Most People Don't Know That Oscar Mayer's Gravesite Is Found Right Here In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published December 15, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Growing up an hour outside Chicago, and then moving there in my twenties, there is only one food that comes to mind: hot dogs. Yes, I know that pizza and Italian beef are icons, too, but nothing defines the city quite like a Chicago-style hot dog. From baseball games to backyard cookouts to old-school walk-up restaurants, hot dogs are ubiquitous for having a great time and are a passion we all share. For me, it’s Byron’s Hot Dogs on Irving Park Road that is just *a chef’s kiss*. So when I discovered that a celebrity with ties to Illinois was none other than Oscar Mayer himself, I felt prouder than ever to be a Chicagoan.
In 1873, at the age of 14, Oscar Ferdinand Mayer immigrated to the United States from Germany with his cousin. While he initially landed in Detroit finding work in a butcher's shop, just three years later he made his way to Chicago, where he began working in the Armour & Company meat packing plant.
During this time, he and his brother began saving money and studying the sausage-making process.
In 1883, Mayer and two of his brothers opened their own butcher shop where they made sausages. The owner of the building, hoping to profit off of the successful business, refused to renew the shop's lease, forcing the Mayer brothers out on their own.
In response, Mayer built his own building and family home — launching his meat business even further.
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His empire expanded into other meats, like bacon, and took off across Chicago, the suburbs, and the Midwest. His company was also among the first to participate in the Food Safety and Inspection Service in 1906 to ensure the quality of his products met federal standards.
As the brand grew, it became even more recognizable when in 1929 the company added a yellow stripe to its packaging. Today, Oscar Mayer products are easily identified by their yellow packages.
Of course, one of the Oscar Mayer brand's most iconic assets is the Wienermobile, first introduced in 1936. This beloved hot dog-shaped vehicle is a national treasure.
Over time, Mayer's son, Oscar G. Mayer Sr., became involved in the business. He had been born in the two-flat Mayer built after getting kicked out of his original shop, and had grown up around his father's meat ventures. Later, his son, Oscar G. Mayer Jr., would take his turn in the company, filling his father's role as Chairman after his death.
Today, the brand remains based in Chicago as a subsidiary of the Kraft Heinz Company. Its distinctive yellow, red, and white logo is still one of the most recognizable logos in the country, spanning generations of consumers.
From a teen to a 95-year-old grandfather, Oscar F. Mayer created a legacy in Illinois that's sure to last. He established himself and his name as a successful entrepreneur, sausage maker, meat packer, business visionary, and pioneer in food safety. He truly had accomplished the American dream.
In 1955, just two weeks before his 96th birthday, Oscar F. Mayer passed away at his home in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. He is buried in at historic Rosehill Cemetery on Chicago's Far North Side. An ordinary headstone disguises his extraordinary life.
Oscar Mayer is an iconic celebrity with ties to Illinois, though he’s not always first to mind. Still, he’s among the ranks of other greats like Betty White, Bob Odenkirk, Harrison Ford, Dick Van Dyke, and more — all celebrities who hail from the Prairie State. You can learn more about the incredible history of the Oscar Mayer brand by visiting its website, and stay up-to-date on all things Wienermobile by following its Facebook page. Want to taste-test some of Chicago’s most famous foods for yourself? Check out this best-selling food and walking tour, which includes — you guessed it — hot dogs.
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