Historical Photo Guessing Game: Lake Forest Crossing Is Bluff’s Edge Bridge

Sorry for the delay in getting the answer posted.

This is indeed a 1906 photo of Bluff’s Edge Bridge in Lake Forest, which today features a Norway Spruce tree that is one of the largest trees in Lake Forest’s Walden Ravine.

Thanks, Gail, for noting the historical reference in your comment.

The photograph was taken from the Witness Tree Book, which has been produced during Lake Forest's 150th anniversary. The book is available online at www.lf150.com, the , the , or the

The bridge was part of a famous estate in Lake Forest around the turn of the 1900s. According to the Witness Tree Book, Cyrus and Harriet McCormick, Jr’s landscape plan for their 80-acre Walden estate was done by landscape architect Warren Manning in the late 1890’s.

The bridge remains viable today. However, it was targeted for demolition in the 1990s after being shut down in the early 1970s due to failing condition. However, the Historic Preservation Commission and the city stepped in together and found the funds to restore the bridge.

Thanks for your participation and feedback.

We'll be back with another historical posting on Sunday (July 31).