Haunted Statue at Graceland Cemetery, Sparking Unsettling Tales About Inez Clarke
Unearthed Truths: The Tale of Inez Clarke's Statue in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery
In Graceland Cemetery, nestled among the tombstones and monuments, stands a life-sized statue of a young girl named Inez Clarke. The statue, adorned with a laced patterned dress, necklace, bow, and small hat, has become a notable feature of the cemetery[1].
However, recent research has shed light on the identity of Inez Clarke, challenging the long-held beliefs about this mysterious figure. It appears that Inez Clarke may not have been a Clarke at all, but rather a Briggs[2][3].
Inez, daughter of J.N. and M.C. Clarke, was born on September 20, 1873, and passed away on August 1, 1880, as inscribed on her tombstone[5]. In response to their profound mourning, her family commissioned a life-sized, intricately detailed statue to be placed at her grave. This statue serves as a memorial of Inez’s short life and has become a notable feature of the cemetery[1].
The statue's foundation reads "Daughter of J.N. & M.C. Clarke, Born Sep 20. 1873, Died August 1. 1880." However, it seems there may have been a mix-up in the records, as Amos Briggs, likely Inez's brother, was buried next to her beneath the statue[4]. The statue's larger stone base contains a plaque that reads "John N. Clarke 1839-1910" and "Mary C. Clarke 1856 - 1912."[6]
Inez Clarke's true identity is believed to be Inez Briggs, the daughter of Mary C. Clarke from an earlier marriage. Jane Rothrock, Inez's grandmother, is also buried near the statue, alongside her husband David[7]. Jane Rothrock's husband from a previous marriage - and the father of Inez's mother, Mary Clarke - was named Amos, who died in the Civil War[8].
The Chicago Sun-Times published an article in 2007 about the identity of Inez Clarke, written by historians Al Walavich and Helen Sclair[9]. They suggest that the cemetery records may have incorrectly listed the name of Inez as Amos due to misheard or miswritten names on census forms and other documents.
The statue's glass covering was added at a later date, and Inez Clarke is holding a small closed umbrella in the statue[1]. Despite the statue's existence, there are no records of an Inez Clarke to be found anywhere[10].
Graceland Cemetery offers walkthroughs, cemetery tours, and ghost hunts during the Halloween season. The statue of Inez Clarke has become a popular site for those seeking paranormal activity. However, the stories around Inez Clarke's statue are a mixture of genuine historical mourning and family commemoration paired with typical cemetery-based ghost lore. The verified truth is her existence as a young child who died in the late 19th century and whose memory is preserved by a striking monument; the paranormal claims remain anecdotal and unproven[1][2][3][5].
| Aspect | Known Facts | Legend/Claims | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Identity | Inez Briggs, daughter of Mary C. Clarke | Inez Clarke in records | | Monument | Life-sized statue at Graceland Cemetery | N/A | | Cause of death | Diphtheria, on August 1, 1880 | Various unspecified lore | | Paranormal activity | No verified evidence found | Popular local ghost stories about haunting |
- A notable feature in Graceland Cemetery is a life-sized statue of a girl named Inez, yet recent research suggests she might be Inez Briggs instead.
- In the fashion-and-beauty realm, Inez is depicted in the statue with a laced dress, necklace, bow, and small hat, reflecting the style of the late 19th century.
- The Clarke family, who commissioned the statue as a memorial for Inez, might have had a different last name, Briggs, according to new findings.
- Food-and-drink connoisseurs might be intrigued by the lack of records of Inez Clarke, raising questions about her existence beyond the statue.
- Education-and-self-development enthusiasts may find the story of Inez Clarke fascinating, as it involves historical research on census forms and other documents.
- Those with an interest in travel, especially to Chicago, might want to visit Graceland Cemetery during the Halloween season to see the popular site of Inez Clarke's statue, rumored to have paranormal activity, though no verified evidence has been found.
