If you have ever wanted to travel back in time, then we encourage you to visit Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest. The site of the historic U.S. Army post (1887– 1993) holds national significance for its landscape and architecture design, and for the preparation and training of American soldiers for military service.
ESTABLISHED IN 1887 , the Fort was developed during an era of national policy change that marked the end of temporary frontier posts in favor of permanent garrisons. This coincided with national economic
workers and police injured. This
commanding General of the Army
was one of several instances when
from 1883 to 1888.
federal troops were called, ultimately motivating the Commercial Club of Chicago to petition for a permanent military garrison near the city to
volatility and labor unrest.
protect their interests. Among the
In July 1877, Chicago workers joined
George M. Pullman (1831–1897),
the nationwide Great Railroad Strike.
businessman Marshall Field (1834–
Police and militia were brought in
1906), U.S. Senator Charles B.
to disperse the crowds of workers,
Farwell (1823–1903), and General
resulting in violent clashes, the deaths
Philip H. Sheridan (1831–1888), the
of some 30 workers, and dozens of
Civil War cavalry general and the
Club’s membership were industrialist
A 632-acre site 25 miles north of Chicago in Highwood was selected and named Camp at Highwood. The location along the shore of Lake Michigan had access to railroads and lake shipping, and landforms of “value to infantry and cavalry training.” The Club facilitated the purchase and then donated the land to the federal government.
ABOVE: Postcard circa 1918 of troops drilling on the parade grounds, designed by Ossian C. Simonds, and the tower and barracks, designed by Holabird and Roche. ABOUT THIS FEATURE: All images used in this article are part of the Bess Bower Dunn Museum's Fort Sheridan collection. Article author, Diana Dretske, is curator of the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. LCFPD.org/Museum . LAK E COUNTY FOR E ST PRE S E RVES
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