Part One

1. Date of Erection: Erected in 1950, the present dam spanning the Des Plaines River between the towns of Riverside and Lyons is the third substantial dam to be constructed at this site. The dam preceding the present dam was the Hofmann dam, the second confirmed dam to be built at this site, which was constructed in 1908. Historical records demonstrate the first substantial dam to be built approximately 1866. Mention has been made of a dam built at the Hofmann dam site previous that of 1866. Such dam is said to have been built by the Laughton brothers in the 1830s in connection with a sawmill that phased from existence prior to the 1860s.

The Hofmann dam site boasts a natural waterfall which was minimally enhanced to create the first low-head dam. The original dams built at this site were constructed in connection with sawmills and thus aided a sawmill and grist mill in production.

Made of stone and timber[1], the 1866 dam, the first substantial dam, was destroyed by flood and rebuilt numerous times before George Hofmann improved the structure by erecting the Hofmann dam in 1908. The Hofmann dam, intended as a more permanent means of pooling water behind the dam for recreational purposes as well as aid the creation and supply of electricity for the recreational park, remained intact until 1928 when raw sewage and sludge began to congregate in large amounts behind it. In order to halt the detrimental pollution, Mr. Hofmann refused demands made by the Des Plaines Valley residents as well as the Chicago Sanitary District to open his gates and allow the sludge to pass. As a result of his stance, a by-pass system meant to detour the pollution, was quickly built by the Chicago Sanitary District, without permit or Hofmann’s consent, into the north bank of the river. The Hofmann dam remained in such repair until it was cut back, below water level, and the current dam was erected directly east of the Hofmann dam remnants in 1950.

2. Engineers: The Laughton Brothers’ Dam, constructed promptly post 1827, was constructed by property owner, David Laughton and his brother, Bernardus Laughton. The dam site, a natural waterfall, aided the initial builders in accomplishing function and design. (Vierling, p. 46-49; Benedetti p. 30-31)

The Dam constructed in 1866 was framed of stone and timber. Landowners, Dr. George M. Fox and Mr. Jarvis M. Fox, oversaw the construction of this dam congruent with opening the Riverside Milling Company that same year.

The Hofmann dam of 1908, which replaced the first dam, was constructed by the H.W. Sauber Construction Co of Lockport, Illinois.

Engineers of the current dam built in 1950 include: Arthur H. Stowe, Submitted by Engineer of Design, Harvey W. Hill, Recommended by Principal Engineer and Thomas B. Casey, Approved by Chief Engineer

3. First and subsequent owners: Title documents dating as far back as the 1830s confirm ownership of the right to build a dam at the present day site. Additionally, secondary, historical resources discuss the existence of a dam in the 1830s that was improved in 1866. Primary documentation referencing the existence of the dam built in 1866 acknowledges Mr. Jarvis M. Fox and Dr. George M. Fox as designers, builders and co-owners of the dam and surrounding property.

Ownership of the Dam property, which, in certain cases, overlaps with the ownership of the Riverside Milling Company property, is as follows:

1827-28 First dam built by Laughton brothers in connection with mill near Laughton’s Ford

1834 Gazetter article referencing Lyons – “Lyons is a town site on the Des Plaines at Laughton’s old trading house twelve miles west of Chicago. It has a sawmill, three houses and a tavern.” “Pioneer, Pubs & Portage” p. 30

1836 Norman Little purchased property from Stephen Forbes, upon which existed earliest dam and first mill – Due to early conditions of the Des Plaines River, Little could not succeed w/out a sufficient dam – Laughton mill ceased to exist

post 1845 Bernstein, Elizabeth “The Landmark” – claims mill/dam built by Forbes shortly after 1845 (conflicting with remarks re: sale of mill & dam to Doty in 1843).

1846 Eichacker “Twin towers” – claims dam built by Forbes “about” this time

1856 Dr. Fox took over (Married White’s daughter) and replaced first mill with 2 story stone structure at different location, southeast of now Lyons-Riverside bridge and changed purpose – now used to grind wheat, oats, etc…?

1866 Dam & Riverside Milling Company built by Fox brothers only date supported by primary resource (First crest of dam = 24.55 feet (Bernstein, Elizabeth: The Landmark)

1868 Olmsted plan for Riverside: Riverside developed along north bank of Des Plaines River. Mill Bridge Street named after Forbes’ Mill/Dr. Fox’s Mill

1879 (November) Dam property sold to George & William Hough and Henry D. Bennett

1881 Dam property owned by Jesse Hart - Dam crest = 24.2 feet (Bernstein, Elizabeth: The Landmark)

post 1897 Second mill burned to ground – building materials used in construction of tower Inn at nearby site

1907 George W. Hofmann Jr. purchases dam site, begins construction of dam and tower, which housed control of water level (“Early Powered Water Mills of the Des Plaines River and its Tributaries, Illinois”). H.W. Sauber Construction Co of Lockport, Illinois, built tower for $400,000 – at same time, dam was improved (concrete & horse-shoe design) – tower houses 4 flood gates & 2 flood basins to control water level of river above dam (visible on ground floor). Hofmann Park “Niagara Park” consisted of, Dam & Boating docks, tower, Hofmann Park for picnicking, remodeled Riverview Club House (office & caretaker’s quarter’s). Construction complete September 6, 1908. Crest = 25.56, length = 243 feet (Bernstein: The Landmark)

1928 Bypass: The Sanitary District of Chicago, Department of Permanent Plants and Structures. Chicago Sanitary District built Sewage By-Pass to counteract the refusal of George Hofmann to open the gates of the Hofmann dam necessary to promote free flowing of sludge and sediment from behind the dam.

1936 Works Progress Administration worked August, 1912 through September, 1912: removed dam supports and old crest. Establishment of Mosquito Abatement – Lyle Clark

1946 Hofmann died – heirs relinquished tower/dam to Forest Preserve through condemnation proceedings

1972 Ordinance adopted by Riverside to transfer control of dam to state in order to control pollution issues.

4. Builder, contractor, suppliers: Erected in 1866, the first dam constructed of stone and timber replaced the Laughton’s Dam which was implemented into a natural waterfall, in order to aid function and design. Landowners, Dr. George M. Fox and Mr. Jarvis M. Fox, oversaw the construction of this dam congruent with opening the Riverside Milling Company.

The Hofmann dam of 1908, which was built in place of the first dam, was constructed by the H.W. Sauber Construction Co of Lockport, Illinois.

Engineers of the current dam built in 1950 include: Arthur H. Stowe, Submitted by Engineer of Design, Harvey W. Hill, Recommended by Principal Engineer and Thomas B. Casey, Approved by Chief Engineer

State of Illinois, Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways: Proposed Hofmann dam in Des Plaines River, Cook County, Illinois, 1950: Existing portions of Dam Hofmann dam “to be removed” (blueprints), referenced on Sheets 2-5, 7-8.

State of Illinois, Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways: Proposed Hofmann dam in Des Plaines River, Cook County, Illinois, 1950: Existing portions of By-Pass “to remain” (blueprints), referenced on Sheets 2-5, 7.

The Sanitary District of Chicago, Department of Permanent Plants and Structures: By-Pass at Hofmann dam Des Plaines River, July 10, 1928. Stamped Received by the Division of Waterways, Chicago, Illinois, Feb. 5, 1968.

State of Illinois, Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways: Proposed Hofmann dam in Des Plaines River, Cook County, Illinois, 1950: Sheets 1-8.

6. Alterations and Additions: Originally a natural waterfall/dam, the first man-made dam in this location was built by the Laughton Brothers circa 1827. This dam phased from existence in the 1830s.

Consequently, the first substantial dam of this site was built by Dr. George M. Fox and Mr. Jarvis M. Fox. The Fox Brothers built this dam in congruence with a mill they constructed on their property in 1866. Such mill appears on the 1890 Snyder’s Real Estate Map as well as the 1895 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. The mill, however, is not depicted on the 1871 J. Van Vechten Map or the 1898 Snyder’s Real Estate Map. Moreover, the dam appears in the Map of the Olmsted’s General Plan in 1868. It is located on Mill Bridge Road which was named such due to the historic Riverside Milling Company location. This first dam was constructed from stone and timbers, as seen in historic photographs. It had a crest of 24.5 feet and was designed in the shape of a horse-shoe. This dam, while constructed with only semi-permanent materials, was reconstructed numerous times throughout its existence from 1866 through 1908. The original design remained the same during these periods of rebuilding.

George Hofmann Jr. modified the stone and timber dam in 1908. He performed major alterations by demolishing the stone and timber dam and rebuilding a concrete dam, in a similar horse-shoe design. At the same time, Mr. Hofmann constructed the Hofmann tower southeast of the dam, which houses 4 flood gates & 2 flood basins designed to control the water level of the river above the dam. Additionally, Mr. George Hofmann constructed seventeen boat docks west of the dam as well as numerous retaining walls, steps, an underground tunnel and walkways on and along the Hofmann dam site. The Hofmann dam’s horse-shoe shape was accomplished by arranging five straight walls, of various size, at angles resembling a U-shape. Such design is detailed on The Sanitary District of Chicago, Department of Permanent Plants and Structures: By-Pass at Hofmann dam, Des Plaines River, July 10, 1928; the State of Illinois, Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways: Proposed Hofmann dam in Des Plaines River, Cook County, Illinois, 1950: Existing portions of Dam Hofmann dam “to be removed” (blueprints), referenced on Sheets 2-5 and 7-8; and as illustrated on an numerous undated historic photographs that are provided. The Hofmann dam, and its concurrent structures, remained in their original condition until a sewage by-pass was added to the north bank of the dam in 1928.

The Sanitary District of Chicago, Department of Permanent Plants and Structures built a by-pass at the Hofmann dam in 1928. This structure, located on the north bank of the river, running west-east, in congruence with the river flow, was implemented in order to control high pollution levels which had been accumulating behind the dam.

The State of Illinois Department of Public Works and Building: Division of Waterways cut down the Hofmann dam and rebuilt a dam of differing design and crest level in 1950. This straight design dam is the present dam and is located immediately east of the Hofmann dam remnants. Additionally, at this time, various concrete walls, original to Hofmann’s design were removed and reconstructed. Such walls include those on the north bank, east of the by-pass.

In April, 1984, the State of Illinois removed and repaired the retaining walls east of the tower on the south bank. By removing such walls, the passage openings located at water level on the retaining wall, which permitted the outlet of water from under the Hofmann tower on its east side, were removed and replaced by a solid retaining wall. Furthermore, various decks, walkways and the underground tunnel constructed by Hofmann were removed and/or filled in at this time. While severely deteriorated, the boat docks located west of the dam on the south bank remain and are visible at low water mark. The Hofmann tower remains intact.

1827-1828 First mill built by Laughton brothers at the site of a natural waterfall.

1866 Dam & Riverside Milling Company built by Fox brothers only date supported by primary resource (First crest of dam = 24.55 feet (Bernstein, Elizabeth: The Landmark)

Second mill burned to ground – building materials used in construction of tower Inn

1908 H.W. Sauber Construction Co of Lockport, Illinois, built tower for $400,000 – at same time, dam was improved (concrete & horse-shoe design) – tower houses 4 flood gates & 2 flood basins to control water level of river above dam (visible on ground floor). Hofmann Park “Niagara Park” consisted of, Dam & Boating, tower, Hofmann Park for picnicking, remodeled Riverview Club House (office & caretaker’s quarter’s). Construction complete September 6, 1908. Crest = 25.56, length = 243 feet (Bernstein: The Landmark)

1928 Bypass: The Sanitary District of Chicago, Department of Permanent Plants and Structures.

Chicago Sanitary District built Sewage By-Pass to counteract the refusal of George Hofmann to open the gates of the Hofmann dam necessary to promote free flowing of sludge and sediment from behind the dam.

1936 Works Progress Administration worked August, 1912 through September, 1912: removed dam supports and old crest. Establishment of Mosquito Abatement – Lyle Clark

Located just west of the Lyons-Riverside Bridge is the Hofmann dam site. This 1950 structure began as a natural waterfall enhanced to become a dam in the early 1800s. Historically, this dam has aided in mill production and recreation. Its design and function enhanced the landscape architecture of the Riverside Historic District within which it is partially located. In the early 1900s, the dam’s function took on yet another role as it was utilized for the creation and control of water power. George Hofmann planned and built Niagara Park, a complex designed after Dellwood Park in Lockport, Illinois which combined functional architecture, housing the machinery necessary to create electricity, with unconventional architectural attractions to create a recreational site.

The Hofmann dam has served as a burden to the sanitation of the Des Plaines River since the early 1900s. Additionally, it served as a source of controversy regarding river pollution and the right to control water level. Overall, the historical background of the Hofmann dam site covers three distinct themes of productivity, recreation and pollution. Most importantly, while the dam has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times since its inception, the pooled water level behind the dam and created by such, has remained the primary contributor to each of these themes.

Pre-1866: Chicago Portage, Fur Trading, the Green Bay Trail, a Natural Dam and Stephen Forbes (The Transfer of Rights to Build a Dam)- Productivity

Before the city presently known as Chicago, Illinois was settled and incorporated, a small village named Lyons, just 12 miles west, began development. Home of Portage Creek, a section of travel along the Chicago Portage, the town of Lyons influenced the origination and growth of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The Chicago Portage, a means of travel from the Mississippi to the Great Lakes region initiated by the Northwest Indians and utilized and promoted by Father Marquette and Louis Joilet’s expedition in 1672, advanced the discovery of present day Chicago by way of Lyons, Illinois. [2](Pubs, Portage & Pioneers)

Due to its location, Lyons developed initially as a tavern town, where pioneers sought food and comfort during their travels along the Chicago Portage. Settlement of this land is attributed primarily to the Laughton Brothers, David and Bernardus Laughton, who settled in the area in 1828 (A.T. Andreas – Bernadetti p.30). An article in the Lyons Gazetter describes Lyons in 1834 as such, “Lyons is a town site on the Des Plaines at Laughton’s old trading house twelve miles west of Chicago. It has a sawmill, three houses and a tavern.” (Benedetti p. 30). While ownership eventually changed hands, the Laughton Brothers built the first homes and ran their trading house, additionally referenced as a tavern, and a sawmill located near Laughton’s Ford[3] (Water Powered Mills). It is this first mill that initiated the need for a dam at the Hofmann dam site.

The Hofmann dam site originated as a natural dam on the Green Bay Trail of the Indian, aka, Riverside Ford.[4] Such can be seen on the Van Vechten Map of Indian Trails.[5] Here the Laughton Brothers built a semi-permanent dam to aid in mill production.[6] Due to the increasing need for pioneers to build shelters for themselves and their families, the Laughton Brothers began production as early as pre-1830. They successfully built the first sawmill in northeastern Illinois[7] which produced timber for the surrounding Chicago-land area, including the wagon industry and early retailers such as Weber, Schuttler and Poterman of Chicago.[8]

The Laughton Brothers sold their property to Norman Little in 1836. Unable to sustain mill production due to the harsh conditions of the Des Plaines River and the insufficient dams, he sold the property to Stephen Forbes, a prominent pioneer in the development of both Lyons and Riverside. The original sawmill is presumed to have closed around 1839.[9] Consequently, the property changed hands numerous times until a more substantial dam was built by the Fox Brothers in 1866.[10] A detailed description of ownership is listed in this document under “PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION/A. Physical History/3. First and subsequent owners.” This more substantial dam directly aided production of a grist-mill, entitled, the Riverside Milling Company, the second mill along the same section of the Des Plaines River.

Historical Use of Dams in Connection with Water Powered Mills: Riverside Milling Company – Productivity

The inception of the Riverside Milling Company and an improved dam with which to advance production was not realized until 1866. Prior to this date, the rights to improve the Hofmann dam site, as well as build a mill, changed possession and were eventually auctioned to Stephen White and Dr. George M. Fox. Since neither man possessed the ability to build both a mill and a dam, Mr. White sold his half-interest to Dr. George Fox’s brother, Jarvis M. Fox. Shortly thereafter, Dr. George Fox and his brother Jarvis M. Fox opened the doors of the Riverside Milling Company for business.[11]

While ownership of the Riverside Milling Company changed quite frequently over its 31 years of existence, the mill remained successful as a grist-mill. A description of the mill illustrates the orientation as running southwest to northeast, situated directly above its mill race.[12] Located east of the present day Lyons-Riverside Bridge, historically known as the Mill Bridge, the Riverside Mills and the mill race ran along the flow of the river from the Hofmann dam site, its primary source of water power.[13]

While the Riverside Milling Company was located on the south bank of the Des Plaines River, the dam at the Hofmann dam site, built specifically in connection with the mill, linked the south bank of the Des Plaines River belonging to Lyons, Illinois to the north bank of the river owned by the community of Riverside, Illinois. Originally planned in 1868-69 and developed into the mid-1900s, Riverside, Illinois was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., Calvert Bowyer Vaux & Co., Landscape Architects. As a cause of this, a large section of Riverside, Illinois is a recognized National Historic Landmark entitled the Riverside Historic District. The Hofmann dam is included in such district.

Olmsted, Vaux & Co., designed the suburban residential community of Riverside for developer, Emory Childs of the Riverside Improvement Company.[14] Inspiration for this suburban community, “the first planned model community”[15] stemmed from Olmsted’s beliefs in the benefit of open space and the positive attributes of living amongst nature. Specifically, his original 1868-69 plan for Riverside captured five innovations that continue to be studied and applied to the field of landscape architecture.[16] These innovations include deviation from the common grid pattern of city lots common of the period and the enhancement of the natural topography of a site and its curvilinear design, the creation of an economically integrated community, depressed roadways to ensure a view of nature possessing high integrity, the introduction of Deed Restrictions to inhibit the private ownership and the construction of fences and the introduction of parkways into the suburban street setting.[17] Such innovations, when implemented by Olmsted, paved the road to the peaceful and feasibly attained, suburban setting of Riverside. Within this setting sat the Hofmann dam site.

Frederick Law Olmsted had a specific interest in the curvilinear shaped mill-dam. He addressed its function and design in his Preliminary Report Upon the Proposed Suburban Village at Riverside, Near Chicago, 1868 by stating:[18]

“It will probably be best to increase the height of the mill-dam so as to enlarge the area of the public water suitable for boating and skating, and so as to completely cover some low, flat ground now exposed in low stages of the river. At the same time, a larger outlet should be provided to prevent floods above the dam from injuring the shore. A public drive and walk should be carried near the edge of the bank in such a way as to avoid destroying the more valuable trees growing upon it, and there should be pretty boat-landings, terraces, balconies overhanging the water, and pavilions at points desirable for observing regattas, mainly of rustic character, and to be half overgrown with vines.” p. 28

Frederick Law Olmsted included the mill-dam in his design for the Village of Riverside. Additionally, he specifically named the street of Millbridge Road after the significant mill and complex created by the Riverside Milling Company.

While Olmsted can be directly referenced regarding the design of the mill-dam, he also made comment on the ecological integrity of the river. Frederick Law Olmsted, in the Preliminary Report Upon the Proposed Suburban Village at Riverside, Near Chicago, 1868 stated the following passage:

“The water of the river is said to be ordinarily very clear, and we found it tolerably so after a heavy rain, which is remarkable in a prairie stream. It abounds with fish and wild fowl, is adapted to pleasure-boating, and can be improved in this respect. In parts, it already presents much beauty, and is everywhere susceptible of being refined and enriched by art to a degree which will render it altogether charming.”[19]

The aspects of both recreation and ecological stabilization were realized and anticipated by Olmsted. They remained the key uses of the dam while its function of mill-dam dissipated with the burning of the mill in 1897. For the next eleven years, the Hofmann dam site served the communities of Riverside and Lyons as a recreational site useful in aiding flood control and seemingly the ecological integrity of the Des Plaines River. Eventually, the roles of recreation and ecological stabilization were significantly affected with the purchase of the Hofmann dam site by George Hofmann Jr. in 1907.

Need photos of Design influence (German Castle towers, Army Corp., Wife, Della Castle)

“Twin towers” by Eichacker: detailed history of tower during Hofmann era, references dam.

George Hofmann Sr. came to Chicago from Germany in the early 1800’s. While he lived mainly in Chicago, his family frequently ventured out to Lyons where they owned much property. Additionally, George Hofmann Sr. and his three sons, John, Valentine and George Jr., were in the brewing business and distributed Hofmann Brewery Beer at Doty’s tavern in Lyons, Illinois. Doty’s Tavern, built at the site of the then burned Riverside Milling Company, was but one of many properties in Lyons owned by the Hofmann family in the triangle area, currently surrounded by Barrypoint Road, Joliet Road and Ogden Avenue. Through direct purchase and acquisition from family, George Hofmann Jr. eventually took possession of the Hofmann dam site in 1907. Shortly thereafter, he began reconstructed on three structures and improving open grounds for his new attraction, Niagara Park.

Niagara Park, named for the outcrop of bedrock which constitutes the floor of the Des Plaines at the Hofmann Dam area that does not resurface again until Niagara Falls, was the common name of George Hofmann Jr.’s recreation park. Niagara Park advertised clam bakes, boat rides, family picnicking and outdoor entertainment. For the same reason that Lyons, Illinois was popular amongst early American pioneers, it was frequented by Chicago-land area residents in the early 1900s in search of hospitality, a ride on the Des Plaines in the “Al Hofmann” or the “Niagara” and a drink.

Located amongst the historically “dry” towns of LaGrange, Riverside and Berwyn, Lyons boasted a number of beer gardens and affordable family outing venues. In fact, the business owners in Lyons, such as George Hofmann, funded and ran trolley lines to their establishments from numerous areas not already serviced by public transportation. The introduction of the Western Electric Company in Cicero caused an influx of residents in both west Chicago as well as Berwyn and Cicero.[20] With this influx came the West Towns Street Railway, which connected Lyons, Berwyn and LaGrange to the plant, and the expansion of the West Side Elevated to Harlem Ave.[21]

Just before transportation to Lyons began to increase, a similar series of events occurred in Joliet, Illinois in 1906.[22] After the Chicago and Joliet Railway Company completed its trackage between 48^th and Archer Avenue, they hired H.W. Sauber Construction Company to build Dellwood Park along the railway route in Lockport, Illinois. A 67 acre recreation area equipped with a 30 foot high dam, Dellwood Park captured the weekend attention and currency of Chicago residents. Two years later, George Hofmann Jr. hired the same construction company to build the Hofmann dam and tower at Niagara Park using a new material called concrete.

George Hofmann built the second dam at the Hoffman dam site in a horse-shoe design, similar to that which was already present. He drastically improved the permanence of the structure by building it with the newly developed material of concrete. While the dam spanned the entire width of the Des Plaines, it was located further west on the river, than the present dam structure, and comprised but a section of a larger superstructure. This concrete base connected the tower, dam and platforms on either side of the Des Plaines River.[23]

From plans that he supposedly smuggled from Germany, George Hofmann constructed a tower eight stories tall, consisting of five solid concrete floors. Of these floors, the first floor measured 12 feet high and the remainders, 24 feet high.[24]

In connection with the construction of the Hofmann dam and tower, George Hofmann revamped the exterior of the Riverview Club House in the same design as his newly built Hofmann tower. This building served as the main office of Niagara Park. Upon completion of the Hofmann dam, tower and office, Niagara Park occupied the land south of the Des Plaines River north of present day Ogden Avenue.

While the beer garden and facilities mainly occupied the triangle section of land surrounded by present day Joliet Road, Barrypoint Road and Ogden Avenue, as well as the land east of the Niagara Park offices located on Joliet Road, the boat docks and boat house extended as far west along the Des Plaines River as the triangle property.[25] This is evidences by the structural beams which once held up the wooden dock of Hofmann recreational boating enterprise that are still present.[26]

One can view the design original to the time of George Hofmann’s Jr.’s Niagara Park in the wall immediately west of the tower. This wall, displaying large concrete spheres on concrete pillars, remains intact. Additionally, possible evidence of a turbine used in attempt to produce electricity, and dam controls are still visible on the first floor of the tower structure. A solid retaining wall along the east side of the tower[27] replaced a previous retaining wall that once held an opening through which water freely flowed under the tower. This passage way, coupled with a large section cut from the base of the tower, suggests the presence of machinery used in the production of hydro-electricity.

The success of George Hofmann’s Niagara Park disappeared as the populations of areas along the Des Plaines River and Salt Creek began dumping raw sewage into the River. While intended to retain a pool of water for boating and recreational activities, the Hofmann Dam was retaining raw sewage and sludge. The presence of this disgustingness sent potential customers and even residents from the Des Plaines River area to new homes and other recreational facilities in the area.

Ultimately, the implementation of prohibition in July, 1919 put a tremendous burden on George Hofmann as the owner of a brewery and beer garden.[28] George Hofmann eventually closed his doors for business in the 1920s. However, he did not go quietly. Repulsed by the dumping of raw sewage into the Des Plaines River, that contributed to the demise of his outdoor recreation and brewing business, George Hofmann adamantly opposed the dumping activities and was an advocate for the sanitation of the Des Plaines River.

Historically, residents of the Des Plaines Valley and state and city officials complained of pollution of the Des Plaines River as early as the late 1800s. In 1914, when reports regarding the sources of pollution began, possible solutions were investigated by the Chicago Sanitary District in an attempt to put an end to the horrific conditions of the River. Investigations revealed that the location of the Hofmann Dam, located downstream from the poorly operating Maywood Treatment Plant and the La Grange and other Salt Creek sewage, was a primary contributor to the pollution. Further examination revealed that the Hofmann dam, and Mr. George Hofmann’s refusal to open and operate the gates of such, also contributed to the continually piling sludge behind the dam. While study of the Des Plaines River’s pollution dilemma ignited further inquiry into the proper treatment of sewage disposal, it also provoked a legal battle between state officials and Mr. George Hofmann regarding the ownership and operation rights of a dam by an individual when such property is inherently public by cause and effect.

While the conflict regarding ownership had not yet been resolved, during the year of 1928, a sewage bypass system was built into the north bank of the Des Plaines River, the property owned by Riverside. While the legalities regarding the necessity of a permit were underway, the President of the Sanitary District resumed construction. It was not until the conclusion of construction that a verdict was returned and a permit was necessary to complete the bypass. To the relief of Riverside and all residents of the Des Plaines River Valley, the Dam had been underhandedly bypassed and the sludge could begin filtering down stream.

Ownership and control of the Hofmann dam remained a topic of controversy until power was granted to the Sanitary District of Chicago to “remove obstructions from the Des Plaines River by excavating, dredging or filling, within the territorial limits of such Sanitary when necessary to prevent a nuisance therein.” - State of Illinois Office of Secretary of State: 1931

Between the years of 1930 through 1933 a series of improvements were implemented upon the Des Plaines River above the Hofmann dam. Such improvements resulted in the successful disbursement of approximately four feet of sludge from behind the Hofmann dam. The proceedings leading up to this event also resulted in an improved sewage system for the surrounding areas and the formation of the Cook County Clean Streams Committee, dedicated to accomplishing of all the streams in Cook County, “…an adequate seasonal flow and depth of clear water, free from pollution, so that there may be conserved for the people their health and safety, their recreation spaces, water transportation, aquatic life, property values and agriculture.” – History of Efforts to Combat Pollution: p. 19.

In 1935 an engineering committee comprised of representatives of the “Illinois Division of Waterways, State Sanitary Water Board, Cook County Forest Preserve District, The Sanitary District of Chicago, Cook County Clean Streams Committee and Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District, in cooperation with the Chicago Regional Planning Association…” drafted and accepted rules and guidelines to aid in the proper development of the Des Plaines River. Within this document, they gave themselves full control over the water levels and flow of water at all dams, as well as the “diversion of water for private use during low water periods.”

During the period of 1936, a number of W.P.A. projects were undertaken along the Des Plaines River. One of these projects included the removal of the collapsed wooden crest of the Hoffman dam in 1936.[29] After removing the rickety wooden timbers which constituted the crest of the second dam, W.P.A. workers lowered the height of the second dam below 25.56 feet Chicago datum. Since the timbers were never returned or replaced, this action followed by no action triggered much debate regarding the appropriate crest height of the third dam to be constructed in 1950.

1950: Rebuilding the Dam (State of Illinois: Department of Public Works and Buildings: Division of Waterways) - Pollution

Concerns regarding sanitation and pollution of the Des Plaines River persisted when the State of Illinois: Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways, cut the then existing Hofmann dam, second dam, below water level and built the current, third dam a few feet down river from the pre-existing dam site. Specifically, much debate was publicized regarding the appropriate crest of the new dam. At the time of construction, the Attorney General had advised engineers that:

“The right to maintain the dam at an elevation of 25.56 depends on whether or not the dam was maintained at that height for at least twenty years immediately prior to 1936 and if so whether the lowering of the crest to an elevation of 24.08 in 1936 constituted an abandonment of the right to maintain the same at a crest elevation of 25.56.”[30]

Due to the complex history of the Hofmann dam site, the appropriate crest level for the third dam constructed underwent intense scrutiny. Eventually, the third dam was erected in a straight line spanning the entire width of the Des Plaines at such location. The crest level of the previous dam had been lowered below 25.56 feet Chicago datum or 605.00 feet U.S.G.S. datum. After much debate, the crest level of this, third dam was constructed at 605.00 feet U.S.G.S. datum and, thus returned to the crest level at which both the first and second dams were originally built. This dam remains intact to date.

The Hofmann Tower sold to Forest Preserve District of Cook County 1946 – Window & frames removed 1954 – Village Landmark 1972 – State Register of Historic Places 1978 – National Register of Historic Places 1978 – Hofmann tower Restoration League formed 1981 – Building finally closed to elements in 1982 – Building turned over to State of Illinois 1984 when erected new retaining wall – State installed new concrete roof & flagpole, repaired parapets, installed interior electricity, reinforced floor, installed new steel stairs and railings and duplicated original door in 1987.[31]

[1] Historic Photograph

[2] Regarding the Chicago Portage trail, specifically, beginning at the Mississippi a traveler could connect to the Illinois River in Grafton, Illinois and thus, the Des Plaines River, one of its major tributaries. Once at Lyons on the Des Plaines, a shallow creek called the Portage Creek linked the traveler to Mud Lake via a two mile passageway. Upon crossing Mud Lake, a one and one-half mile land portage connected the eastern end of Mud Lake to the West Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River. Once on the Chicago River, one had direct connection to Lake Michigan and the opportunities at hand.

[3] Laughton’s Ford is but one of a series of fording spots located in the immediate area surrounding Lyons, Illinois and utilized historically by the American Indians and the pioneers and explorers who followed. The remaining three fords are commonly referred to as Indian or Riverside Ford, Stoney Ford, and Summit Ford. (Benedetti- - p. 28)

[4] “A ford was located in Riverside just below the natural dam, and was known as ‘Indian Ford’ or ‘Riverside Ford’. Travelers on the Green Bay trail used this ford.”Portage, Pioneers and Pubs: A History of Lyons, Illinois 1963 pg. 28

[5] Green Bay Trails from Quaife & Pierce. P.98

[6] Vierling – intro (Year Indians ceded land in northern Illinois to U.S.) – only reported holdings by Laughton.

[7] Vierling reference 1-2; pg. 11.

[8] Benedetti, p. 46

[9] Vierling p.11

[10] Vierling 47-54.

[11] Vierling 47-54.

[12] Vierling 47-54.

[13] Vierling 47-54. (Description of existing Mill in 1895); Sanborn Map 1895

[14] Riverside Historic District: National Historic Landmark nomination (2004 p. 4)

[15] Riverside Historic District: National Historic Landmark nomination (2004 p. 2)

[16] 1969 Nat’l Reg. Nomination Form – Riverside Landscape Arch. District

[17] 1969 Nat’l Reg. Nomination Form – Riverside Landscape Arch. District p. 2

[18] Preliminary Report Upon the Proposed Suburban Village at Riverside, Near Chicago, by Olmsted, Vaux & co., Landscape Architects 1868. p. 28

[19] Preliminary Report Upon the Proposed Suburban Village at Riverside, Near Chicago, by Olmsted, Vaux & co., Landscape Architects 1868. p. 15

[20] Eichacker p. 19

[21] Eichacker p. 19

[22] Eichacker p. 19

[23] Historic Photos; 1950 Blue Prints

[24] Eichacker

[25] Sanborn Map 1909

[26] Current photos; Historic Photos

[27] 1983 improvements

[28] Eichacker p. 19

[29] Riverside News 8/24/50 p. 1

[30] Riverside News 1950 p. 1

[31] Eichacker