Centennial madness: Things really started hopping in 1898 for Lake Forest. We know this because three quite different organizations are staging centennial celebrations this year.
Ragdale, a 21-year-old nationally renowned artist retreat that is housed in the former home of architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, is hosting a benefit birthday party on May 30 to commemorate 100 years since Shaw’s completion of his house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
During a spring fair on that same day, Lake Forest’s Church of the Holy Spirit starts celebrating the 100th anniversary of services that led to the Episcopal church’s formation.
And Lake Forest Library begins its centennial year with a big bash on May 31 that includes a visit by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Lisa Mueller and other authors.
Indeed, Lake Forest WAS “heating” up then, according to Lake Forest College archivist Arthur Miller, who is an expert on the city’s history and homes.
“Another centennial this year is the City Hall (built 100 years ago), which is related to the library. The town library was started on the second floor, upstairs of the city chambers,” he said.
“The big reason things were jumping here was the opening of Onwentsia Club in 1895,” he added. “That started pulling people west of the (Chicago & North Western) train tracks.”