Tripp School

The Tripp School in Vernon Township was located on the east side of Route 21, one mile north of Deerfield Road. It was located in this general location from the 1840s to 1979.

The original Tripp School was a log house built as a dwelling at the "back" of the Francis Tripp farm. The students sat on benches, the older children having a bench and a desk, and the heat source was a fireplace at one end of the building.

On August 15, 1848, Tripp sold a small portion of his land along Route 21 to the school district for $10.

Parents paid 50 cents per scholar/per term to send their children to the school. The teacher, generally female, was paid from this money.



In 1912, the school's frame building was lifted and a basement put under it, an entryway added and a furnace installed. The remodeled school is shown below in 1918.


Interior view of the Tripp School's classroom, 1918.


A map of Vernon Township was drawn by Tripp School students in 1918. The communities of Half Day, Prairie View and Aptakisic are shown, now all absorbed into Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove. The Tripp School is indicated at the bottom right. Note there are four other schools on the map, all within a few miles of each other.

In 1912, there were 92 one-room schools in the county. But by this time, the popularity of the “rural” schools was waning in favor of larger, more completely equipped schools with teachers specializing in subject areas rather than one teacher teaching all subject areas. Some of the one-room schools had as few as ten students, and it was considered cheaper to bus them a few miles down the road to the larger “central” schools than to maintain smaller, separate schools.

Seventh and eighth graders of the Tripp School, 1918, are from left to right: Ruth Rockenbach, Louis Steen, Lillian Seiler, Maudesse Nitzer, and Molly Seiler.

The Tripp School continued until 1957 when it was consolidated into Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary School District 102. For a time the historic building was used as an American Legion hall, but in 1978 it was scheduled to be burned for firefighting practice by the Vernon Fire Protection District.

Thankfully, a group of concerned local citizens rallied to save this chapter of their community's heritage. In 1979, the building was re-located by William Boyd and Phil Spinuzza, and is now being used as an antiques shop at the Sale Barn Square antiques center at 971 N. Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21) in Wheeling.

The history written and photographed by the Tripp School's scholars in 1918 and in the Dunn Museum's collections is hosted at the Illinois Digital Archives: Tripp School Online

Essanay Studios

One of the motion picture industries earliest studios, Essanay Studios, was co-founded by Highland Park, Illinois resident, George K. Spoor (1871-1953). 

George Spoor in his office at Essanay Studios, Chicago. Amet Collection, Dunn Museum.

Spoor had co-managed the Phoenix Opera House in Waukegan, and from about 1895-1899 managed the business end of inventor Edward Amet's motion picture interests. In 1907, Spoor and cowboy actor/director “Broncho Billy” Anderson, opened Essanay Studios at 1333-45 W. Argyle Street in Chicago. 

"Essanay" was the phonetic spelling of the founders' initials S & A, for Spoor and Anderson. The studio produced hundreds of films, featuring stars such as Francis X. Bushman, Beverly Bayne, Gloria Swanson, Charlie Chaplin and Max Linder. The Studio's "Indian" head logo, seen in the photo below, was designed by Spoor's sister, Mary Louise. The photo shows the Studio's entrance on Argyle and an unknown starlet.

Essanay Studio's entrance on Argyle Street in Chicago. Amet Collection, Dunn Museum.

A collection of Essanay's lantern slides were donated to the Bess Bower Dunn Museum (formerly Lake County Discovery Museum) in 1964. They are a remarkable glimpse into early motion picture history and the beginnings of American cinematic culture.

Francis X. Bushman (1883-1966) was one of Essanay's top stars. At the peak of his career, this matinee idol was described as the "Handsomest man in the world."

The slide above is for the 1915 film, “Graustark,” starring Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne. Directed by Fred E. Wright, it was one of Essanay’s most popular movies. Dunn Museum, Dunlap Collection 64.32.5.1.

Bushman was often photographed in profile for publicity stills to accentuate his good looks. He is also remembered for his role on CBS radio's soap opera "Those We Love" which aired from 1938-1945.

Another colorful lantern slide is from the 1916 film, “Vultures of Society,” directed by E.H. Calvert, and starring Lillian Drew and E.H. Calvert. Note the Essanay logo in this slide and others. Dunn Museum, Dunlap Collection 64.32.34.

In 1917, W.S. Van Dyke directed “Land of Long Shadows,” starring Jack Gardner and Ruth King. Dunn Museum, Dunlap Collection 64.32.34.

There were several Jack Gardner film stars, so it is sometimes difficult to credit the correct one. This one is possibly the stage actor who was married to popular actress, Louise Dresser. The "mountain man" attire looks stereotypical, but is perfect for this silent-era western. I also love the braided rug at his feet. Braided rugs were a pioneer development and a necessity of frontier living, making it an authentic prop for this movie. It is interesting to note that braided rugs were popularized as home decor with the Arts & Crafts Movement of the 1880s to 1910s, and would've been a familiar household accessory at the time the movie was made.

One of the more curious productions by Essanay, produced between late 1917 and February 1918, was an autobiographical film written by and starring, Mary MacLane. Dunn Museum, Dunlap Collection 64.32.10.

I was initially drawn to this slide by its Arts and Crafts motif with the hand drawn pastoral landscape and floral border. After scanning and enlarging the slide, my attention shifted to the title of the film, "Men Who Have Made Love to Me."

For her day, Mary MacLane (1881-1929) was a controversial, feminist writer and was considered “wild and out of control." The movie is now believed lost, so we can only wonder about its content though it was probably far less risquee than the title implies. A surviving cast list gives some insight with Mary MacLane as "Herself" and other character names such as: the callow youth, the bank clerk, the prize fighter, and the husband of another.

Around 1916, Essanay Studios relocated to California along with many other film studios. It went out of business about 1918.

If you liked this post, you may enjoy reading about George K. Spoor's sister, children's book illustrator, Mollie Spoor Brand. 

"Hale and Hearty" Clark Corser

This charming old-timer is Clark Corser (1817-1909), an early settler of Benton Township.

Clark and his parents, Nathaniel and Martha, and siblings set out from Vermont by covered wagon in 1831. They first settled in Indiana and then came to Benton Township, Lake County between 1838 and 1840. Clark was one of the county's first land purchasers, and spent his life as a farmer.

In 1850, Clark joined the California Gold Rush and spent a year there before returning home. Clark married Louisa Rachel Daniels of Caledonia, Wisconsin on October 30, 1851. Together they built two homes in the area of 33rd Street and Sand Ridge Road (now Sheridan Road), near the Dickertown School, and raised a family. After Louisa died in 1898, Clark lived with his oldest son, Robert, and youngest daughter, Mary, who was divorced.

Clark was to be the editor of the history of Benton Township for John Halsey's "A History of Lake County, Illinois" published in 1912. He passed away in 1909 before completing his work. He is buried next to his wife in Lake Mound Cemetery in Zion.

In 1918, children at the Dickertown School of Zion wrote their community's history, including a remembrance of Clark Corser: "He was hale and hearty, able to walk to Zion or dance a jig. He is well remembered by many of the children now in the upper grades."

Based on the congenial portrait of Clark, I'd bet that was a mighty fine jig.

Deck the Fort with Boughs of Holly

It's no surprise that the U.S. Army Post at Fort Sheridan had a bounty of decorations at the holidays. It was home to military families, and a home away from home for many servicemen and women.

In this circa 1914 photograph, Building 47 is festooned with a Christmas tree and what appear to be gifts. The haphazard way in which the tree is decorated looks like someone threw a roll of toilet paper at it, but the garland may be a string of popcorn. Note the dumb bells and pins on the racks on either side of the stage, an indication of this building's dual use as a gymnasium and theater.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there." Excerpted from Clement Clarke Moore's poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Minimal decorations for the Signal Corps in the midst of the war in 1944. Standing with their Christmas stockings in Building 33 are from left to right: William Quada, Harold Foust, and Richard Freeman. This building served as a stockade from 1890 to 1970 when it became the Post Museum.

Decorations at Building 48, circa 1965. This building flanks the Fort's 169-foot Tower, and was constructed in 1890 as barracks, and later was used for Lovell General Hospital and headquarters' offices. The miniature replica of the Tower in the photograph was used on parade floats.

Soldiers putting up the holiday lights on the Tower, December 8, 1965.







The results of the all the hard work. A colorful light display, highlighting the Fort's most prominent architectural feature.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Santa is such an iconic figure in our culture that he is even represented in the Museum's Fort Sheridan photo collection.

Here, members of the Women's Army Corps receive cartons of Old Gold and Pall Mall cigarettes from Santa and his helper, circa 1945.






The side of the Pall Mall carton reads: "So Round so Firm So Fully Packed So Free and Easy on the Draw."

At right, this terrific, eclectic mix of holiday decorations, including Santa, decked out the Smith home on Bolles Loop, circa 1965.

Season's Greetings from the Fifth U.S. Army. The Fifth Army was headquartered at Fort Sheridan from 1965-1971. The toy soldiers flanking Santa are a nice touch for an Army post's Christmas decorations.

For more on the history of Fort Sheridan: Fort Sheridan military lesson plans and photo cards.

Lake Michigan in Winter

This is one of my favorite views of Lake Michigan. 

It's a colorized postcard of the Waukegan shoreline made by the E.C. Kropp Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

I use this circa 1910 image in my lectures on Lake County history, usually when speaking about the last Ice Age that ended around 12,000 years ago. That's the "truth of art." You use what you can to illustrate a point, even if it's not quite accurate. 

Ken Burns did that expertly in his Civil War series, and kudos to him for bringing that moment in American history to life for us all. 

This 1899 photograph shows a fishing tug frozen in Waukegan harbor. Lake Michigan was a vital part of Lake County's development and economic growth, from the 1840s. Winter ice build-up in the harbor could cause mayhem for even the most experienced sailors and fishermen.

In 1963, the News-Sun reported that five fishing tugs were frozen in the ice a mile off shore. Lucky for them, within a day they broke through, unlike Ernest Shackleton's harrowing 1914-1916 Antarctic expedition.
Large chunks of windrow ice are visible in this 1913 photograph of the harbor and lighthouse. This photo is credited to E.W. Plonien. During a normal winter, 17 to 29 inches of ice grows in sheltered harbors and bays on Lake Michigan.

Break water, looking north from lighthouse, Waukegan, January, 1947.

The ice formations along the lakeshore are quite remarkable. It's worth a trip to the Waukegan harbor in mid-winter to see the frozen waves over the docks and piers.

Going to the Chapel

When planning an exhibition, the museum's collections staff consider which archival materials and objects will best tell the story, and often choose an item based on how recently it has been displayed.

For the current exhibition on World War II, "Keep 'Em Flying: How the Homefront Helped the Frontlines," staff wanted to feature at least one wedding dress. The exhibit was a great opportunity to showcase a beautiful dress from the museum's textile collection. In the end, two wedding dresses and a woman's Red Cross uniform jacket were chosen.

The exhibition's focus is to highlight a grant project digitizing tens of thousands of World War II images from the collections. The majority of the images are postcards made by the Curt Teich Company between 1941-1945. A selection of about 200 of these postcards are featured in the exhibition, along with Civilian Defense booklets, and photographs from Fort Sheridan.

Exhibiting textiles takes special preparation, and may require mending or steaming. Shown here is collections assistant, Deanna Tyler, steaming Marcelline Czernik's wedding dress with distilled water. The process took several hours in order to proceed with the utmost care, and to make the dress as presentable as it was on the wedding day. Note that Deanna is wearing a white cotton glove on the hand touching the dress. This prevents the transfer of oil from her hand onto the fabric.

Marcelline Czernik married her high school sweetheart, Chester Vasofsky, on January 22, 1944, as seen in their wedding photo below. The bride purchased an off-the-rack dress at the Globe Department Store in downtown Waukegan. With the war raging, it was the only style available.

After steaming, Marcelline's dress and veil were placed on a museum quality mannequin. Archival tissue was used to fill out the dress's shape. The dress is shown on display in the World War II exhibition (below).












As staff was preparing one dress for exhibition, another war-time bride's story came to light as a museum exhibits intern told of her grandmother's wedding dress made from a parachute. After inquiries, it was confirmed that the dress had a unique Lake County story to tell, and the family was willing to donate it to the museum's permanent collection. The timing was perfect to be included in the exhibition. The unique nylon dress (below) needed some steaming before being dressed on a mannequin and put on display.

Carol Rosalie Kirkpatrick (left) on her wedding day at the First Baptist Church in Waukegan, on September 6, 1947. Her dress was made from a parachute that her fiance, John Smelcer, sent home while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The white nylon parachute was fashioned into a bridal gown by the bride’s mother. It was fairly common for servicemen to send pieces of parachutes to loved ones back home, but rare to send the whole thing.

Both wedding dresses are on display through January, 2009.

(Since making this post, the exhibit's closing date has been changed to May 3, 2009).