Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground
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| Location | 1900 E Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, Illinois |
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| Area | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Built | 1860/1865 |
| Architect | Fugard and Thielbar |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Camp Meeting Cottages |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000429 |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 2005 |
The Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground is a special historic place in Des Plaines, Illinois. It's a church camp that has been around for a very long time. People have gathered here for over 160 years to share their Christian faith.
This camp is located at 1250 Campground Road. It's a place where history and nature come together.
Contents
A Place for Faith: How the Camp Started
The idea for the camp began in 1860. A group of Methodist leaders and business people wanted a place for annual "camp meetings." These were like big outdoor church gatherings. They chose a beautiful spot owned by Socrates Rand. It was right along the Des Plaines River.
One of the people involved was John L. Beveridge. He later became a war hero and the governor of Illinois. In 1865, after the US Civil War, more land was bought. This land was also from Mr. Rand. Since then, these meetings have happened every year without stopping.
Why This Location Was Perfect
The camp's location was chosen carefully. It was only about 16 miles from Chicago. This made it easy for people to travel there. The land was also next to a train line. This was the C&NW line. A popular road from Evanston, IL also passed by. Evanston is home to Northwestern University. All these things made it a great spot. It was perfect for people from the Midwest to gather. They could express their Christian faith outdoors.
Life at the Camp: Tents, Cottages, and Crowds
In the early years, the camp was like a giant tent city. Devout Methodists would set up their tents in the groves. They even built wooden walkways. A large open area was the main church space. Here, ministers and choirs would lead services. Sometimes, over 10,000 people would fill the groves.
A train station was later built right at the camp. This made it even easier for people from Chicago to visit. They no longer had to walk a mile from downtown Des Plaines. The old ticket booth from the train station is still there today. You can see it off Campground Road.
From Tents to Permanent Homes
By the mid-1860s, people got tired of pitching tents. They started building small, temporary cottages. These cottages were meant to last about 5 to 10 years. But many of them are still standing today!
Most of the 100 cottages you see now were built between 1870 and 1930. They all share a similar look. This style is called late Victorian architecture. It's like the old houses you might see on Martha's Vineyard.
Important Buildings: The Tabernacles
Several important meeting halls were built at the camp. These were for the many gatherings that took place.
The American Tabernacle
In 1903, the American Tabernacle was built. Its design was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. This meant it had no support pillars inside. So, nothing blocked anyone's view of the stage. It was later renamed the Waldorf Tabernacle. This was in honor of Bishop Ernest Lynn Waldorf. Its round shape reminds people of the original tents. It's also similar to other large meeting halls. These were built for "Chautauqua" events. These events combined education and entertainment.
The cottages built around this circular tabernacle are some of the oldest. All the cottages at the camp are built on paths. These paths lead to at least one of the many tabernacles.
Other Tabernacles
In 1906, the Wesley Tabernacle was built. It was originally called the Swedish Tabernacle. There was also a small, round Norwegian Tabernacle. It could be seen from Algonquin Road. Sadly, it collapsed in the late 1990s due to heavy snow. In the early days, different groups of people gathered. Swedes, Germans, and Norwegians often spoke their own languages. This created small separate groups. But over time, everyone blended together.
Famous Visitors and Modern Times
Many famous people visited the Des Plaines Camp Ground. These included well-known Christian figures. Some were D.L. Moody, Frances E. Willard, and Billy Sunday. Even the famous singer Mahalia Jackson visited.
The camp meetings happened every year from 1860. They continued without stopping into the early 2000s. Today, the camp still holds Sunday worship services. It also has summer events. People still own and rent cottages there. They use them from May to October. One cottage is used year-round by a caretaker.
Facing Challenges: Flooding
In the past, minor floods happened about every seven years. They didn't cause much trouble for campers. But now, more buildings have been built around the Des Plaines River. This has changed how water flows. So, the camp faces more floods each year. Sometimes, the water gets so high that it covers the first floor of two-story cottages.
A Historic Landmark
The Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This means it is recognized as a special historic site.
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