September 18, 1947Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947LightW. F. Bushnell, a building con-Pacific coast and the other two wentlight alone was $13,000 and the Has Warnedtractor of Rogers Park, was into Florida where new lighthousestower and the residence were builtShipscharge of constructing the buildingwere being constructed. The Civilat additional expense. of Dangeron the bluffs which rose about 25war started and the men in chargeBelongs to Evanstonfeet above the level of ground onof the work there found it neces-Improvements made to the light-for Past 74 YearsGross Point. No woodwork wassary to abandon the job. Beforehouse during the years include aOleaving there, they buried the lan-three and a half inch coating ofnused in the construction of the 90 February 9, 1946, after beingterns and the authorities in Wash-concrete added to the wall of theoufoot high building. Only brick, steel,t of service for over four years,and glass were used. Besides theington, not knowing what had hap-tower in 1914. In 1935, an electric in-the Grossepoint light was turned onpened, were sure the rebels hadstallation was made exhibiting 68,000andtower itself a keepers dwelling was again its rays were visible toobtained possession of them. In acandlepower light with a character-shipsbuilt just west of the light. and boats as far out in LakeMichigareport made June 30, 1861, the Sec-istic of group flashing of white lightnMysterious History as 19 miles.retary of the Treasury wrote, "Inevery 15 seconds.Interest in a lighthouse on GrossThe tower is made of cream colorAugust last lawless persons removedThe lighthouse was turned over toPoint was aroused in 1860, whenbrick and rests on a circular founda-the apparatus from Jupiter Inletthe city of Evanston July 14, 1936,ttion of about 25 feet in diameter.Whein n"eLtkady Elgin" was wrecked offlighthouse."and the land surrounding it is nowa and nearly 300 personsThe superstructure of the light iswerThe lanterns remained safely hid-a public park controlled by thee lost. Another disaster whichcircular and diminishes in size untilden until the end of the war whenNortheast Park district.furthered the cause of the light wasat the base of the lantern it is aboutBecause the early need for thethe wreck of the steamer, "Storm,"15 feet in diameter. At this point thelighthouse had passed, the lightofWtheays hinwgetroen unearthed and sent to. When the Grossepointf Evanston in 1864. These and othertower is surrounded by a balcony.wreckwas turned off May 1, 1941, by or-s pointed out the great needThelighthouse was established one of lantern is reached by a spiralthem was sent here.der of the United States Coastfor such a light and in 1873, thestairway within the tower consist-GrossepoinThe lantern is about seven feetGuard. The city council of Evanstont light was built by theing of 142 steps.Uniteauthorized its replacement Octoberdhigh, octagon in shape, with a sys- States government.No light, however, was shown un-tem of lenses and prisms in each22, 1945 but it wasnt until Februarytil March, 1874. At that time a Fres-panel and narrowing to a cone atof the following year that the lightnel lantern was installed. This lan-the top. The lamps are placed in thewas actually in use again.tern, which was one of the three or-center and on the outside there is adered by the United States govern-menframe supporting two panels of redt from France in 1860, had amysteriouglasON PARK BOARDs which revolves by clock work.s history.ThHenry J. Haack, a long-time resi-e resulting flashes of red aredent of the village, served as a vil-Lost in Civil Wartimed as signals in code whichWhelage trustee from 1916 to 1918 andnidentifies the light to navigators. the three lanterns arrivedThas a park commissioner from 1919e cost of the apparatus for thein this country one was sent to theto 1936. He died in the latter year.WILMETTE HAS ENJOYEDMANY IMPROVEMENTSTHE PAST 75 YEARSSOFTTHEWATERWAYIs Its Latest ImprovementEnjoyed in 1 of 20 Wilmette Homes NO EQUIPMENT TO BUY NO WORK FOR YOU NO CONTRACT TO SIGNIn the year 1872 there were probably about 5 bathtubs in Wilmette andvery few people missed one, for a joy never experienced is never missed.Here in 1947 you that havent already experienced the pleasure and work-saving abilities of Soft Water never miss it, however once you have Soft-Water youll never want to be without it.YOULL FIND SOFT WATER . . .Eliminates soap curd; makes clothes whiter, fluffier, wear longer; eliminatesgreasy scum in dishwater; refreshes skin and makes hair glisten; saves morework than any appliance you now have in your home. For as little as $2.75per month for the average family.Enjoy these improvementsat the turn of your faucetby calling Wilmette 2207today for our 14-day TrialOffer."Grossepoint" lighthouse the spell-ing is taken from, the official rec-ords of the United States CoastGuards "Light List of the GreatLakes" has warned mariners ofthe dangers off Gross Point since1874. The point, which once gaveits name to the entire North Shorearea and later to one of the villagesof New. Trier township, marks the3339 Central Street, Evanstonbend in the lake shore line in NorthEvanston. (Photo by Dr. CharlesPhonesBailey Blake)Wilmette 2207 Kenilworth 2207