Mission Statement: To fund efforts and projects to preserve the cemetery as an historical venue and maintain its landscaping and historically significant monuments while it also serves the arts, education, science, and the general needs of the public in the present time.

For generations, Chippiannock has been famous for the design and artisitic improvement of its landscaping and monuments, many of them famous works of art. Through the years, it has also become a significant venue for artists, photographers, and lecturers, and we have stretched our physical and financial resources to accommodate their interests. This is how the cemetery became famous as a landmark enjoyed by Quad City citizens and visitors from all over the country. In fact, in 1994 Chipiannock was awarded a place in the National Register of Historic Places. That has been the happy result of all our efforts. All very well of course. Needless to say, there are special challenges in maintaining a landmark such as this one. Roads, trees, and shrubs need to be maintained. Many of them need replacement after so many years. And some of Chippiannock's priceless and venerable monuments need to be straightened and reset. This is costly maintenance.

In 1999, the Chippiannock Cemetery Heritage Foundation (CCHF) was formed to raise funds for the historical and preservation programs, newsletter, and educational outreach we have worked hard to provide through the years. The CCHF has the 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, and all contributions are tax deductible.

Currently the CCHF offers walking tours of history, Victorian symbolism, trees, and birds. Self-guided walking tour brochures are available at no cost. We also sponsor a genealogical workshop and other workshops of community interest. If you would like to receive our newsletter, please consider membership in the CCHF. Membership in the CCHF is $25 per year for an individual, and $45 per year for a family. Membership will include the newsletter and notification of discounts and special events. Please make your contribution or membership check payable to the CCHF and mail to:

Chippiannock Cemetery
Heritage Foundation
2901 - 12 St.
Rock Island, IL 61201-5335

Now Available!

"Chippannock Cemetery: Images of America"

Built on a ridge named for the great Native American spirit Manitou, Chippiannock Cemetery has honored the dead of Rock Island County for over 150 years. Chippiannock, which means "village of the dead" in the Sauk and Fox languages, is truly a village. People from all walks of life are buried in the majestic rolling grounds. From railroad and lumber barons to blacksmiths and riverboat captains, here one will find the people who made this land along the Mississippi River thrive. Upon stepping through the gates of Chippiannock, one finds memorials to the dead, ranging from artistic and stately to simple or humble. Each stone tells a story-whether it is a cenotaph in honor of Civil War major general John Buford or the two Dimick children who passed away on the same day in 1878 of diphtheria. Today Chippiannock remains an active, "living" cemetery, beloved by locals and considered a jewel of the Quad Cities.

er Form

Author Bio: Minda Powers-Douglas is a writer and cemetery advocate from Moline. She is the editor and founder of Epitaphs Magazine and the Web site TheCemeteryClub. She also leads workshops on cemetery art and symbolism, gravestone rubbing, and memoir writing.

"Passages: A Collection of Personal Histories of Chippiannock Cemetery"

The book is composed of three sections: the notables, the families, and the individuals. It is an historical remembrance of our past and a glimpse of today. "Passages" is a book of cherished personal accounts of family members and statements of lives lived well. This hardbound book will be available for a limited time. THIS BOOK IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.

Please use our order form for your own "Chippiannock Cemetery: Images of America" & "Passages: A Collection of Personal Histories of Chippiannock Cemetery"