Do You Know What Historical Building This is in Lake Forest?
Art Miller provides the correct answer: Dickinson Seminary. See his explanation in the comments section of the article.
Art Miller correctly recognized the building to be Dickinson Seminary.
But then we would expect Art to know this as he is a well-known historian of the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff area. So thank you, Art, for lending your expertise.
According to Laurie Stein from the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society, which provided the photo, "he Dickinson Seminary for Young Ladies, which operated from 1859 to 1867 under the auspices of Rev. Baxter Dickinson. It was located in the southeast corner of what are now College and Washington roads. According to local historian Edward Arpee, the building was later used as a dormitory both by Lake Forest College and by Lake Forest Academy, eventually was moved, and portions of it were ultimately incorporated into a home on Mayflower Road."
Thanks to those who entered their guesses and comments. Look for another photo this coming Sunday, and see if you can provide the correct answer. You have to register on the site in order to leave a comment or guess on the photo.
What is your favorite building in Lake Forest? Tell us in comments.
Tell us in the comments.
Tara May Tesimu
3:12 pm on Sunday, November 7, 2010
I really have no idea, but I'm going to take a wild guess. Is it the Gorton Community Center? Can't wait to see the answer Monday!
Coni Carfagno
9:08 am on Monday, November 8, 2010
Ferry Hall
Arthur H. Miller
9:14 am on Monday, November 8, 2010
This photo appears in the "rare" 2004 printing of Lake Forest: Estates, People and Culture by Arthur H. Miller and Shirley M. Paddock (Arcadia), p. 19 bottom. It replaced in that one reprinting, later removed, another view from the same shoot no doubt, showing only the Rev. Baxter Dickinson, in front of his school, 1859-67. This may date from the period of other 1866 photos locally, one of the Holts and some of the Dickinsons next to the Holts' house (pp. 20-21). The Dickinson Seminary for Young Ladies was located on the southeast corner of College and Washington Roads, until it was moved ca. 1899 to make room for the two houses by Frost & Granger there now, built for children of Calvin Durand. This women's preparatory school served about four hundred women prior to its demise in 1867 and the founding of Ferry Hall (merged into Lake Forest Academy in the 1970s) in 1869. See also 30 Miles North: A History of Lake Forest College, Its Town and Its City of Chicago by Franz Schulze, Rosemary Cowler, and Arthur H. Miller (2000), p. 18.
Arthur H. Miller
9:19 am on Monday, November 8, 2010
As the 2004 caption indicates, the Rev. Baxter Dickinson is shown upper left, with the others including very likely his four daughter/instructors and some of the students. The students' names are not nown, but some of the new women members of the Presbyterian Church in the period very likely were students.
Jim Powers
1:42 pm on Monday, November 8, 2010
You are so right, Art. Thanks for lending your expertise on this photo. According to Laurie Stein at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society, "The Dickinson Seminary for Young Ladies, which operated from 1859 to 1867 under the auspices of Rev. Baxter Dickinson. It was located in the southeast corner of what are now College and Washington roads. According to local historian Edward Arpee, the building was later used as a dormitory both by Lake Forest College and by Lake Forest Academy, eventually was moved, and portions of it were ultimately incorporated into a home on Mayflower Road."
Fred Henshaw
1:08 pm on Monday, November 8, 2010
I of couse do not have a clue, since I do not live any where near your beautiful city. I live in Battle Creek Michigan, but I love reading your news paper. I have known Jim Powers for a number of years. He is a very nice person, and I enjoy being and talking to him, about all the things that are going on in his life, so I am interested in this news paper and enjoy reading about what is going on with you people. I am a 77 year old man, and love reading history of the world and the cities of our country. So keep up the good work, and thanks for letting me enjoy what is going on in your city. Fred Henshaw
Jim Powers
2:25 pm on Monday, November 8, 2010
Fred,
Thanks for your kind words and interest in the history of this amazing community. Your words mean much to me. Thanks again!