Over 150 years of monumental service!

Peter Troost Monument Company of Hillside, Illinois, was founded in 1879 by Frank and Henry Troost (pictured at left), who came to America from Belgium in 1868. Interestingly, the word “troost” means “to comfort” in Flemish, the language spoken in their region of Belgium.  The brothers got work as stone cutters in Chicago before moving to Forest Park (then called Harlem,) a move which was likely the result of the great Chicago fire in 1871.   They worked incredibly hard and were able to buy the property at 867 Des Plaines Avenue in Forest Park (pictured at right) for $545.  This would become the location of the first Troost Monument Company.

In 1894, Henry Troost sold his interest in the business to his brother, Frank Troost.  With his newfound independence, Frank ventured into other industries while continuing to run the monument business.  His pursuits included investments in cemeteries, banks and the Montello Granite Quarry in Montello, WI.

Frank Troost Sr’s eldest son, Peter Joseph, was the only Troost child to establish a lasting monument company.  He purchased the property at 4300 Roosevelt Road in Hillside in 1911, where the business is still located today, for $6000.  Peter’s two oldest sons, Michael and Frank, joined him in the business in the late 1910s.  Their younger brother, Peter W. joined later and made door-to-door sales calls in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton.  When Peter Troost Sr. died in 1937, the three brothers created the Peter Troost Monuments partnership.  Michael left shortly thereafter and Peter’s other brother and business partner, Frank, died in 1945.  Once Peter finished paying Frank’s widow for Frank’s share of the business, Peter was finally the sole owner.

Peter W. Troost (pictured at right) expanded the business in 1960 by buying All Saints Monument Company on River Road in Des Plaines.  Three years later, Peter’s son, Robert, came to work for the monument company to manage the cemetery side of the business.  In 1966, Peter’s youngest son, Frank, joined the business as well.  The company grew substantially over the next 45 years with Robert continuing to manage the cemeteries after Peter’s death and Frank managing the monument companies.  During that time, six cemeteries and twenty-eight monument companies were acquired.  In 2004, the partnership between Frank and Robert was amicably dissolved with Robert assuming full ownership of the cemeteries and Frank taking over the monument companies.

Today, Peter Troost Monument Company consists of twenty-eight locations in four states, making it the largest privately-owned monument company in the United States. Troost Monuments are also available through more than 150 funeral homes. We have several nationally recognized designers on staff and will carve your monument right here in our shop ensuring the headstone you purchase is the best it can be.  While cemetery memorials are still our primary focus, our product offerings have grown to include commemorative bronze plaques, engraved pavers, commercial signage, park benches and veterans memorials.

Lisa Troost Sottrel, the 5th generation of the Troost family, joined the business in 2000 and is now the company President.   She is committed to continuing the company traditions of growth, service, design and philanthropy well into the future.