Carrie Eliza Getty Tomb facts for kids
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Getty Tomb
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Front entrance
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| Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
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| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Louis Sullivan |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000750 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 15, 1974 |
The Carrie Eliza Getty Tomb is a special monument found in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1890 by a wealthy businessman named Henry Harrison Getty. He wanted it for his wife, Carrie Eliza.
A famous American architect, Louis Sullivan, designed the tomb. Sullivan was part of the company Adler & Sullivan. Henry Getty knew Sullivan's work from other buildings in Chicago. He also liked a similar tomb Sullivan designed for Getty's business partner, Martin Ryerson, also in Graceland Cemetery.
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History of the Getty Tomb
Many people believe the Getty Tomb is the most important building in Graceland Cemetery. It also marked the start of a new style of architecture called the Chicago School. Louis Sullivan became very famous for this style.
What the Tomb Looks Like
The tomb stands on its own triangular piece of land. It is made from strong limestone blocks. The bottom part of the tomb has large, smooth limestone blocks. The top part has a cool pattern of octagons. Each octagon has an eight-pointed starburst design inside it.
The top edge of the roof is straight in the front and back. On the sides, it curves inward in a wavy shape. This makes the tomb look very unique.
The Amazing Doorway
When you look at the tomb, the most eye-catching part is its fancy doorway. It has a beautiful bronze gate and door. Over time, the bronze has turned a greenish color, called a patina. A wide, half-circle archway goes over the door.
The stones around the arch are shaped like long, thin wedges. Some of these wedges are plain, while others have detailed carvings. The two gates and the door behind them have designs that mix geometric shapes with flowers. These designs also include the starburst pattern seen on the upper walls.
The other three sides of the tomb have half-circle windows. These windows are covered in bronze and look just like the arch and door on the front. A copy of the door was shown at a big exhibition in Paris in 1900. Louis Sullivan won an award for it there!
Who is Buried There?
Henry Harrison Getty joined his wife, Carrie Eliza, in the tomb after he passed away in Paris in 1919. Their only child, Alice, was also buried there in 1946.
On March 10, 1971, the Getty Tomb was named a Chicago Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in Chicago.
Images for kids
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Getty Tomb; from Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) archives
See also
In Spanish: Tumba de Carrie Eliza Getty para niños
