Hidden Landscape Gems

Hurley Gardens

by Heather Prince

Hidden away in the Adare Farm subdivision of Wheaton, is a treasured remnant of the former sprawling estate of Edward Hurley. A gazebo, teahouse, and reflecting pool quietly dwell with a tennis court amidst single family homes. Step between the high boxwood hedges and walk back into time.

Edward Hurley was one of a select group of wealthy Chicago businessmen who built estates around the present-day Chicago Golf Club, one of the oldest golf courses in the U.S. Hurley made his millions with his invention of the first pistontype pneumatic drill and by 1908 founded the Hurley Machine Co., which manufactured the first self-contained electric washing machine. His estate, called Hurley Farm, was 160 acres featuring a large Tudor-style home that has since been moved to the grounds of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center. The current garden structures were built in the Neoclassical Revival style sometime between 1910 and 1913 and were designed by an Italian landscape architect whose name has been lost. The tennis court is a 1960s addition. The Wheaton Park District acquired Hurley Gardens in 1979 and completed extensive renovations in 1992. It was named a historic site in 1991.

At the Creekside Drive entrance, you are greeted by matching sets of old dwarf Alberta pines and a sign explaining the origin of the gardens. Tall geometric sheared boxwood hedges line the paver walkways. The crisp white stuccoed buildings float above them, anchored by magnolia trees in lawn parterres. As you walk down the path, you’ll pause at four large concrete urns filled with flowering annuals. The teahouse rises on your right with an arcade of Ionic columns and lattice work with walls set with decorative ceramic tiles. A brick addition that includes a fireplace is typically locked. Newer benches are placed between the columns as a quiet respite.

The gazebo repeats the Ionic columns, lattice, and tiles, only in a smaller iteration. They frame the long formal walk to the reflecting pool and pergola framed by more boxwood. The reflecting pool originally was a swimming pool for the estate. Annual flowers overflow decorative urns and bloom at the foot of the boxwood, delighting pollinators.

These tantalizing remnants of the larger estate provide an example of formal landscape architecture from the Neoclassical Revival period post-1893 Columbia Exhibition in Chicago. The strong axes and tightly sheared hedges direct the eye and encourage staying on the paths. The hedges open at last, releasing you to the pool and the cheerful sound of bubbling fountains. The park district does a wonderful job of maintaining the hedges and planting the containers in layers of summer color. In spring, the pink magnolias soften the strong lines and add a touch of romance. This is an interesting spot to soak in formal landscape architecture, even if somewhat incongruously scrunched between typical subdivision homes. Stop for a few moments to experience the intimate scale of the structures and enjoy the formal restraint of the lines and vistas.

Creekside and Adare Drives Wheaton, IL Hours: dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted Admission: free

The Legend of

Ed Bryant

Ed Bryant, Unilock Founder November 30, 1935 - January 28, 2021

Nothing great is ever accomplished alone.

~ Ed Bryant

As we approach the end of our 50th year, we’d be remiss if we didn’t take this opportunity to highlight the man, the myth, the Legend himself: our founder, Ed Bryant.

Ed was pivotal in establishing the hardscaping industry in North America, bringing the iconic UNI-Stone® from Europe in 1972 and building the fi rst permanent manufacturing plant here. Since then, Unilock has continued to lead the pack, cultivating connections with the very best installers, dealers and project designers. Our company was the fi rst to introduce ground-breaking innovations like face-mix, permeable pavers and coated products, and launched the Unilock Authorized Contractor program more than 30 years ago.

All this was possible because Ed Bryant cultivated a business approach that values genuine, long term relationships over short-term, transactional gain. From highly engaged Unilock staff to powerful decades-long partnerships with others around the globe, our team approach continues to be mutually benefi cial for all involved. It’s a mindset that has brought us 50 years of success and will keep us paving it forward for the next 50 years. Ed would be proud.