Chicago Area

We conclude the Chicago area sites with two classics. The first was a residence in Libertyville IL that is now known as the Cuneo Museum and Gardens. It was originally the Samuel Insul estate built in 1916. Insul made his fortune as creator of Commonwealth Edison and Peoples Gas, as well as head of the RTA … Continue reading »

Built in 1884, the Mineola Hotel in Fox Lake IL. was originally a private club for a few members of the Chicago Board of Trade. It was sold in 1891 and remodeled. The veranda was designed by the same architect who did the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. During Prohibition the Mineola was  a hangout … Continue reading »

For November and December we will be viewing Chicago area sites beginning  with a church, The Lake Street Church (formerly First Baptist Church) is located in central Evanston IL. It opened in 1875 and continues to be Evanston’s oldest public building. The church has all original woodwork, windows, and pews. The pulpit contains wood from the 1814 White House roof. It … Continue reading »

The Gross Point Lighthouse in northern Evanston IL was built in 1873. For well over a century it has helpled ensure the safety of waterborne traffic and has acted as a vital link in connecting the Great Lakes with the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Seaboard. It still contains the original second-order Fresnel lens, the … Continue reading »

Located in Wilmette one mile north of the Gross Point Lighthouse and on the same street, the Bahai House of Worship was started in 1921 but not dedicated until 1953. Construction of the beautiful nine-sided structure was delayed by the Great Depression and then World War II. It is seen here under construction in a 1930 photo … Continue reading »