Potter Palmer
20 May 1826 – 4 May 1902
Bertha Honoré Palmer
22 May 1849 – 5 May 1918
There are quite good biographies of both Potter and Bertha on their @findagrave pages and both have Wikipedia entries as well (Potter Palmer – Wikipedia | Bertha Palmer – Wikipedia), so I’ll just do a highlight reel here.
Potter was born into money in New York, was well-educated for the time period, and was able to start his own business fairly young. In 1851, he visited Chicago and decided to relocate here, selling off his New York interests and opening a new dry goods business on Lake Street. He implemented many innovations that made his store a great success.
Suffering from stress and overwork, at the age of 38, and on the advice of his doctor, he partnered with Marshall Field and Levi Leiter in 1865 and took off on a years-long vacation in Europe. When he returned to the city, his focus shifted to real estate. Along with building the iconic Palmer House Hotel, his work literally reshaped Chicago, changing the location of the main commercial district, developing Lake Shore Drive, and widening State Street among his contributions.
Bertha married Potter in 1870 and almost immediately the couple had to weather the disaster of the Great Chicago Fire which decimated their holdings. Together, they rebuilt quickly, and Bertha ascended to the top of Chicago society in spite of her youth. They had two sons, Potter Jr and Honoré.
In her own right, Bertha played a role in the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, built an art collection that formed the core of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Impressionist collection, and was a pioneer in Florida real estate after her husband’s death.
This Greek temple mausoleum is one of the most spectacular memorials at Graceland, a true gem among gems. It has probably the best location, fully visible from all around the lake while looking down from its hilltop on all its neighbors as any good Classical temple would desire to do.
Potter and Bertha are entombed in the two above-ground crypts while large slabs cover the many niches below the temple floor, only some of which are occupied. Several generations are entombed there including two interments that took place in 2021.
RIP Palmers