DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rooted in Tradition
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 10, 2026
1. Rooted in Tradition Marker
For the two generations of Ellwoods living in the mansion from 1879 to 1964, colorful blooms, climbing vines, potted palms, and manicured landscapes made up the backdrop of everyday life. From cultivating exotic specimens and entertaining on the grounds, to hosting a grand wedding in the garden, the Ellwoods took great pride in maintaining a celebrating a lush environment.
Mansion Conservatory
While the idea of growing plants inside the home was far from new in the Victorian period, indoor gardening reached new heights in the early 1900s. Advances in heating combined with the availability of hardy houseplants made it possible for more and more people to fill their homes with foliage and flowers. For Perry and May Ellwood, the new conservatory space, attached to the back of their home, was beautiful and functional - here, they could easily host guests, enjoy a meal with the children, or relax among the greenery.
The Terrace
Not indoor, but not fully outdoor, the 1912 terrace adopted a contemporary view of melding the natural and constructed world, with stopped levels, urns, potted plans, and climbing vines uniting
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From the terrace adults could supervise children at play, white looking out over May Ellwood's garden to the south. The terrace was a favorite spot for family photos and remains so for the public today.
Planning and Maintenance
The Ellwoods could not care for their nearly 1,200-acre estate alone. The renowned Chicago landscape design firm Swain Nelson and Sons is credited with much of the planning, while employees like Will Lindgren, known as "Old Will," performed day-to-day maintenance at times working alongside members of the family.
Harriet's Greenhouse
To your right, between the mansion and brick Museum House (later known as the "Curiosity Shop"), was once a large glass greenhouse. Built around 1907 for Harriet Ellwood (1837-1910), the building housed plants, a decorative fountain, and large palms. Harriet was a collector of minerals, relics, and curiosities and extended her Victorian-era collecting to exotic plants and trees.
The greenhouse's splendor was short-lived. On April 20, 1916, Perry and May Ellwood returned from their winter home in Florida to find that the structure had collapsed. The area was
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 10, 2026
2. Rooted in Tradition Marker & Ellwood House
Patty and I.L. Ellwood stand outside the Ellwood mansion. The enclosed conservatory with lattice walls, can be seen directly behind them, circa 1913.
Gardener Will Lindgren, known to the Ellwood family as "Old Will," circa 1905.
H.B. Gurler with grandchildren John, I.L., and Patty Ellwood on the mansion's terrace, circa 1924.
Two unidentified men stand near Harriet's greenhouse, circa 1910.
In 1934, the garden was chosen by Patience Ellwood and Joseph Walter Towle Jr. as the location for their June wedding.
Erected by the Public Museum Capital Grants Program, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Illinois State Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1916.
Location. 41° 56.114′ N, 88° 45.171′ W. Marker is in DeKalb, Illinois, in DeKalb County. It can be reached from Linden Place north of Augusta Avenue, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located to the southwest of the Ellwood House in DeKalb. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 420 Linden Place, Dekalb IL 60115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mrs. Ellwood’s Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellwood House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellwood Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ellwood House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Little House (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellwood Green (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General Johann De Kalb White Oak (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jacob Haish (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeKalb.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
