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20 | March 15, 2018 | The highland park landmark Sound Off hplandmark.com A Word From The (Former) President Ravinia : A North Shore treasure John Jacoby Contributing Columnist Sometimes, folks take for granted the gifts bequeathed to them by philanthropists of bygone days. Consider Ravinia, for example. This world class institution of the performing arts owes its existence to philanthropists Elsie and Louis Eckstein, although many other volunteers and donors also deserve credit for having nurtured, supported, and preserved Ravinia for more than 100 years. I mention this now, because Ravinia released its 2018 summer schedule yesterday, March 14. Most everyone can find programs that they’d enjoy, but in my opinion, the enjoyment of Ravinia’s programming is enhanced by an understanding of its history and tradition. Ravinia traces its origins to the beginning of the 20th Century. At that time, a young entrepreneur, Albert Frost, was trying to expand a Waukegan street car company into an interurban railroad (the Chicago and Milwaukee Electric Railroad). Through an affiliated company, he purchased forty acres of woodland in Highland Park bisected by the railroad tracks. His purpose was to create an amusement park that would draw passengers to the railroad. Ravinia Park opened on Aug. 15, 1904. It featured a 24-room hotel (on the west side of the railroad tracks) and an open-air pavilion, theater, sports stadium, and casino for dining and dancing (on the east side). However, the Park’s life as an amusement park was brief. Both it and the railroad floundered and fell into receivership. The Park was closed. Fear spread throughout the region that the property would be acquired by an operator who would degrade the amusement park by introducing a “showman’s ballyhoo.” So in 1911, a group of prominent North Shore residents founded the Ravinia Company, and the Company acquired the Park for $75,000. Scores of North Shore women, including representatives from Wilmette and Kenilworth, formed the “Ravinia Club” to support the Company’s efforts. Under the leadership of Louis Eckstein, a wealthy Chicago businessman, the Park reopened in 1911 as a summer venue for classical music. In 1912, opera was added to the repertoire. Over the years, Ravinia Ravinia’s original pavilion (above) burned down in May 1949, but a temporary structure enabled the show to go on until the current pavilion was built. Photo courtesy of Ravinia was transformed into “America’s summer opera capital,” and performances featured the world’s top operatic stars. Eckstein, an opera aficionado, served as the Park’s president, impresario, and principal benefactor for 20 years. The Park was his passion. But the Depression and declining revenue led to operating deficits that exceeded even Eckstein’s generosity. In 1931, the venture cost him $178,000, and he felt compelled to close the Park. By then, he had acquired most of the Ravinia Company’s stock. While the Park fell silent for four years, Eckstein still hoped it could reopen, perhaps Please see Jakoby 21 1/3 SOLD! VOLTZ &WAUKEGAN|NORTHBROOK AnetsWoods.com 847.461.9948 Plans, materials, prices and specifications are based on availability and are subject to change without notice. Architectural, structural and other revisions may be made as are deemed necessarybythe developer,builder,architect or as may be required by law.Images are used for illustrative purposes only and may reflect available upgrades over standard specifications. NOTE: Window placement is determined by elevation style.
hplandmark.com Sound Off the highland park landmark | March 15, 2018 | 21 Social snapshot Top stories: From hplandmark.com as of Monday, March 12 1. Boys Lacrosse: New coach looks to build program, skills during inaugural season 2. New police chief seeks community engagement 3. From the Archives: Highwood’s religious history 4. Highland Park man sentenced to 54 years in 2013 murder 5. Girls Track and Field: Giants Relays victory stays with host team Become a member: hplandmark.com/plus On Saturday, March 10, Downtown Highland Park posted this photo with the caption, “Saturday Night paint party at Bottle & Bottega Highland Park. Oh...and did we mention it’s BYOB!?” Like The Highland Park Landmark: facebook.com/hplandmark On March 8, The City of Highland Park tweeted this photo with the caption, “Today is International Women’s Day. Thank you to so many who paved the way for equality for women around the world and to those who continue the efforts. Our work is not done but we are fortunate to have so many future Follow The Highland Park Landmark: @hparklandmark From the Editor Commemorating community Jakoby From Page 20 leaders, building new ones Xavier Ward xavier@hplandmark.com Death is never an easy obstacle to overcome. Whether it is sudden or at the end of a long life, it is no easier to swallow. However, the mark of a life well-lived is the stories people tell about you and your acts. Such was the story of Jack Blane. as a summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His death in late 1935 prevented him from seeing this hope become a reality. Elsie Eckstein, his widow, was on the same cultural page as her deceased husband. As the Park’s owner following her husband’s death, she offered its use free-ofcharge to a responsible organization that would present programs consistent with Ravinia’s glorious past. A group of North Shore classical music enthusiasts formed a new organization, the Ravinia Festival Association. They “There’s an old Jewish saying: ‘He who saves a life saves a world,’” Rabbi Allen Secher said, who came from Whitefish, Mont., to officiate at the celebration honoring the memory of the Highland Park civic leader who died Feb. 19. Freelance Reporter Neil Milbert was at the commemoration ceremony. Blane dedicated his life to public service, working on eradicating polio with the Rotary International Club, as well as other well-remembered feats. His fight to eradicate polio, however, was marked by the accomplishment of convincing Bill Gates Sr. to join in the fight to root out polio. guaranteed the cost of a 20-concert series featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra during the summer of 1936. Elsie was satisfied with the proposed arrangement, and thus began the Orchestra’s long relationship with Ravinia. In 1944, she affirmed her satisfaction by donating the entire Park to the Association, subject to strict conditions intended to assure that Ravinia would continue to be a first class cultural institution. Today, Ravinia hosts the oldest outdoor music festival in North America. It attracts 600,000 guests to 120 to 150 events that span all musical genres over its three-month summer season. Be on the lookout for the 2018 schedule. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Jack converted Bill Gates Sr. from being a bystander to being in,” said David Waring, of Barrington, a Rotary International past district governor, when he spoke during the celebration of Blane’s life at the high school. “And the Gates Foundation has been in it for more than a billion (dollars).” Community leaders such as Blane deservedly receive much attention and pave the way for new leaders to emerge. It’s important to support these measures when they arise. Such efforts can be seen with so many young people in the spotlight marching against go figure 75 gun violence. People such as Blane paved the way for this to happen. One could argue that Blane wasn’t commemorated for his commitment against violence, but rather the eradication of an illness. That, however, is not the point. The point is that the foundation laid by leaders such as Blane not only inspires young people to take action for perceived injustices, but makes it easier for them to do so. No matter the cause, a community is improved through dialogue. That dialogue needs to be facilitated by community leaders such as Blane and all who come after him. An intriguing number from this week’s edition Rotary Interact Club members it took to raise $15,000 for the polar plunge challenge, read about it on Page 14. The Highland Park Landmark Sound Off Policy Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. The Highland Park Landmark encourages readers to write letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited to 400 words. The Highland Park Landmark reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The Highland Park Landmark. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Highland Park Landmark. Letters can be mailed to: The Highland Park Landmark, 60 Revere Drive St. 888, Northbrook, IL, 60062. Fax letters to (847) 272-4648 or email to xavier@hplandmark.com.
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