Projects
These are some of the structures and landscapes we have or intend to help preserve.
The Castle Reserve
The Fund purchased a parcel of land in 2019 with the goal of restoring a piece of land that had been part of the original Castle Park Reserve platted in 1897. At that time it was intended that this land be kept "open" for the enjoyment of surrounding cottage owners. The residential structure on the property was first taken down and the foundation and driveway removed. The land was then re-graded, new top soil added, along with a split rail fence, to tie it to the remaining parts of the original Reserve. Trees were also removed or trimmed which opened up the vista to the Castle and improved the sightlines for both area residents and the many visitors who come to enjoy the view of the unique buildings and landscape created by Carter Brown within Castle Park.
The Castle
Built by Michael Schwarz in 1892, originally platted as Castle Park in 1897, and memorialized by L. Frank Baum in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in 1900. It was purchased by Carter P.Brown in 1917 and operated as a lakeshore resort and hotel until 1974.
Restoration of Historic Buildings
The Carter Brown Fund has underwritten the installation of new cedar shake roofs on three structures: The Barnswallow, the Post Office, and The Bandstand, to maintain and preserve these Carter Brown buildings as they reflect the unique nature of his legacy in Castle Park.
The roofs of these three historic buildings needed replacement and required wood shingles to sustain the historic consistency of Carter Brown construction.
The material choice was cedar shake. Like Brown’s original roofing of choice, shakes provided a thick textured appearance that gives a roof beautiful depth and dimension. Wood shakes lend their rugged appearance to Brown’s rustic vision, with each piece looking a bit different than the rest.
The Carter P. Brown Legacy Preservation Fund was petitioned by the Castle Park Association to provide funds for the re-roofing and agreed to fund new shake shingle roofs for all three structures, maintaining the unique look of the community for residents and visitors passing by. The project was funded in 2021 and construction was completed by mid-2022.
Environmental
Conservation
A "walk in the woods" was a major activity for area guests in the 1900s and Carter P. Brown was an early advocate of protecting what we now recognize as an environmentally sensitive ecosystem, the back-dune forest areas adjacent to the shores of Lake Michigan. He recognized the benefits of providing community open space and scenic vistas. One of the primary purposes of the Fund is to protect that legacy.
The Amphitheater
This unique outdoor Greek amphitheater was constructed on the Castle grounds in 1922. It was designed by "Sir Josh '' Reynolds, an artist and instructor at The Chicago Art Institute and a regular guest at the Castle since 1913.