The Lake County History Symposium is an annual gathering of people interested in the history of Lake County, Illinois.
From railroads to car racing and leisure boating, Lake County has a long transportation history. Join us at the 10th annual Lake County History Symposium for the theme Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Lake County Transportation. Hear local stories from enthusiastic historians, students and individuals dedicated to sharing Lake County's past. Each day will feature insightful presentations, followed by engaging discussions and Q&A sessions with the speakers.
FREE, but must register for each day you would like to attend.
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Presenters for January 9 include:
Kim Ortega
Skies Above Great Lakes
In this discussion, hear about Naval Aviation History at Naval Station Great Lakes. It begins by informing on how the Navy became involved with aviation. We then address Great Lakes' association with Naval Aviation during both World Wars and conclude with the wider regions efforts to advance Naval Aviation during World War II.
Donna-Marie Stupple
All Aboard, Deerfield! Train Tales
All Aboard, Deerfield! showcases examples of the part trains have played in Deerfield history and how that relationship has changed over the years. Today's trains still travel through Deerfield, but the give-and-take that once existed has almost disappeared. Hear stories that capture an era that deserves to be remembered.
John Wasik
Sam Insull and the Creation of Modern Lake County
Learn how utilities baron Sam Insull built the transportation infrastructure of Lake County. As the owner of the North Shore Railroad Line, Commonwealth Edison and People's Gas, he financed most of the infrastructure that made modern Lake County possible.Hear higlights of his achievements, connections and eventual failings.
Valerie van Heest
Lost on the Lady Elgin
A 165 years after the worst disaster on the open waters of the Great Lakes, Valerie Van Heest, takes the audience back in time to the era of passenger travel on the Great Lakes, to the eve of a presidential election, to the brink of Civil War, and to stormy night when more than 300 people lost their lives on the Lady Elgin.