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Photo 86-BLA-9

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This property is located near the northeast corner of Hunt Club Rd. and W. Wadsworth Rd. in Old Mill Creek north of Gurnee. The small house located closest to the road is 39305 Hunt Club Rd. and the house closest to the horse track is 39285 Hunt Club Rd. The two houses still exist today along with one barn building near the upper right of the photo.

The farms throughout the area, consisting of 1,000s of acres, were purchased and owned by Tempel J. Smith, Sr. (1908-1980), president of the Tempel Steel Company and his wife Esther (VanderLaan) Smith. Tempel Farms was a subsidiary of the steel company. The farm was known for raising Lipizzan horses that were imported from Austria. In 1958, Smith purchased twenty horses and brought them to Spring Grove, IL. Hiring veterinarians, professional breeders and riders to grow the herd. In 1969, he purchased the East Good Luck Stables, formerly owned by John F. Jelke, (located to the right of the photo - now shown), which is now the home of the Lipizzan stallions. Starting in 1982, the first performance for the public was held and the herd now consisted of 400 Lipizzaners. The performances are still held today.

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