posts, bands of scrollwork and trefoil finials. Early cemetery records burned, so the construction date is uncertain, but 1865 newspaper notices of the cemetery's incorporation suggest the gates belonged to the original plan. The gates were listed because they show cast iron used for street and grounds furnishing rather than building fronts, paired with skilled wrought iron work. A state survey named them the best example of iron cemetery gates in Illinois, and no alterations are known.
Significance in brief: The gates are argued to be a notable example of cast iron used for urban furniture at a time when decorative cast iron mostly appeared on building facades. The wrought iron sections show fine craftsmanship, and the overall design joins cast and wrought iron. The Illinois Historic Structures Survey is cited as naming them the best representative of iron cemetery gates in Illinois.
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 78003102, listed November 28, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S. Cross and Charles Sts., Sycamore |
|---|---|
| County | DeKalb County |
| Listed | November 28, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003102 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1865 (?) |
| Architectural style | Serlian (Palladian) motif tripartite gates |
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as being in good condition, with no known alterations to the north or east gates; the cemetery remains in operation as a separate corporation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.98258, -88.69786 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 78003102.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5366964
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.