3 minute read
Otto’s Column
LOCAL HISTORY
Pond brothers desig ned str uctures in Ogle Count y
By OTTO DICK
Irving D. and Allen B. Pond were born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They attended the University of Michigan studying architecture.
They were founding members of the Cliff Dwellers Club of Chicago and the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony.
They designed several buildings in Chicago and built student unions on the campuses of Purdue University, University of Michigan, Michigan State and the University of Kansas.
They were interested in the arts and crafts areas and inserted art into their buildings. The Pond brothers were part of the artists’ scene in Chicago that included Lorado Taft, Bert Leston Taylor, Jane Adams and Harriet Monroe.
They combined art and architecture in the period after the Great Chicago Fire. This was called the Arts and Crafts Style Architecture.
Frank Lowden and the Pond brothers were friends. They designed the Lorado Taft Midway studio located at Hyde Park, Illinois, in 1909, Lowden’s mansion at Sinnissippi Farms in 1906, the Oregon Public Library in 1909 and Taft’s Soldiers’ Monument in 1916.
We have a statement from Pond and Pond to Frank Lowden detailing the costs of his mansion at $89,290. Pond’s architectural fee was $5,634.80.
The Oregon Public Library is a fine example of the Arts and Crafts Architecture drawn by Pond and Pond. This Andrew Carnegie Library was built in 1908 by M. D. Smith of Dixon.
The second floor gallery was used for public exhibitions and lectures.
Lorado Taft persuaded fellow artists to donate over 50 works to the Oregon Public Library as a permanent collection.
These paintings and sculptures are now located in the library gallery. The library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 9, 2003. 1n 1916, Pond and Pond designed the excedra for Taft’s Monument on the Ogle County Courthouse lawn.
Above the built-in benches behind the three Taft statues and on the back of the exedra walls are bronze plaques honoring veterans who served in the Civil War, Mexican War, War of 1812,
Images provided by Otto Dick Irving and Allen Pond (above) were brothers who designed the Soldiers Monument with Lorado Taft. They also designed the Lowden mansion (lower left) and the Oregon Library (below).
Spanish American War and World War I. So Pond and Pond and Taft worked together to create this monument. • Otto Dick is a retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
Orders being taken for new book about Chana’s sesquicentennial
A new book about Chana’s sesquicentennial is underway.
Reservations are now being taken to reserve a copy of this 200+ page book that celebrates Chana’s 150 years.
It will include a collection of early Chana/ Pine Rock history, the 1971 Centennial and 1996 Festival.
It will be filled with original photos of people, places, and events up to 2022 and contains new research and discovered nuggets of history.
The cost is $40 per copy and reservations are now being taken for the first edition copies intended to be available at the Chana School in Chana on June 11-12.
For more information, message Kathy Jacobs Heather on Facebook or email Heather at klhonlyme@yahoo. com.
“If you cannot attend the festivities we can mail it to you with a $5 shipping fee or can arrange a pickup spot somewhere. Hurry you don’t want to miss this,” Heather said.
Open Show at Ogle County Fair is open to adults, too!
The show competition at the Ogle County Fair isn’t just for kids. Adults are encouraged to show off their talents and expertise in the annual Open Show and maybe win a cash premium in the process.
Residents of Ogle County and surrounding counties who are age 21 and older are eligible to enter the Open Show. Categories include Fruits & Vegetables, Floriculture, Beekeeping, Clothing, Craft, Photography, Quilting, Painting & Drawing, and Foods, as well as the Open Horse Show.
The 168th Ogle County Fair will be held from Wednesday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 7, at the fairgrounds, 1440 N. Limekiln Rd., one mile west of Oregon just north of Illinois 64.
The deadline to enter the Open Show is midnight on Saturday, June 18.
