Since the 1850s, Lake Forest, located 30 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, has been a distinctive suburb. It has been a retreat from the diseases, public accessibility, rougher elements, soot, stockyard smells, and general density of bustling city life. For at least five generations, it has been the retreat for Chicago's leading New England-descended families, such as the Farwells, Swifts, and Armours. And for over 150 years, Lake Forest has been the home for a community of educators, merchants, artisans, designers, and a wide variety of estate specialists, the latter from pre-Civil War escaped slaves and Scots and Irish immigrants to today's notable garden and interior artists. Legendary Locals of Lake Forest draws on rare archival images from local and Chicago public and private sources.

Introduction -- Beginnings: New England village. -- The gilded age: 1865-1885 -- American renaissance: 1885-1896 -- The great estate era: 1897-1917 -- The great estates: village and townspeople -- Market Square -- Great estate life-cycles: three stories.

For much of its history, Wake Forest was an idyllic college town. Trains chugged past White Street, the depot hummed with activity, and citizens could shop for groceries, see a movie, and cheer the Demon Deacons without ever getting behind the wheel of a car. It was a town of visionaries. Samuel Wait, William Louis Poteat, Sophie Stephens Lanneau, and Peahead Walker made history in the fields of academics, religion, and athletics; when famous 20th-century writer and satirist H.L. Mencken reportedly called North Carolina "the most intelligent" of all Southern states, he was referring to Wake Forest. That tradition continues today. The Allen family publishes one of the region's most honored weekly newspapers; Andy Ammons recreated small-town magic in the community known as Heritage Wake Forest; and Steve Tarangelo followed his dream to prove that "food is love."

The first Lake Forest Day in 1908 included a hot air balloon ascension, a cutest baby contest, a mind-reading dog, and a vaudeville show. Proceeds from this event, organized by the Lake Forest Woman's Club, funded the Contagious Hospital, which eventually merged into Lake Forest Hospital. American Legion Post 264 took over in 1921 and has maintained this extraordinary tradition ever since. This annual celebration has changed over the years to reflect local interests, national events, and even cultural shifts. With the advent of World War II, the themes became patriotic, such as "Home Defense," "Prelude to Victory," and "On to Tokyo." Lake Forest Day, held on the first Wednesday of August, continues to inspire civic pride. This book represents a fascinating look at Lake Forest in 1908 and the century thereafter, as parades, carnivals, and contests energized community spirit.

Introduction -- The gilded age: 1865-1885 -- American renaissance: 1885-1896 -- The great estate era: 1897-1917 -- The great estates: village and townspeople -- Market Square -- Great estate life-cycles: three stories.

Lakewood was a vibrant community long before it incorporated in 1996, though cityhood helped give the area one name and identity. In the mid-19th century, Lakewood was the site of British farms and the first US military base in Washington Territory. Men who became famous in the Civil War, such as George Pickett, served there. Native American leader Leschi, the victim of judicial lynching by civilians, spent his last days there. As Lakewood became a retreat for Puget Sounds rich and famous, names such as Carman and Alexanderas famous in their day as the name Weyerhaeuser was and issettled here, leaving behind reminders like Lakewold Gardens. One of Lakewoods most famous residents was Ivan, a captive gorilla who captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide.