It doesn’t seem possible but it’s time for another of the Oregon Depot’s wildly popular “Those Were The Days” presentations. This Saturday June 24th at 10:00 am Dr. Danny Pierce, executive director of the Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center will be presenting an introduction of the Strong family and their palatial estate on the bluff along the Rock River. In 1928 Walter Ansel Strong, publisher of the Chicago Daily News purchased 360 acres of property overlooking the river. Strong’s purchase resulted in the building of Stronghold Castle for the family’s summer home. Unfortunately, Strong spent only one summer in the nearly completed castle. On May 10, 1931, he died of a heart attack at his home in Winnetka, IL just 47 years young. His wife, Josephine continued to divide her time between her Winnetka home and Stronghold until her death in 1961. Following her passing Stronghold was sold to the Presbyterian Church and operated as a four-season retreat center until 2019 when it separated from the Presbytery. Today, Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center, a nonprofit, continues to operate year-round without underwriting by the Presbyterian Church. The castle and camp have also become a popular wedding destination location with guests able to stay overnight on the property while they attend the celebrations. Please join us Saturday at the depot for this interesting presentation.
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