Browsing by people, organizations and landmarks: year:
1956/04/05: Sterling Morton to Edward H. Baker, Jr. (3.104987)
Date: April 5 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Edward H. Baker. He discusses in detail his thoughts on the tollway and its impact on Morton Arboretum. "The stretch of right-of-way the toll road authorities can secure from the Arboretum is probably one of the longest to be secured from private individuals." That should give extra bargaining power and leverage in location and other requests. The land to the south of the tollway should be disposed of. Property values are increasing here, which should be to their advantage. It appears that the Arboretum boundaries are largely determined. Godshalk can proceed with fencing plans, road development, housing and water development.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/04/09: Edward H. Baker to Sterling Morton (3.104989)
Date: April 9 1956Creator: Baker Jr., Edward H.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Edward H. Baker to Sterling Morton, in reply to his letter of April 5, 1956. The course of the toll road is roughly as Morton wanted, but there is no final agreement yet. There are several problems. The cloverleaf will permit exit and entrance from the east only. The turnoff curve as proposed will take too much land. Morton is proposing that Rte 53 will be four lanes under the tollway. The Highway commission will only put in a tunnel under an existing road [Rte 53] and not under the proposed tollway to access the Lacey land . There have been no discussions of land acquisition or right-of-way, none of which is the domain of the State Highway Engineers. He contemplates a visit in Springfield with the Chief of the State Highway section, but doubts the success there. Also he mentioned DuPage County Representative, John King, but this is an election year. For the property south of the tollway, Baker has several ideas which he will discuss the next time he and Morton can meet.
Extent: 3 sheets
1956/07/11: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.104990)
Date: July 11 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Mrs. Zurcher, Mr. Fisher and Morton selected 7 houses to build, plus a few extras. Building is slow now, and perhaps they can get "some efficient operator" to build them to provide much needed facilities for staff. He asked Fisher about the Jaffrey house, with the idea that the second floor be removed to make it a "large commodious single family house in a commanding position in the operating center of the Arboretum." If the highway cloverleaf requires the removal of the two south houses, there will be a greater need for another house in this location. Mr. Fisher has heard that the highway department will pay up to $1/per yard for "good accessible fill". This might help pay for the underpass. He is pleased to get back to a house [Santa Barbara] where everything is in working order. Lake Forest has problems. He won't bother Godshalk with plantings for Lake Forest, but would like some of the crabapples, yews and thorns for someone else to oversee.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/09/03: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.104995)
Date: September 3 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He is pleased to hear of the progress on the new building. If a few items are left unfinished before the meeting, that will help people see the progress that has been made. Victor Zurcher was impressed with the efficiency of the new work center at South Farm. He is pleased that Godshalk will be able to cover the work on the trees at $10 per tree in the regular budget. He hopes the new climber will be a positive addition. Test holes where he would like to build another lake show the soil is just what the highway department will want for fill. Godshalk should work with Zurcher and Ed Baker to get a good price for it. He would not be upset if the lake only fills to the level of the river, but doesn't want to see any of the dirty river water enter the new lake. He details other measures connected to the new lake, including putting in a new dam. Because of the dire need for a solution to Dutch elm disease, he is willing to try any effort. Mrs. Zurcher reports Dutch elm disease on a tree on the Lake Forest property. Morton recommends that it be tested, as it might be drooping because of the 17 year cicadas. He will condense his speech to 10 minutes for the meeting so that guest will be able to give full attention to the main speaker. Help from Argonne Laboratories to trace the circulation within trees with radioactive materials would give insight in the Dutch elm problem.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/01/18: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84499)
Date: January 18 1956Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C .E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton updating him on the construction going on around the Arboretum. They should soon know how the plans for the Toll Road will affect the Arboretum. Godshalk would like to interview Gordon Scott for the open position in public relations. Mr. Frye of Arthur Anderson & Company streamlined the bookkeeping. Godshalk then discusses staffing changes he would like to make. He would like to add a record keeping position. He hasn't yet had time to make up an order for plants for Morton's place but will soon do so for an early spring delivery.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/01/30: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84500)
Date: January 30 1956Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton updating him on the planning he has done for Morton's property in Illinois. He also updates him on the progress of the construction going on around the Arboretum. The deal for the Jones land has been completed. Now they will work on purchasing the McMahon land. They should soon know how the new toll road will affect the Arboretum; it looks like they are still planning on going on the south side of the Arboretum. He explains why Jones, as a janitor, is also a good bookkeeper. Mr. Scott is due to arrive for his interview on February 8. Dr. Carter and Dr. Campana from the Illinois Natural History Survey were at the Arboretum to discuss plans for working together when the new laboratory is completed. Pat Chapman of the Morton Salt Company is writing an article for the "Sprout" on the new research program and the housing project.
Extent: 3 sheets