Neil N. Campbell: Engineering Lake Forest

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Neil N. Campbell: Engineering Lake Forest

Neil and Helen Fielden Campbell.

215 Washington Circle.

215 Washington Circle.

His father was Dugald Campbell and his mother Annie McPhee, both families originated in Argyllshire, Scotland. The Campbell family moved to Zion, Illinois in 1901.

His father was Dugald Campbell and his mother Annie McPhee, both families originated in Argyllshire, Scotland. The Campbell family moved to Zion, Illinois in 1901.

In March of 1945, Neil and Helen are seen at the wedding of their daughter, Jean, to Maj. Kenneth Procter. Maj. Proctor was an American pilot who served in England as part of an US to UK pilot exchange program.

In March of 1945, Neil and Helen are seen at the wedding of their daughter, Jean, to Maj. Kenneth Procter. Maj. Proctor was an American pilot who served in England as part of an US to UK pilot exchange program.

Neil is pictured last on right and his wife Helen is 2nd on the right. Deerpath Inn, 1945 at the wedding reception for daughter Jean.

Neil is pictured last on right and his wife Helen is 2nd on the right. Deerpath Inn, 1945 at the wedding reception for daughter Jean.

Neil and Helen Campbell visit 6 week old grand-daughter Chrissy Procter, in 1947.

Neil and Helen Campbell visit 6 week old grand-daughter Chrissy Procter, in 1947.

In 1955, Neil Campbell traveled to Scotland to visit family. He is seen here with Ian Douglas Campbell, the 11th Duke of Argyle.

In 1955, Neil Campbell traveled to Scotland to visit family. He is seen here with Ian Douglas Campbell, the 11th Duke of Argyle.

Born in Ontario to a Scottish family, Neil N. Campbell first came to work in Lake Forest in 1910, shortly after graduating with a degree in engineering from the University of Illinois. He was promoted to become Lake Forest’s City Engineer in 1917, and he celebrated as befits an engineer: by building his family a house (at 215 Washington Circle). Here Neil and Helen Campbell raised three daughters - Dorothy, Vivian and Jean.
Under Campbell’s jurisdiction as City Engineer for 31 years were plats, property lines, streets, and sewers, sidewalks, and street lights. In 1928 he supervised the paving of two sections of Westminster and Western Avenue. According to the Lake Forester, the streets were “opened to traffic on the third day after the concrete was laid, one of the first sections of three-day concrete anywhere in the country.” The engineering feat was recognized by the Universal Portland Cement Company.
Other career highlights included surveying and the engineering design for Deerpath Golf Course; the athletic field at Lake Forest High School; and the first sketches for the Skokie Highway through Lake Forest, the Deerpath underpass, and the underpass at Westleigh Road.
He oversaw a time of transition in Lake Forest, as changing lifestyles and economic circumstances slowed estate growth and stimulated the subdivision of large properties. He became the town’s second City Manager in 1948. When he retired in 1955, he had served the City for over 40 years.