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Stronghold
Visitors traveling into Oregon on scenic Route 2 will see a Tudor-style
Castle, which is home to Stronghold, a four season Conference, Retreat
and Camping Center operated by the Presbytery of Blackhawk, the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Situated high on a bluff overlooking
the Rock River, the Conference Center offers modern retreat buildings,
cabins, and a central dining facility situated on 360 acres of woodland,
meadows, and prairie. The Center offers varied and flexible environments
for day use as well as overnight accommodations. Group sizes may
range from ten to two hundred. People representing education organizations,
community service agencies, business planning groups, senior citizens,
Christian adult and youth groups, use the facilities for overnight
retreats, one day seminars, banquets, proms, picnics, family reunions,
outdoor education, camping and a variety of other activities. Stronghold
offers a number of programs throughout the year, including Summer
Camps for youth from 1st grade through 12th grade. An outdoor education
program for grades 5-8 was introduced in 2003. Groups of fifteen
or more can make reservations for a weekday Castle tour.
Olde English Banquet and Faire
Stronghold presents special events including the Annual Benefit
Concert, held in the Castle Thanksgiving Weekend. The largest special
event is the Olde English Banquet and Faire, part of Oregon's Autumn
on Parade Festival. The Renaissance Faire includes swordfighters,
wandering players, musicians, Queen Elizabeth and her Court, special
events for children, unique crafts and food booths.
History
The Castle was built by Walter Strong, publisher and editor of the
Chicago Daily News. Inspired by European castles the Strong family
had visited, Walter and Josephine Strong decided to build a castle
of their own as a summer retreat for their family and many friends.
Most of the Castle construction, including pool and tennis court,
was done in 1929 and 1930. Built on solid rock and designed for
possible expansion, the completed Castle and its Carriage House
wing contained twenty-five rooms, including sixteen bedrooms, nine
baths, eight fireplaces, four secret passages, and a "Great Hall,"
35' wide, 55' long and 34' high. The five story Castle tower commands
a magnificent overlook of the Rock River and surrounding areas.
Tragically, Mr. Strong died in 1931, but the family continued to
use the retreat until 1961, when Josephine Strong passed away. Reluctantly,
the Strong children decided to sell Stronghold, and sought a buyer
who would continue to use and develop the property for purposes
of retreat and renewal. The Presbyterian Camping Association of
Northern Illinois purchased the facility in 1962. Subsequently Stronghold's
ownership was deeded to the Trustees of the Presbytery of Blackhawk,
under whose ownership it remains today.
Directions:
Stronghold is located 2 miles north of Oregon, Illinois, on Highway
2.
Stronghold
1922 IL Rt. 2 North
P.O. Box 199
Oregon, IL 61061
www.strongholdcenter.org
Contact for information
815-732-6111
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