The second edition of Chicago's Only Castle is finally finished
On sale on Amazon and for a special low price at Bookies Bookstore in Chicago, the second edition is now available! Please follow this link to see both purchase options:
The Castle, located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago at 10244 S. Longwood Drive, was built in 1886 and 1887. It looks like a real medieval castle. If you love seeing historic images of Chicago and reading about Chicago’s history from the late 1860s on, this hardbound book, in premium color with over 500 images, is for you, and this second edition is 75 pages longer than the first.
Chicago's Historic Castle: A Visual Journey Through Time
Unveiling Hidden Stories of a Remarkable Past
Chicago’s Only Castle tells the fascinating story of a hidden gem located on the far Southwest Side of Chicago. Unbeknownst to many, this castle has a special place in history, connecting to significant events such as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. The Castle’s founder, Robert Cartwright Givins, was a remarkable individual who immigrated from Canada and had a notable reputation as a real estate developer, writer, and advocate for the city. Join us as we uncover the captivating tales of the Castle’s five keepers and explore the lesser-known aspects of Chicago’s rich past.
Stories of Preservation, Innovation, and Community
Julia Thayer, the Burdett family, the Siemens family, and Beverly Unitarian Church have all been caretakers of the Castle. Their stories are told in the book. Julia Thayer was a poet and president of the Chicago Female College. J. B. Burdett was an inventor, manufacturer, and early automobilist. Miroslaw Siemens was a Chicago doctor of Ukrainian descent who helped preserve Ukrainian history. Roman Siemens, his son, grew up in the Castle and became the only American doctor at the famous Battle of Bastogne in World War II. Beverly Unitarian Church, the current caretaker, has a long history of supporting equal rights and helping the less fortunate. Most recently, the Church and the community had the Castle restored during the COVID-19 pandemic.
