When growing up, I lived near a castle, one I could easily walk to or ride my bike. And thinking about it, that was amazing, considering I also fell in love with tales of kings and queens, only to discover there was a real live queen, who had my name: Elizabeth.
BUT A CASTLE? Really? Yes. Here’s the story…
I grew up in the Beverly neighborhood, part of the southern end of the city of Chicago. A man named Robert C. Givins, who was a successful real estate developer, decided to live out his dream and build a castle on the HILL, that is part of the area’s ecological history.
Givens and his ego, certainly knew what to do, the location of the castle being on the highest point in the city of Chicago. But how can that be?
The castle is situated on part of the Blue Island Ridge, geological remnant of a prehistoric glacial island and a former lake shore. This history made the Beverly area uniquely “hilly”…compared to the mostly flat Chicago landscape. And for those who know more about early land formations, the Blue Island Ridge’s distinct geology and strategic location along the Vincennes Trace attracted early settlers, shaping the area’s development and thus the reason the area was called Beverly Hills. (No relation to the Beverly Hills in California.)
FUN FACTS
The official name of this edifice is B. Givins’ Beverly Castle, built in 1886. It is unique because it is the ONLY castle structure in the city of Chicago. And it was modeled after an Irish castle…which makes perfect sense, many of the families in the area being of Irish extraction when I was growing up. Through the years, the castle has been used in different ways. Though initially a private residence, when I was growing up, it functioned as a church and is now a school.
Landmarks in a community always make them unique. They become a marker for the world you live in.
“On we’re easy to find, our house is just up the hill from the castle.”
Landmarks such as this also provide amazing material for local artists, Jack Simerling being one of them. The painting of THE CASTLE was done by Mr. Simmerling, who for many residents was considered Beverly’s artist. He developed a passion for historic Chicago architecture and the finely detailed architectural elements found in stately old homes.
He was dismayed by the destruction of residences such as the Potter Palmer Castle and many of the fine homes in what would become the Prairie Avenue Historic District of Chicago. Thus, he worked to preserve these homes through through his paintings before they were demolished. And in 1958, Simmerling opened The Heritage Gallery, which is now located on 103rd Street in Beverly. His daughter, Vicki, continues the business to this day.
The Simmerling Family actually owned the historic Blackwelder House on South Prospect Avenue in Morgan Park, a premier examples of Victorian-era architecture in the Beverly/Morgan Park area. Jack’s love of art and history expanded as he rescued antiques and architectural ornaments from many older Chicago homes.
Simmerling’s works and a collection of architecture are on display at the Glessner House Museum. A National Historic Landmark, the Glessner House Museum is located on the corner of South Prairie Avenue and East 18th Street in Chicago.
Thanks to our daughter Caroline and her husband Ben, we know how a print of a Jack Simmerling and THE CASTLE in our home.
9 Responses
What fun. It looks so beautiful and love that print. What a thoughtful gift.
Thanks, Laurie…the castle has been a landmark in Beverly even since it was built!!
Beth, as you know I lived “just down the hill” from the. Castle. Seeing it everyday was just part of my route to school. I sent my son to pre-school there and ended up years later having my daughter’s wedding shower there. Great fun and memories.
Hi Karen!! I love all the connections that you have with THE CASTLE. I have never even been inside. But as I wrote, we now have
the Simmerling painting in our home, which makes the connection even stronger. Hugs, Beth
Such an interesting building in an unexpected location!
Thanks for reading, Joy. It is a wonderful addition to our neighborhood, as you can imagine.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Joy
I remember this structure ! We always thought it was so cool. I look drama classes there and participated in small plays.
A girl from our class from Christ the King went to Loring (??) school housed there. Thanks for the memories!
Hi Mimi THANK YOU FOR READING AND POSTING. IT MEANS A LOT, Beth