Related Records

1. View Full Record

   Home of Scott Durand

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Landscape drawing by Marshall & Fox, Architects of proposed development of Crab Tree Farm for Mr. and Mrs. Scott Durand.

   Crab Tree Farm

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Landscape drawings by Root & Hollister of proposed development of Crab Tree Farm 1924, for Mr. and Mrs. Scott Durand.

   Plan for Landscape (part 1)

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. 982 North Sheridan Road - An Architectural and Historic Survey of the estates of Lake Bluff completed in 2008 982 North Sheridan Road Crab Tree Farm Originally owned by Judge Henry W. Blodgett (1821-1905), Grace and Scott Durand purchased the 265 acre property in 1906 and began running a dairy farm. In 1911, Solon S. Beman designed the steel and concrete farm buildings. In 1926-28, the Durand's sold 11 acres on Lake Michigan to William McCormick and Helen Bowen Blair, and the Blair's hired David Adler to design their home and out buildings.

   Lb982nsheridanrd2037

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. An aerial view of Crab Tree Farm residential tracts - An advertisement showing an aerial view of Crab Tree Farm residential tracts with lot lines and estate owners surrounding the property, which was owned at the time by Grace and Scott Durand. Root and Hollister were the landscape architects. The real estate agents are Murray & Terry.

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. A Summer Resort - This newsletter provides information about Lake Bluff's days as a popular summer resort and the beach's progression to what it looks like in modern times.

   A summer resort

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. Crab Tree Farm - Sepia photograph of the silos located at Crab Tree Farm. The home and water tower are in the background.

   Crab Tree Farm

   Record Type: Photo

   
8. Crab Tree Farm, Lake Bluff - Photo of Crab Tree Farm circa 1925. The farm was owned by Grace Durand who operated a dairy farm. Grace was well known for her modern methods of dairy farming. The building on the left was the Durand home. It burned in the 1980's. William McCormick Blair built the estate house on the lake.

   Crab Tree farm 1

   Record Type: Photo

   
9. Garden and Home Builder - Black and white photo of the Durand house. Burned in 19.. ?

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Grace and Scott Durand - Seven copies of newspaper articles originally printed between September 9th, 1915 and January 28th, 1916, covering the contagious "Hood in Mouth Disease" spreading amongst cattle herds. Grace Durand's cattle contracted the diease in September 1915 and had to be slaughtered. However, over a month later her entire cattle herd was again slaughtered, but wrongfully this time claimed Grace Durand for the cattle was not sick. She files a $100,000 damage suit against the state. Two copies of newspaper articles documenting the story and reactions of Jack Durand being indicted for supplying sugar in one of the largest alcohol conspiracies of the prohibition, with ties to the Capone gang and profiting $2,000,000 a year. "Indict Chicago Sugar Broker" article original published in the February 17, 1933 Wisconsin Daily Tribune. Article capturing Grace Druand's reaction to the event originally published on February 17, 1933 from an unknown source. Copy of an article originally printed in The Field Illustrated in February 1926. Article documents Grace Durand's transformation from using mixbreed cows to purebred cows and how she rebuilt the farm after a fire destroyed the farm in 1911. Copy of an article original published in the Chicago Daily tribune on July 13, 1932 about the arrest of two men at Crab Tree Farms after the demanded $50,000 from Jack Durand and threatened to kidnap his daughter if he did not pay up. Includes photographs and threatening letter written by culprits. Copy of an article published in the Chicago Daily Tribune on September 7, 1930 documenting Grace Durand's statement as a Women's Christian Temperance Movement leader okaying the use of light wines and beers. Copy of an article originally published in the Chicago Daily Tribune on June 24, 1917 explaining the spirits Grace Durand speaks to at her home who give her advice on avoiding bad publicity and alerting her of potential cattle poisoning schemes from outsiders. She also explains her theory of German spies infiltrating America's dairy industry in this article. Copy of an article originally published in the Kane Republic on January 31, 1925 showing a photograph of Grace Durand while acknowledging her for earning "$1,000,000 in one day in the unprecedented rise in the price of wheat in which she was a 'bull'" Copy of Grace Durand's lecture on the usefulness of incorporating domestic science classes into grammar and high schools. She believes kids should also be taught the value of work and learn how to upkeep themselves and their surroundings instead of that part being a surprise for them when they grow up or move out of the family house. As well as learn some agriculture or engineering. Brief printed biography of Sir Oliver Lodge who's work in mediumship and communicating with the dead inspired Grace Durand. She went on to write a book titled "Sir Oliver Lodge is Right: Spirit Communication A Fact." Copy of a page from an unknown source with the headline, "Who's Who in Chicago." Scott and Grace Durand are mentioned along with their birth date, birth place, occupation, and extra curricular. Lived at 982 Sheridan Rd.

    Grace Durand's Dairy Farm

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. Half Pint Milk Bottle from Crab Tree Farm

    Half Pint Milk Bottle from Crab Tree Farm, Lake Bluff

    Record Type: Object

    
12. Half Pint Milk Bottle from Crab Tree Farm

    Round one third quart Milk Bottle from Crab Tree Farm, Lake Bluff. The bottle was designed by Grace Durand who called the bottles "little fat jugs." Rim is chipped.

    Record Type: Object

    
13. Half Pint Milk Bottle from Crab Tree Farm

    Round one third quart Milk Bottle from Crab Tree Farm, Lake Bluff. The bottle was designed by Grace Durand who called the bottles "little fat jugs."

    Record Type: Object

    
14. Jack Durand - Adopted at age 3 by Scott and Grace Durand of Crab Tree Farm, Jack Durand was known as the Village's "Bad Boy" for constantly stirring up trouble. In 1921, as a teenager, he was charged with stealing $1,500 worth of liquor from his family's cellar. A risky charge to press because at this point in United States history the nation was already nearing year two of Prohibition. Jack argued that his dad, Scott, had it bootlegged up from Chicago. A claim in which his parents denied and soon Jack took back that statement. After sitting in jail for three weeks, Grace eventually went to the jail, dropped the charges, and brought him home. In 1925, at 22, Jack was hunted down in Los Angeles after his "friends" and fellow gang members, James Miller (313 East Center Avenue), Franklin Patterson (701 Park Place), and George Buchard (704 East Scranton Avenue) named him leader of their gang during police interrogation. According to the three boys, Jack was the mastermind and getaway driver in the Hester White robbery. The three boys also named Jack being involved in other crimes. Such as the robbing of the wife of Mark Morton, of Morton Salts. Jacks family put up a good fight on his side. His mother testified on his innocence and so did their housekeeper, who stated that Jack was indeed home during the White crime along with the family's car. However, the jury found Jack guilty. The prosecutor built a strong case and reminded the jury that Jack is a "monumental liar." Jack denied an appeal, some speculating his decision came from a series of letters which mentioned if he appealed, his mother would be killed, her cows poisoned, and farm blown up. Jack was sentenced to 3 - 20 years. Jack served his time at Joliet Penitentiary beginning on November 16th 1925. According to the Warden of the prison, Jack shall not receive any special treatment for his social status while in his prison. Jack was released on parole in May 1928. In 1929, Jack married his childhood sweetheart, Genevieve Gerahty. in 1932, Peter Cunniff and Joseph Verdico were arrested as members of a gang who demanded $50,000 from Jack or else they will take his daughter, Patricia, who was two years old at the time. The threat came in a form of a letter as well as a phone call. Jack called the police who monitored the Crab Tree Farm property from 3:00 AM until the two men showed up at 9:00 AM to either collect the pay or steal Patricia. Due to Jacks history of crime and rumors of the Durands allowing bootlegging on their Crab Tree Farm lake access, Crab Tree Farms was searched through and through in 1934 after a daring shootout between cops and members of the Dillinger Gang outside Barrington. George "Baby Face" Nelson was responsible with shooting and killing of 3 federal agents and went into hiding. Crab Tree Farms was one of the first places searched during the hunt of Baby Face. Three copies of newspaper articles originally printed between September 11th and 30th 1921 covering Jack's arrest and/or release for stealing his parents liquor. All printed in the Chicago Tribune. 15 pages of Photocopies newspaper articles printed between June 24th and October 1925 covering the story of the boys confession in June, the hunt for Jack, arrest of Jack, the trial, and the outcome. Some newspaper articles include photos of the boys, and a variety of photos of Jack in court and touring the prison after his trial. 14 of the Photocopies come from the Chicago Tribune. One of the articles was originally printed in the Oakland Tribune. Photocopy of a newspaper article from the July 12th, 1929 Vidette-Messenger announcing that the "Bad Boy Has Settled Down." Referring to his secret marriage to Genevieve Gerahty. Photocopy of a newspaper article from the July 16th, 1929 Belvidere Daily Republican newspaper showing a photo of him and his newly wed bride, announcing their marriage. Nine Photocopies of newspaper articles originally printed between July 12th and July 14th, 1932 announcing the arrest of the culprits involved with demanding $50,000 from Jack Durand and threatening to kidnap his daughter. This story was published in a variety of newspapers across the country including papers based in Illinois, Missouri, California, and South Dakota. Photocopy of a newspaper article originally published on November 28th, 1934 in the Wilmington News-Journal covering the deadly shootout in Illinois and manhunt on Crabtree Farms. Copy of Patricia Durand's obituary, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 85.

    Jack Durand Liqour Theft

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. Mrs. Durand's Modern Dairy - Rosalie Heller

    Feb. 1926

    Record Type: Library

    
16. Patricia Durand Baldwin - Printed copy of Patricia Durand Baldwin's obituary, who grew up playing at her grandparents home of Crabtree Farms. Wife to George Baldwin. Her parents were Jack and Genevieve of Lake Bluff.

    Patricia Durand Baldwin

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. Plan Suburb on Shore, Cost 18 Millions - Newspaper account of the Planned Suburb on Shore; Cost 18 Million. America's most magnificent subdivision, with 150 residences costing an aggregate of in the neighborhood of $18,000,000. The property is Crab Tree Farm, the then home of Grace and Scott Durand.

    Plan Suburb on Shore

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. William McCormick Blair - William McCormick Blair, descendants of Chicago pioneers, was an investment banker and founder of William Blair & Co. He was married to Helen Haddock Blair. When in Lake Bluff, they resided at their Crab Tree Farm, Port O' Call, 982 North Sheridan Road, an estate designed by David Adler. WW2 draft registration card. Copy of a 1931 Chicago American newspaper mentioning Blair. Copy of Blair's obituary from a 1982 newspaper. Copy of a 1938 New York Times article of Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Louise of Sweden's visit to Chicago, mentioning them being breakfast guests of Blair at the Saddle and Cycle Club and house guests at his home. Photographs of his daughter. Luncheon invitation. 1977 letter addressed to Blair from Elmer Vliet regarding Judge Blodgett. 1958 newspaper clipping about the Blair's gifting a park to the village. 1964 letters regarding Blair's property contributions. Photographs of Blair with Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret. Photographs of a circus themed party at Blair's house. Copy of a Classic Chicago Magazine article featuring Blair in their Classic Chicago Dynasties series. Letters between Elmer Vliet and Blair. 1981 letter regarding a property project. Blair was also a significant donor to the library An article from the Chicago Tribune dated July 9, 1930 about daughter Helen Blair being thrown from a horse and killed. A Xerox obituary from the New York Times, listing Blair's's many accomplishments

    William M. Blair

    Record Type: Archive