The Schoenhofen Mausoleum: Art Nouveau in the Heart of Chicago
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The Schoenhofen Pyramid Mausoleum is one of the most beloved and most photographed landmarks in Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum. The mausoleum was built in 1893 by architect Richard E. Schmidt for Chicago brewer Peter Schoenhofen.
History of the Schoenhofen Pyramid Mausoleum
Peter Schoenhofen was a successful Chicago brewer and businessman whose brewery became an important part of the city’s nineteenth-century brewing industry. Following his death in 1893, his family mausoleum was constructed at Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum.
The pyramid structure was designed in the Egyptian Revival style. The entrance is guarded by a unique pair of figures: a sphinx on one side and an angel on the other.
2024 Restoration of the Schoenhofen Pyramid
After more than 130 years of weathering, Schoenhofen’s mausoleum needed significant preservation work. A 2024 restoration by Marion Restoration focused on protecting both the exterior and interior masonry.
The restoration included:
- Cleaning the granite and removing accumulated dirt and black encrustations
- Repairing deteriorated mortar joints
- Repointing masonry with historically appropriate mortar
- Addressing moisture-related efflorescence
- Repairing cracks and damaged interior stone
- Improving protection against future water infiltration
The restoration team took a preservation-focused approach, aiming to stabilize the historic structure without making it look artificially new. The work helps protect the pyramid’s distinctive stonework and decorative details for future generations.
Mausoleum Location
The Schoenhofen Mausoleum is in the Bellevue Section, Lot/Pathway 16 & 17, Space 4.