Nov 27, 2024

Our Irish Castle

 


Dear Gemini Artificial Intelligence,

Write an article about the Irish Castle in Chicago


The Irish Castle, also known as Givins Beverly Castle, is a unique landmark in Chicago, Illinois. Built between 1886 and 1887, this three-story structure with three crenelated towers stands out amidst the city's modern skyline.   

A Rich History

The castle was commissioned by Robert C. Givins, a successful real estate developer. It served as his family home until 1894. From 1895 to 1897, it housed the Chicago Female College. In 1942, the Beverly Unitarian Church purchased the building and has used it as a community center ever since.   

A Community Hub

Today, the Irish Castle is a vibrant part of the community. It hosts various events, including weddings, conferences, and cultural celebrations. The castle also houses the Beverly Castle Preschool, providing early childhood education to local children.   

A Piece of History

The Irish Castle is not only a beautiful building but also a significant piece of Chicago's history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a contributing structure in the Longwood Drive District.   

Visiting the Irish Castle

If you're interested in visiting the Irish Castle, you can check their website for upcoming events and open hours. It's a fascinating glimpse into the past and a reminder of Chicago's rich history.



Illustration From Copilot. 


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From Wikapedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_C._Givins


Robert C. Givins (1845/46-1915) was a Canadian-born American real estate developer and novelist. He built the Givins Beverly Castle in Beverly, ChicagoIllinois.

Early life and education

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Robert C. Givins was born in Ontario, Canada in 1845 or 1846.[a] He was the third son of the Rev. Saltern Givins, who for many years was the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Toronto.[1]

When seventeen years old, having completed his college course,[2] Givins came to Chicago with a capital of ten cents. He soon secured a situation in the real estate office of C. J. Hull, a noted real estate dealer at that time, and from whom Givins learned his first lesson in subdividing property. He entered the Union College of Law[2] (now, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law) in 1865 and graduated from that institution in 1867.[1]

Career

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Givins Castle, 1890

He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1868, but never took much interest in the profession, having turned his attention to real estate. He inaugurated the system of selling lots to the working people on small monthly payments. The first subdivision ever sold out entirely by this method is situated on the northwest corner of 12th street, and what is now called Central Park Avenue. The plat was placed on record by Givins & Gilbert in 1867.[1] He early formed a partnership with James Gilbert, later sheriff of Cook County, and engaged in the real estate business under the name of Gilbert & Givins. In 1875, Givins became associated with Edmund A. Cummings and Silas M. Moore in the firm of E. A. Cummings & Co., and continued a member of that firm from that time.[2]

He was the founder of many suburban towns about Chicago, several of which were later embraced within the Chicago city limits. During his business career, he sold out building lots sufficient to make a city of vast proportions.[1]

He was fond of writing stories. Three of his novels, The Rich Man's FoolThe Millionaire TrampThe Unwritten Will, were well known books of fiction, and were read throughout the U.S. and other countries. Other novels included Mlle. L'InconneueJones Abroad and One thousand miles an hour.[2] His letters, written to the Chicago Evening Post while on a trip around the world, proved highly entertaining.[1]

Givins was one of the organizers and a charter member of the Chicago real estate board, of which organization he was vice president in 1894.[2]

Personal life

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(1915)

In later years, he devoted much time to traveling, and was engaged with his wife, Emma S. Givins, in making a tour of the world and securing souvenirs and works of art from other countries for their home at Tracy Heights.[1]

Their home, built of rock-faced limestone,[3] on a high ridge, with commanding towers, was an imitation of a feudal castle, and a picturesque residence.[1]

He had one son, Robert S. Givins.[1]

Robert C. Givins died in San FranciscoCalifornia, April 14, 1915.[2]

Selected works

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  • The Rich Man's Fool
  • The Millionaire Tramp
  • The Unwritten Will
  • Mlle. L'Inconneue
  • Jones Abroad
  • One thousand miles an hour[4]

Notes

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  1. ^ According to Kirkland & Kirkland (1894), Givins was born near Kingston, Ontario, in 1846,[1] while according to his obituary in the Chicago Tribune, Givins was born in Yorkville, Toronto, Ontario in 1845.[2]

References

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  1. Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i Kirkland, Joseph; Kirkland, Caroline (1894). The Story of Chicago. Dibble publishing Company. p. 390. Retrieved 30 April 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Jump up to:a b c d e f g "Obituary. Robert C. Givins Dies at San Francisco"Chicago Tribune. 15 April 1915. p. 17. Retrieved 30 April 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Oswald, Joseph C. (2003). Chicago's Beverly/Morgan Park Neighborhood. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-3153-3. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  4. ^ Smith, Geoffrey D. (13 August 1997). American Fiction, 1901-1925: A Bibliography. Cambridge University Press. p. 259. ISBN 978-0-521-43469-0. Retrieved 30 April 2024.




Took this photo of the castle in April 2018, my last trip to Chicago when I stayed with my cousin who lives around 
the corner from the Castle.


Marie Buti




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