By F. A. GUSHING SMITH, A.S.L.A. Editor, The
American Landscape Architect
VILLA TURICUM, the country estate of Mrs. Rockefeller McCormick, at Lake Forest, Illinois, is regarded as the finest example in America of the Italian treatment in landscape design. This notable summer home, of approximately three hundred acres, is situated on a high bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The entire plateau, which is nearly level, and the steep bank toward the lake, are covered with a fine stand of native oak, maple, ash and hickory. The elusive and delightful pattern of the estate design has been boldly cut out of this woodland. So cleverly have the details been worked out by Charles A. Platt, the designer, that at no one point can the entire beauty of the plan be admired. Bits of ancient Italian garden ornaments, charming details in bronze and wrought iron, and original pieces of sculpture are used as accents and points of interest at the ends of long sun-flecked vistas or as the central features of the various gardens and terraces. One can almost imagine, upon a blue-skied June day, that a villa from the Italian lake region had been bodily transplanted to Illinois.
The residence, which faces the western sun, is finished in stucco with green shutters, tile roof, balanced fenestration, and a stenciled cornice in bright colors. It terminates a broad mall, about one hundred feet in width and five hundred feet in length, which is reached by a long straight stretch of entrance road cut through the forest. The service wings of the house to the north are concealed by the heavy native woodland planting, which lines both sides of the approach mall. The first glimpse of the residence from the west, as it is framed by the woodland, and viewed between the arching branches of the elm trees which mark the edge of the central grass panel of the mall, is a sight never to be forgotten. The house terrace to the east is the first of several levels that extend down to the beach. In its center there is a large marble fountain, with a bronze figure as the decorative feature. The two wings of the house almost enclose this terrace, while toward the east or lake side, the broad panorama of Lake Michigan spreads out before us.
It is on this steep bank, toward the lake, that there was completed, in 1912, a series of terraces, reached by winding ramps and steps The terraces are marked by some beautiful pieces of sculpture, which as fountain sources have been set into niches in the easterly retaining walls of the various overlook levels. The water which originates in the fountain on the uppermost terrace reappears in a wall fountain and basin on the second terrace.
This terrace, of grass, is enclosed by a balustrade, and from it we reach the next lower level by means of a semi-circular winding series of ramps. So cleverly has the width of the ramps been studied, and so easy is the incline, that neither ascending nor descending tires the visitor.
At the bottom of the stairway is the level from which the marble shells form a cascade of some height. Above the cascade is a pink marble baby figure, which pours water into a lower basin, from which it reaches the mouth of a marble dolphin at the upper end of the cascades. Steps of marble lead down either side of the cascade. The water is so regulated that it gently follows the contours of the shells, with just a pleasing murmur.
Tall, dark, pyramidal cedar and arbor-vitae make a dense impenetrable frame for this picture. The intermediate terrace, which lies between the two series of cascades, is rather narrow, with a stone flower-box and a low balustrade toward the east. At either side, the stone ramps lead down to the fountain which is the source of supply for the lower cascades. Here a pelican, guarded at each side by a grinning alligator, fills a basin and becomes the source of the quietly splashing waters of the lower cascade.
At the foot of the steps, at the side of the second waterfall, is a terrace paved with brick. This forms the roof of the dressing-rooms adjacent to the marble swimming pool. The swimming pool, heavily framed by woodland planting, terminates this interesting bank treatment.
To the south of the house we have access from the living porch to the promenade fountain terrace. A wide grass panel, in which the playing jet of a tall fountain forms the center of interest, is flanked on either side with planting beds edged with a low barberry hedge. Myriads of peonies and flowering plants fill the formal beds. and to the west or woodland side, and the east or lake side, are huge green tubs filled with clipped bay trees. In line with the bronze fountain, far to the south, down a long elm-lined vista, has been placed a tea house, lighted at night by a huge chandelier, and accented in its height and contrasting red tile roof by the forest trees. To the right of the promenade terrace we may wander down a gravel walk to the hemlock hedge-enclosed lily pool garden. Because of the rise in grade at the south of this garden we feel as though the entire area were sunken.
The early days of June bring a profusion of color in the many varieties of irises then in bloom. Here, also, all the planting areas are trimly lined with low barberry hedges. A pink marble basin, about one hundred feet in length, is presided over at either end by a group of three bronze dolphins, which with the pedestal send sheets of water over the lily pool below. The water lilies in June are in their prime, and when the fountain is playing on a bright day, the garden is a riot of color. Six formal marble herms have been effectively set along either side of the garden, where they make a most effective sculptural group against the high evergreen hedge, suggesting the Roman gardens of long ago.
Above this charming garden, reached by two short flights of marble steps, lies the bowling green, enclosed by a balustrade and wall of stone. Stone seats, from which the games may be watched, flanked at either side by bronze lighting fixtures, make the enclosure walls most interesting from an architectural and decorative point of view.
The south lawn, many acres in extent, is reached from the bowling green. As we walk toward the east we traverse the allée that leads to the tea-house pavilion.
The service buildings are built about a paved courtyard, in the center of which are set tubbed oleanders and terra cotta pots filled with ivy and annual flowers. In this group and enclosure is staged the lovely displays of garden flowers brought each year to "Villa Turicum" by the members of the Lake Forest Garden Club.
Beyond the carriage house to the east lie the vegetable and cut flower gardens, terminated by a garden house at the lower end. The area is enclosed by a high stucco wall, framed by towering oaks. A mighty oak monarch, two hundred and fifty years of age, graces the center of the circular cut flower garden. A circular stone seat hugs the trunk, and beyond the wide encircling walk a mass of roses of all varieties bloom throughout the June days, as though to pay homage to the mighty oak.
Many varieties of peonies, as well as countless beds of annual flowers, vie with the roses in furnishing blooms for the house. That marvel, a weedless vegetable garden, lies west and up the slope to the service group. In the early spring the walls are brightened by hawthorns and apple blossoms. The winding drives from the service court reach the main highway approach, and swing through the woodland to the mall and to the service wing. "Villa Turicum" is indeed both charming and magnificent. The ideal envisioned by the artist and his client have found full expression in the gardens, the walks, the waters, the vistas and panoramas. The photographs convey a measure of the beauty which really beggars description. ©1997-2005 Joe Nisil
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