Last updated: June 6, 2024
Place
Lake Shore Country Club
Olmsted Archives
Quick Facts
In 1908, with the idea of building a private place for spending leisure time, a group of prominent Chicago-area families joined together to purchase land in Glencoe, Illinois, about twenty-five miles north of Chicago. Glencoe was a rural village connected to Chicago by train, which made developing in the area attractive to those who desired a quiet place away from the city to relax, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors.
One year after that idea became a reality when 127 acres of mostly muddy scrubland was purchased. John Charles and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. were hired to develop the property and worked with the architect to ensure didn’t obtrude onto the landscape but matched perfectly.
The Olmsted’s were heavily involved in the planting treatment of the overall property, and the intention of their design was to make visitors more conscious of their natural surroundings. The Clubhouse was built to maximize natural light, with large doors leading to an expansive terrace, with views of a vast lawn and Lake Michigan.
Source: "History," Lake Shore Country Club
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
One year after that idea became a reality when 127 acres of mostly muddy scrubland was purchased. John Charles and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. were hired to develop the property and worked with the architect to ensure didn’t obtrude onto the landscape but matched perfectly.
The Olmsted’s were heavily involved in the planting treatment of the overall property, and the intention of their design was to make visitors more conscious of their natural surroundings. The Clubhouse was built to maximize natural light, with large doors leading to an expansive terrace, with views of a vast lawn and Lake Michigan.
Source: "History," Lake Shore Country Club
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr