Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery is a military cemetery covering roughly 1,000 acres with columbaria, committal shelters, and preserved oak woodlands. The grounds are designed to offer different burial options and quiet areas for visitors to remember those laid to rest here.

This cemetery was established in 1999 on the former site of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, which produced munitions during several major conflicts. The conversion transformed a historic military production facility into a national cemetery honoring service members.

The Memorial Walk features monuments honoring different groups of service members and war casualties interred here. These markers shape how visitors move through the grounds and gather to remember those they have lost.

The cemetery is open daily during daylight hours, allowing visitors to bring fresh flowers year-round. Artificial arrangements are permitted between October and April, which helps you plan visits according to the season.

In 2015, this location received the first federally approved monument dedicated to LGBT veterans in the United States national cemetery system. This made it a landmark site for honoring service members whose contributions had long been overlooked.

Location: Elwood

Operator: United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Phone: +18154239958

Website: https://cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/abrahamlincoln.asp

GPS coordinates: 41.38960,-88.12610

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:41