Durand/Smith estate, Deerpath, Lake Forest, Illinois--Arbor

Lake Forest (Ill.)

Gardens Illinois

This view displays a garden allee or arbor, dating from ca. 1900 and situated on the estate that was the Henry Clay Durands' after 1875 and by 1901 the Franklin P. Smiths', on the southwest corner of Deerpath and Mayflower Road. The original Henry C. Durand property extended from the east side of the ravine boundary with the College's North Campus around the corner east and then south on Mayflower To Spring Lane. Early in the 20th C. both the western and southern portions of this estate were subdivided off (Lake Forest University and the Drummonds, respectively). This arbor and garden may have been on the site of a future (late 1920s) English cottage at the corner for the Smiths' daughter Daisiana and her first spouse. The white-painted iron arches appear to be spaced about thirty or so feet from each other at regular intervals, covered with climbing roses.  The width of the allee is perhaps fifteen feet.  A narrow path of single flagstones follows a straight line under the succession of about six arches.  If this allee is aligned east to west, then there are gardens north and south of it.  Three elms are in the background, perhaps at Mayflower Road on the east.  At the half way point there is what may be a sun dial, and this may mark the intersection with a perpendicular garden path from north to south.  Donated by Carol Blomquist with a group of Durand/Smith estate photos received by her from the late Daisiana Smith Giles.

ca. 1900-1910

Still image

eng