Cemeteries in Lake County (County)

Lake County, located in northeastern Illinois along the shores of Lake Michigan, was established in 1839 and named for the lake that defines its eastern boundary.

Originally home to Potawatomi and other Indigenous peoples, the area was opened to settlement following treaties in the early 19th century. Early European-American settlers—primarily of New England and German descent—established agricultural communities throughout the region. The arrival of railroads and steamboat routes in the mid-1800s fostered trade and tourism, particularly in lakefront towns like Waukegan, which became the county seat. Lake County later became known for its mix of manufacturing, farming, and residential development, especially as Chicago expanded northward. The county’s landscape includes forest preserves, lakes, and early resort communities. Religious life included Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish congregations.

Cemeteries such as Waukegan's Oakwood Cemetery preserve the area’s pioneer and immigrant heritage.