Gordon Strong facts for kids

Henry Gordon Strong (born June 3, 1869 – died February 24, 1954) was a successful businessman from Chicago. He started his own company, Gordon Strong and Company, in 1927, and it's still around today!

Early Life and Family

Henry Gordon Strong was born in Burlington, Iowa. His parents were Henry Strong and Mary Jane Halstead. His father, also named Henry Strong, was a well-known lawyer in Chicago. He was also the president of a big railroad company called the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

Henry Gordon Strong's father served in the United States Army. He was a Colonel in the 124th Field Artillery during World War I. He also served as a Lt. Colonel in the 108th Engineers during the Spanish–American War.

Henry Gordon Strong was married twice. He and his second wife, Louise Ann Snyder, are buried together at Sugarloaf Mountain.

His Legacy: Sugarloaf Mountain

Gordon Strong, as he was often called, bought a lot of land around his home, the Strong Mansion. This home was located on Sugarloaf Mountain in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sugarloaf Mountain is a special kind of mountain called a monadnock. It offers amazing views of the Potomac River and Monocacy valleys.

In 1946, Gordon Strong created a non-profit group called Stronghold, Inc. He gave all his land, including Sugarloaf Mountain, to this group. Stronghold, Inc. still owns and takes care of the property today. They make sure the public can visit and enjoy this beautiful natural area.

Unbuilt Project with Frank Lloyd Wright

In 1925, Gordon Strong asked a famous architect named Frank Lloyd Wright to design something special. This project was known as the Gordon Strong Automobile Objective. It was meant to be a unique building or structure on Sugarloaf Mountain. However, the project was never actually built. Because of this, the land stayed in its natural and wild state, just as it is today.