Park Ridge Youth Campus, Former school and orphanage in Park Ridge, United States
Park Ridge Youth Campus is a former school and residential facility situated across several buildings, three of which remain as protected historic structures within today's Prospect Park setting. The grounds contain multiple structures that once worked together as an integrated campus serving its residents.
The institution started in 1877 as the Illinois Industrial School for Girls in Evanston, then relocated to Park Ridge in 1908. The move brought new buildings designed by a prominent architecture firm to serve the institution's residents.
The campus reflects the architectural approach of Holabird & Roche, a firm that shaped Chicago's built landscape. Walking through the grounds, you can see how the designers arranged buildings to serve the residents living and working there.
The Solomon Cottage, now home to the Park Ridge History Center, welcomes visitors to explore displays about the site's past. You can walk the grounds to view the buildings and their surroundings during daylight hours.
Julius Rosenwald, a major philanthropist of the era, funded several buildings on the campus in its early years. His support allowed the institution to construct modern facilities that went beyond its initial setup.
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