A Wedding: Robert Altman Film with a Lake Bluff Backdrop

Legendary director Robert Altman’s 1978 comedic film was shot almost exclusively over an eight-week period in the Lester Armour estate in Lake Bluff. The then-owner, Alexandra Armour, his widow, initi...

Deerpath Inn Fire: "Too Much Headway to be Stopped"

On the morning of July 6, 1938, flames engulfed the entire top floor of the Deer Path Inn. One newspaper called it the "worst fire in Lake Forest's history." According to accounts published in the Lak...

Lake Forest Hosts the World Series - Of Polo

In August, 1933, the Onwentsia Club hosted an event that pitted the best polo players of the eastern and western United States against each other in a best-of-three series. Dubbed “the World Seri...

Tradition and Celebration: Lake Forest Day

The first Lake Forest Day in 1908 included a hot air balloon ascension, a cutest baby contest, a mind reading dog and a vaudeville show. Proceeds from the event, organized by the Lake Forest Woman’s C...

Lake Bluff Fourth of July Parade: In a Wagon!

In 1911 Lake Bluff Village President John Howard appointed a committee to arrange the first July 4th celebration. It featured a parade from Village Hall to the lakefront park, commencing at 8:30 a.m.;...

Lake Forest Entertains Royalty: The Crown Prince of Sweden

The Crown Prince Gustavus Adolphus and Princess Louise of Sweden visited Lake Forest on June 25, 1926. The royal party traveled up from Chicago to Great Lakes Naval Station by motor yacht, and then dr...

An Impressive Ceremony': Market Square Flagpole Dedication, 1917

World War I provided an opportunity for Market Square, built in 1916, to truly become the town center. On December 2, 1917 at 3 p.m. the Market Square flagpole was raised and dedicated, by troops and...

Did Abraham Lincoln Visit Lake Forest?

Answer: Probably not.Few American historical figures of 150 years ago have had their movements better documented than Abraham Lincoln. In late March, 1860, Lincoln was working as a lawyer while prepar...

A Princely Visit: The Prince of Wales Tours Lake Forest, 1924

On October 17, 1924, the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, arrived in Lake Forest by train. He was greeted at the station by over one thousand local residents. The Prince (1894-1972) was the guest o...

Halloween in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff: Tell Us Your Tricks and Treats

Hey Halloween lovers! Tell us about your your favorite costumes over time. Homemade vs. store bought? What were the trends? How has trick or treating changed? Where did you go to get spooked - haunted...