Stonghold Castle
Stronghold Castle was the realized
dream of Walter A. Strong.
He had it built as a summer home for him and his
family in 1928. The original housewarming
took place on Thanksgiving in 1929. Mrs. Strong's
brother was Maurice Webster, who
was the architect for the project. The castle consists
of twenty-five rooms, sixteen of which
are bedrooms and nine are bathrooms. It has a swimming
pool, tennis court, and toboggan tower.
Unfortunately, Walter was only able to enjoy his
new home for one summer (in 1930).
He died of a heart attack at the age of 47 in May
of 1931. After the death of Mrs. Strong in
1961, the home was sold to the Presbyterian Camping
Associaton.
For more information contact:
- Stonghold
- P.O. Box 199 Oregon, Illinois 61061
- 815/732-6111
John Deere Home / Museum in Grand Detour
John Deere migrated to Grand Detour,
Illinois, from his home state of Vermont
in 1836. He was the first to successfully invent
the "self polishing steel plow", before that time plows
were made of iron.
What was so special about the steel plow was its
ability to plow through sticky prairie soil
without clinging. This was not only due to the steel
share with sharp edge and highly polished
mold board, but also to its particular shape, another
innovative idea by John Deere.
At the Smithsonian Institute there is an exibit
of an old plow, identified as having been made in
Grand Detour in 1838 by John Deere.
The original home that has been restored and the
replica blacksmith shop are open to the public for tours.
For more information contact:
- John Deere Historic Site
- 8393 South Main (Grand Detour)
- Dixon, Illinois 61021-9406
- 815/652-4551
- Return to Ogle County links
- Return to Ogle
Co. Genealogy Site
