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, Chicago, Illinois.

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 Fool, The Millionaire Tramp, The Unwritten Will, were well known books of fiction, and were read throughout the U.S. and other countries. Other novels included Mlle. L'Inconneue, Jones 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 Francisco, California, 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.  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.  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

Beth Ruyle Hullinger Rest in Peace

 

Elizabeth “Beth” Ruyle-Hullinger was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She was adopted at birth by Daniel and Mae Coley Smith of Covington, Georgia, then raised in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Florida. She attended St. Petersburg Junior College and then the University of Florida, graduating in 1968.

She married Richard Ruyle and moved to Atlanta. Her daughter Leigh Ann was born and they divorced soon after. Beth trained as a teacher, then worked for the Center for Disease Control and the Atlanta Regional Commission, where she helped plan programs that substantially improved the metropolitan region. In 1975, she proudly earned her Masters in Public Administration at the University of Georgia, making her a pioneer of the feminist movement. She is also a Georgia Dawg, a Florida Gator, and a scorpion by birthdate.

Moving to Chicagoland in 1978, Beth took the job as Executive Director of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), an organization of forty municipalities south of Chicago.  She conceived and implemented numerous plans and strategies that improved the south suburbs as well as the Chicago metropolitan region. Her numerous projects included flood control, transportation improvements, drug enforcement, purchase programs, insuring emergency services, and the proposed third Chicago metropolitan airport. She worked over twenty-two years for SSMMA and made it a leading governmental organization.  She was honored with a Congressional Resolution, as State of Illinois Resolution, and resolutions by her suburban governments. She was chosen one of Chicago's 100 most influential women in Crain's Chicago Business.

During this time, she met and married her husband, Craig Hullinger, a city planner who shared her goals of good governance, city improvement and love of international travel. Craig brought two sons, Clint and Bret, to the family.

Beth then became a Financial Advisor for Ehlers Incorporated.  She participated in numerous urban redevelopment efforts, providing municipalities with tax increment financing.

Moving to Peoria, Illinois, Beth and Craig formed Ruyle-Hullinger and Associates, a consulting practice specializing in city planning, urban redevelopment and tax increment financing to a number of Illinois municipalities.

Beth and Craig retired to Sarasota, Florida.  Beth was elected as President of the Sarasota Sister Cities Association, serving several terms, and led exchanges with sister cities Vladimir, Russia; Perpignon, France; Tel Mond, Israel; Merida, Mexico; Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland; Busseto, Italy; Dunfermline, Scotland; and Xiamen, China. She also served on the Board of the Sarasota Chapter of Military Officers.

Beth is survived by her husband Craig Hullinger, daughter Leigh Ann Masen, son Bret Hullinger, sisters Serena Windham and Gordenia Murdoch, sisters-in-law Anne Hullinger and Barbara Hullinger, brother-in-law Scott Hullinger, nephews and nieces Derek, Amber, Christy, Eric, Maddie, Krystina, Alex, and Shane.

Services are private. She will be buried at the Sarasota National Cemetery, https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/sarasota.asp.

If you wish you can donate to your favorite charity in her name.

More about Beth at:

bethruylehullinger.blogspot.com

History of Morgan Park High School As Written By AI

I used the Artificial Intelligence Program https://copilot.microsoft.com/ to write and illustrate the article below. Took very little time.

I was talking to a Professor recently. He said the faculty know that many articles are written by AI.

write an article about the history of Morgan Park High School in Chicago

The Rich History of Morgan Park High School in Chicago

Morgan Park High School, affectionately known as “Empehi,” has been a cornerstone of education in the Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago’s far south side since its establishment. The school officially opened its doors at its current location on January 17, 1916, but its roots trace back to 19021.

Early Beginnings

In the late 1800s, the Village of Morgan Park had several grammar schools, but high school education was considered a luxury. Initially, high school students attended private institutions like the Morgan Park Academy. However, when the Academy decided to only accept boys around 1897, the need for a public high school became evident1.

Establishment and Growth

Morgan Park High School began by renting space in the Western Avenue School for its first and second-year students. By 1904, the Arlington School was built, providing the first dedicated building for the high school. The school faced challenges, including tax issues and the potential loss of its building during the annexation of Morgan Park to Chicago in 1910. However, the community raised funds to secure land and build a permanent high school1.

Expansion and Development

The school saw significant growth and development over the years. In 1925, an addition provided a gymnasium, auditorium, and swimming pool. Further expansion in 1965 and 1983 included the addition of tennis courts, a football field, a running track, and more2. These facilities supported a wide range of extracurricular activities and sports, contributing to a vibrant school community.

Academic Excellence and Diversity

Morgan Park High School has always been committed to academic excellence and diversity. From its early days, the student body has been multi-racial and multi-cultural, offering an outstanding environment for education. The school became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering programs like the Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career Related Programme2.

Community Involvement

The school has long enjoyed the active support of parents and the Beverly/Morgan Park community. Organizations like the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and the Morgan Park High School Community Council have played crucial roles in supporting the school. These groups have provided financial support for equipment, training opportunities, and special student programs2.

Legacy and Impact

Morgan Park High School’s legacy is marked by its commitment to providing quality education and fostering a sense of community. With a stable enrollment and a comprehensive program that meets the needs of all students, Morgan Park continues to be a beacon of learning and growth in Chicago.

From its humble beginnings to its current status as a respected educational institution, Morgan Park High School’s history is a testament to the power of community and the enduring value of education.

1: Wikipedia 2: Morgan Park High School Official Website