Oaklawn Farm
Encyclopedia
Oaklawn Farm is a historic property in Wayne
, Illinois
. The farm was operated by the Dunham family, who successfully bred Percheron
horses. The property features the chateauesque
Dunham Castle, which was built by Mark Wentworth Dunham
in 1880. Nine other buildings from the time period still stand on the property, which is still used as the Dunham Woods Riding Club. The farm was recognized by the National Park Service
as a Historic Place
in 1979.
purchased the land and built his own house on it. Three years later, Dunham organized the Fletcher Norman Horse Company with his uncle and a group of local farmers. They intended to raise Percheron
horses as studs
. They bought two stallions from Perche
, one of which (Success) became the most notable Percheron breeder of all time. Dunham worked tirelessly to perfect his breed of horses, traveling to France to learn from other breeders. He imported over 1,300 horses from the country by 1883. Oaklawn Farm was soon internationally recognized as an important breeding establishment. In 1888, it was estimated that one-fifth of all imported French horses lived at Oaklawn. Dunham issued a catalog to prospective clients, some with illustrations by Rosa Bonheur
. Agricultural exhibitors from the World's Columbian Exposition
tested out machinery on the property, so the farm was visited by many famous names, including Daniel Burnham
, Marshall Field
, and Carter Harrison, Sr.
In the early 20th century, farm machinery dramatically reduced the need for draft horses. Oaklawn ceased operations in 1929, and the Dunham family sold much of the property. The remaining portions of the part were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on July 26, 1979.
, Illinois
. The original farm was over 1700 acres (688 ha), but presently the property occupies only 56 acres (22.7 ha). The southeast corner still functions as a horseback riding club. The Oaklawn Farm Historic District contains 11 buildings, all but one of which were in operation before the 1929 liquidation. Five buildings are considered to be of great significance to the site, two have significant significance, three have little significance, and one is an intrusion.
By 1880, Mark Dunham had become fabulously wealthy, and decided to build a mansion on his property. Dunham wanted to integrate French chateau
designs with modern American architectural trends. The house, now known as Dunham Castle, is on the northwest corner of the property. The interior has been converted into apartments, but the exterior remains intact. Dunham himself designed the building with some help from Elgin
builder Smith Hoag. The house is 70 by 100 ft (21.3 by 30.5 ) and stands two-and-a-half stories tall. The house is 70 by 100 ft (21.3 by 30.5 ) and stands two-and-a-half stories tall. The brick was imported from Racine, Wisconsin
and sits on a foundation of Batavia
stone. The northeast corner featured an octagonal tower, while a round tower adorns the southeast corner. The center of the main (eastern) exposure features a gable with three arched windows. Each of the main floors on the east has three pairs of windows with decorative lintels, although the main entrance takes the place of the central pair on the first floor. The roof is steep with patterned tile. Although the exterior has been well preserved since its 1883 construction, the interior has been completely remodeled.
A house on the southeast side of the property dates to the late 1870s that was used as a residence for the family coachman
. It is probably that Mark Dunha used this as his residence before Dunham Castle was completed. The house is one-and-a-half stories with Gothic and Neo-Renaissance
influences.
The Dunham Woods Riding Club building was formerly in use as the Solomon Dunham House. Solomon was Mark Dunham's father, who was a pioneer of the region after arriving from New York in 1835. Solomon was a county assessor and was the first person to survey Kane County. This information was useful when the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
was constructed in 1851. Solomon built a train station for the line in Wayne, as well as a house, store and inn. This made him the founder of the village. He retired from public life in 1857, transferring his responsibilities to his son, Mark. Solomon's house was built in 1836 in an L-shaped pattern in the rural Greek Revival style. The -story building received a large addition by Mark Dunham in 1884 on the west side; Mark used it as the Oaklawn Farm office. In 1935, the Dunham Woods Riding Club was founded in the former house.
The other two particularly significant buildings are barns used by the Dunham family. Both are on the southeast end of the property. A 133 foot horse barn was built around 1884 with loft dormer
s on the north and south sides. The other barn was also built around 1884, but is much smaller than the horse barn (26 by 60 ft (7.9 by 18.3 )). Its original purpose has not been ascertained; it is now used as a realty office.
A long, narrow, frame structure also remains on the property from its days as Oaklawn Farm. Its original purpose is also in question, but it is now used as kennels for the riding club. Some sort of power house or grist mill is on the southeast part of the property. It also dates back to the original farm. Three minor buildings are considered to be of slight significance, and may or may not have been used by the Dunham family. These are a barn, a garage, and an outhouse on the southeast side. A barn on the southeast side is the only building on the property known to have been constructed after 1935.
Wayne, Illinois
Wayne is a village in DuPage and Kane County, Illinois. The eastern portion, in DuPage County, is in Wayne Township while the western portion, in Kane County, is in St. Charles Township. The population was 2,137 at the 2000 census....
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The farm was operated by the Dunham family, who successfully bred Percheron
Percheron
The Percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons are usually gray or black in color. They are well-muscled, and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Although their exact origins are unknown, the ancestors of the breed were...
horses. The property features the chateauesque
Châteauesque
Châteauesque is one of several terms, including Francis I style, and, in Canada, the Château Style, that refer to a revival architectural style based on the French Renaissance architecture of the monumental French country homes built in the Loire Valley from the late fifteenth century to the...
Dunham Castle, which was built by Mark Wentworth Dunham
Mark Wentworth Dunham
Mark Wentworth Dunham was an American importer and breeder of horses and the owner of the Oaklawn Farm in Wayne, Illinois, which was at one time the largest horse breeding farm in the world.-Life:...
in 1880. Nine other buildings from the time period still stand on the property, which is still used as the Dunham Woods Riding Club. The farm was recognized by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
as a Historic Place
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1979.
History
The property that would become Oaklawn Farm was first settled in 1835. In 1865, Mark W. DunhamMark Wentworth Dunham
Mark Wentworth Dunham was an American importer and breeder of horses and the owner of the Oaklawn Farm in Wayne, Illinois, which was at one time the largest horse breeding farm in the world.-Life:...
purchased the land and built his own house on it. Three years later, Dunham organized the Fletcher Norman Horse Company with his uncle and a group of local farmers. They intended to raise Percheron
Percheron
The Percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons are usually gray or black in color. They are well-muscled, and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Although their exact origins are unknown, the ancestors of the breed were...
horses as studs
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
. They bought two stallions from Perche
Perche
Perche is a former province of northern France extending over the départements of Orne, Eure, Eure-et-Loir and Sarthe, which were created from Perche during the French Revolution.-Geography:...
, one of which (Success) became the most notable Percheron breeder of all time. Dunham worked tirelessly to perfect his breed of horses, traveling to France to learn from other breeders. He imported over 1,300 horses from the country by 1883. Oaklawn Farm was soon internationally recognized as an important breeding establishment. In 1888, it was estimated that one-fifth of all imported French horses lived at Oaklawn. Dunham issued a catalog to prospective clients, some with illustrations by Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur, born Marie-Rosalie Bonheur, was a French animalière, realist artist, and sculptor. As a painter she became famous primarily for two chief works: Ploughing in the Nivernais , which was first exhibited at the Salon of 1848, and is now in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris depicts a team...
. Agricultural exhibitors from the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
tested out machinery on the property, so the farm was visited by many famous names, including Daniel Burnham
Daniel Burnham
Daniel Hudson Burnham, FAIA was an American architect and urban planner. He was the Director of Works for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He took a leading role in the creation of master plans for the development of a number of cities, including Chicago and downtown Washington DC...
, Marshall Field
Marshall Field
Marshall Field was founder of Marshall Field and Company, the Chicago-based department stores.-Life and career:...
, and Carter Harrison, Sr.
Carter Harrison, Sr.
Carter Henry Harrison, Sr. was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1879 until 1887; he was subsequently elected to a fifth term in 1893 but was assassinated before completing his term. He previously served two terms in the United States House of Representatives...
In the early 20th century, farm machinery dramatically reduced the need for draft horses. Oaklawn ceased operations in 1929, and the Dunham family sold much of the property. The remaining portions of the part were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on July 26, 1979.
Architecture
Today, the farm occupies all four corners of the intersection of Army Trail and Dunham Roads in WayneWayne, Illinois
Wayne is a village in DuPage and Kane County, Illinois. The eastern portion, in DuPage County, is in Wayne Township while the western portion, in Kane County, is in St. Charles Township. The population was 2,137 at the 2000 census....
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The original farm was over 1700 acres (688 ha), but presently the property occupies only 56 acres (22.7 ha). The southeast corner still functions as a horseback riding club. The Oaklawn Farm Historic District contains 11 buildings, all but one of which were in operation before the 1929 liquidation. Five buildings are considered to be of great significance to the site, two have significant significance, three have little significance, and one is an intrusion.
By 1880, Mark Dunham had become fabulously wealthy, and decided to build a mansion on his property. Dunham wanted to integrate French chateau
Château
A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally—and still most frequently—in French-speaking regions...
designs with modern American architectural trends. The house, now known as Dunham Castle, is on the northwest corner of the property. The interior has been converted into apartments, but the exterior remains intact. Dunham himself designed the building with some help from Elgin
Elgin, Illinois
Elgin is a city in northern Illinois located roughly northwest of Chicago on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois...
builder Smith Hoag. The house is 70 by 100 ft (21.3 by 30.5 ) and stands two-and-a-half stories tall. The house is 70 by 100 ft (21.3 by 30.5 ) and stands two-and-a-half stories tall. The brick was imported from Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
and sits on a foundation of Batavia
Batavia, Illinois
Batavia was founded in 1833, and is the oldest city in Kane County, Illinois, with a small portion in DuPage County. During the Industrial Revolution, Batavia became known as ‘The Windmill City’ for being the largest windmill producer of the time...
stone. The northeast corner featured an octagonal tower, while a round tower adorns the southeast corner. The center of the main (eastern) exposure features a gable with three arched windows. Each of the main floors on the east has three pairs of windows with decorative lintels, although the main entrance takes the place of the central pair on the first floor. The roof is steep with patterned tile. Although the exterior has been well preserved since its 1883 construction, the interior has been completely remodeled.
A house on the southeast side of the property dates to the late 1870s that was used as a residence for the family coachman
Coachman
A coachman is a man whose business it is to drive a coach, a horse-drawn vehicle designed for the conveyance of more than one passenger — and of mail — and covered for protection from the elements...
. It is probably that Mark Dunha used this as his residence before Dunham Castle was completed. The house is one-and-a-half stories with Gothic and Neo-Renaissance
Neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival is an all-encompassing designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes...
influences.
The Dunham Woods Riding Club building was formerly in use as the Solomon Dunham House. Solomon was Mark Dunham's father, who was a pioneer of the region after arriving from New York in 1835. Solomon was a county assessor and was the first person to survey Kane County. This information was useful when the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was a railroad running west from Chicago to Clinton, Iowa and Freeport, Illinois, never reaching Galena, Illinois...
was constructed in 1851. Solomon built a train station for the line in Wayne, as well as a house, store and inn. This made him the founder of the village. He retired from public life in 1857, transferring his responsibilities to his son, Mark. Solomon's house was built in 1836 in an L-shaped pattern in the rural Greek Revival style. The -story building received a large addition by Mark Dunham in 1884 on the west side; Mark used it as the Oaklawn Farm office. In 1935, the Dunham Woods Riding Club was founded in the former house.
The other two particularly significant buildings are barns used by the Dunham family. Both are on the southeast end of the property. A 133 foot horse barn was built around 1884 with loft dormer
Dormer
A dormer is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of a sloping roof surface. Dormers are used, either in original construction or as later additions, to create usable space in the roof of a building by adding headroom and usually also by enabling addition of windows.Often...
s on the north and south sides. The other barn was also built around 1884, but is much smaller than the horse barn (26 by 60 ft (7.9 by 18.3 )). Its original purpose has not been ascertained; it is now used as a realty office.
A long, narrow, frame structure also remains on the property from its days as Oaklawn Farm. Its original purpose is also in question, but it is now used as kennels for the riding club. Some sort of power house or grist mill is on the southeast part of the property. It also dates back to the original farm. Three minor buildings are considered to be of slight significance, and may or may not have been used by the Dunham family. These are a barn, a garage, and an outhouse on the southeast side. A barn on the southeast side is the only building on the property known to have been constructed after 1935.