In the 1920s, Lake Forest became a destination for many of Chicago’s wealthy, exhibiting country clubs, polo fields, and the beautiful bluffs that lay above Lake Michigan, where one couple sought out their weekend escape.
The Establishment of Villa Turicum
East Westleigh Road is home to many beautiful Lake Forest residences, though a century ago, there laid Villa Turicum—an estate that exhibited gardens, notable architectural features and incredible lakefront views. It was built for The Renegade Rockefeller, Edith Rockefeller McCormick.
Edith Rockefeller McCormick was one of the most profound American socialites of her time. As the daughter of Standard Oil Co-Founder John D. Rockefeller and wife of Harold F. McCormick, son of the inventor of the Mechanical Reaper, she was known as the Queen of Chicago’s Elite.
The McCormick couple established residency in Chicago, as well as their country estate, the notable summer home in Lake Forest. Villa Turicum was once one of the most magnificent estates in the United States. The plateau was seated on the bluffs of Lake Michigan, as Villa Turicum translates to “settlement on the water.” It layed just south of Walden.
An Italian Inspiration
The renowned property was known for its architectural advancement at the time. The couple bought the property for two million dollars, and then spent seven million to build the estate— equivalent to about $200 million today.
The 300 acre estate was originally designed by architect Charles A. Platt between 1908 and 1912 and featured Italian designed structures surrounded by expansive fields, gardens, bowling greens, stables, polo fields, and terraces, inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
The stucco exterior and tiled roof of the estate was exhibited at the end of a long stretch of entrance road through a vast forest, filled with native oak, ash and hickory trees.
The eastern terrace extended down to a beach, with a large marble fountain centered. Winding steps, terraces and ramps were marked by beautiful sculptures cascading from the main house. The Roman-inspired gardens featured water lily ponds, gravel walkways, bronze statues and charming pavilions.
The residence’s interior exhibited state of the art marble and tile floors, water features, paintings and intricate detailing. The carriage residences and servants’ quarters were enclosed by large stucco walls and towering oak trees.
The estate existed just off of today’s Circle Lane in Lake Forest, tucked back off of Westleigh Road. Though today, all that remains are stone structures leading off of the bluff.
Loss of the Lavish Estate
The story states that Edith Rockefeller McCormick left the estate amidst her divorce with Harold Fowler McCormick. The pair was living two separate lives, during their marriage. Edith was living in Switzerland while Harold remained in downtown Chicago.
Their children alternated between each parent for the remainder of the decade. Following their divorce in 1921, Edith never returned to the estate, though its servants continued to keep the property running for years, awaiting her return.
After Edith’s death at The Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago in 1932, the estate that had once exhibited 44 beautiful rooms and 15 baths, had been burdened with financial troubles, including property taxes and debts. Villa Turicum became abandoned, and suffered vandalization across many years.
After the abandonment of the state, the property was demolished and Villa Turicum was eventually sold into subdivisions to wealthy Lake Forest families. The original garden, including the terraced lakefront and sculpted landscapes, have been preserved and restored by current owners, though only ruins remain today.
Edith Rockefeller McCormick was said to have lived a luxurious life in incredible wealth, though she contributed charitable efforts towards arts and education causes. She is said to have suffered with depression till the end of her years, her life ending tragically, similar to that of her beloved villa.
Despite McCormick’s wealth and influence, her story echoes Lake Forest’s Gilded Age. Although her estate no longer remains in full, her legacy lives on and her story reminds the community of the ambition and magnificence that helped shape Lake Forest into what it is today. Villa Turicum’s presence exists further than history will ever tell, east of Sheridan Road.
