The RHS Facebook page is a rich archive of history-related posts by Carol Flynn, RHS Facebook admin and writer until mid-2025. Carol prolifically wrote a wide variety of meticulously researched local history articles for RHS. She continues to write for the Beverly Review and other media sources with articles particularly focused on local Ridge history.
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Hmmm, I am coming up with so much interesting information on the history of the paranormal at the Givins Beverly Castle itself that there may not be that much time for me to cover other ghost stories on the Ridge at this event. I want to leave plenty of time for the open mike session so people can share their own stories.
We'll debunk which ghost stories cannot be true at the Castle because they are just not supported by history and we will talk about some little known events that happened there.
If you haven't made your reservation yet, please do so!
– Carol Flynn
RHS just posted the information on the "Folklore and Phantoms" paranormal program in "Events," which will be held at the Givins Beverly Castle, 103rd St. and Longwood Drive, on Friday, October 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. Back by popular demand after the first successful event at Open Outcry Brewery last year, local historian and writer Carol Flynn will share some of the 50+ ghost and paranormal stories she has collected from folks on the Ridge, many of these first hand experiences, including ones from the Castle itself. Following the program there will be open mike time for attendees to share their own stories. Wine, beer and appetizers will be served. There will also be tarot card and astrology readings available. The cost is $15 and the proceeds go to the Castle Restoration Fund to preserve this iconic landmark. Reservations are necessary as seating is limited and will fill up quickly. Call or email RHS for reservations – 773/881-1675 or ridgehistory@hotmail.com.
The next event on the horizon is the Grand Opening and Reception for "Threads of Imagination," the exhibit at RHS that explores art and fashion through the creativity of five Ridge artists. See the attached flier.
Alla Ripley Bannister was a famous "modiste" who designed and created fashions for women in the early 1900s. Alla lived in Beverly in the Craftsman-style house built by her husband, architect George S. Bannister, at 1620 West 102nd Street. (Bannister is also famous for being the architect of the "Rotary House" at 10856 S. Longwood Drive.) Alla Ripley's great-niece has shared a number of family photos with us, including photos of the house when it was first built.
Alla was called "the maker of modes" and "the very last word in style" during her years as Madame Ripley. Her studio was on Michigan Ave., just down the street from the Art Institute. She dictated fashion styles through the bulletins she authored as president of the Fashion Art League of America. It was said that her fashions were "marked by a grace of line that suggests a Parish original." Some of her designs from publications of her day are shown in the exhibit.
Four contemporary Ridge artists are also in the exhibit. Judie Anderson, Maggie O'Reilly, Nicole Burns and Sandra Leonard all have unique approaches to "fashion art" and plan to be at the Grand Opening. This is your chance to stop by to meet them.
This postcard was submitted to the RHS page with the question of which stop was this?
Answer: The 91st Street stop was originally called Beverly Hills. This is along the Metra line and this charming station still stands. It was built ca. 1889 by architects Charnley and Evans in the Queen Anne style.
The original train line runs to the east of Beverly/Morgan Park. In the 1870s, and expanded later, a branch of this line was extended west to the developing Ridge. The stations along the line were named:
Beverly Hills (91st), Longwood (95th), Walden (99th), Tracy (103rd), Belmont (107th), Morgan Park (111th), and Raymond (115th). The 103rd and 115th Sts. stations are now gone. The others comprise the Beverly/Morgan Park Railroad Stations District, an official historic landmark district in the City of Chicago. This is considered a "thematic" district because the buildings are connected by purpose, not by location.
The stations were designed to go along with the architecture of the houses being built on the Ridge, and replaced original frame stations. The stations are rare survivors of once-common commuter stations and are an important link in the historical development of the community.
Some more pictures of items at the RHS garage sale this week-end. Nice items for entertaining and gifts. Some nice collectors' items, good kitchen items for cooks.
The Ridge Historical Society has three big events coming up in the month of October. All will have individual "Event" listings but here is the preliminary info on them so you can mark your calendars.
Grand Opening and Reception for the "Threads of Imagination" exhibit will be on Wednesday, October 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at RHS, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago. This will be your chance to meet the four artists in person, view their items and learn their wonderful stories – Judie Anderson, Nicole Burns (Ni Bu), Sandra Leonard, and Maggie O'Reilly. We'll also be talking about Madame Alla Ripley, the famous fashion designer who lived on the Ridge in the early 1900s who inspired this exhibit. Wine and cheese, free and open to the public, please stop by!
Open House Chicago, Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at RHS, 10621 S. Seeley Ave. This event is a city-wide project of the Chicago Architecture Center to promote some of the "hidden gems" in the city. RHS and ten other places in the neighborhood are open for touring those days. Please go to the website for Open House Chicago 2019 for more information.
"Folklore and Phantoms" – A Look at the Paranormal Ridge, on Friday, October 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Givins Beverly Castle, 103rd St. and Longwood Drive. Carol Flynn, RHS Communications, will share ghost stories and paranormal happenings that people have shared with her over the years, and there will be plenty of time for attendees to share their own stories. The $15 entrance fee goes to the Castle Restoration Fund. Wine and beer and appetizers. Reservations are a necessity as space is limited. Reservations will open on October 1.
Last RHS Garage Sale pics for tonight – some nice milk glass for collectors.
More RHS Garage Sale items. See Events on RHS page.
More RHS Garage Sale pics – see events on the RHS page.
Here are some of the finer items that will be for sale at the RHS Garage and Book Sale. More pics later in the week. Go to the RHS page under events for details of the sale.