After its introduction at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Baha'i faith gained popularity in the U.S. through one of its first American followers, Corinne True. True chose the Wilmette site with approval from Baha'i officials, deeming it the "chosen place." While construction began around 1920, the temple was not fully complete or dedicated until 1953. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it's one of seven Baha'i temples in the world and the only one in the U.S.
June 28, 1931: The Baha'i House of Worship, built of concrete and glass, has nine entrances which are symbolic of Baha'i principles. — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Jan. 16, 1931: Flames sweep the dome of Baha'i House of Worship, which was nearing completion. Wilmette and Evanston firefighters worked to save the structure, which the caption calls "one of the most beautiful specimens of architecture in the world." Damage was estimated at $50,000. — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Feb. 26, 1949: A view of the cornerstone near the center of the Foundation Hall floor (the oldest part of the temple). It was laid by `Abdu'l-Bahá, eldest son of the Baha'i faith founder, in 1912. Members of the congregation visit the stone and sit in prayer. A spotlight is focused on the stone at all times. — Russell Hamm / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Jan. 8, 1952: An interior view of the dome. — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
May 4, 1953: Interior view shows seating and the reading stand. The temple was finally dedicated days before, with about 3,500 people in attendance. — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
June 4, 1953: In the heart of the lace-lake dome is the Arabic symbol meaning "O Thou The Glory of Glories," an invocation to the one God of all. — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Oct. 23, 1969: A view of the Baha'i House of Worship before a new flood lighting system was installed. The new lighting increased the illumination five times and gave the appearance of daylight. — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Undated: Boaters soak up the sun in Wilmette with Baha'i Temple in view. — Russell Hamm / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Feb. 28, 1970: A view from the top of the dome. At the time, the Baha'i faith had about 15,000 members in the United States and fewer than 20,000 in the world. — James Mayo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Aug. 1, 1971: The dome of the Baha'i House of Worship, which the caption describes as "God's Orange Juice Squeezer." — Tribune Archive Photo / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Aug. 3, 1978: Nearly 500,000 people visited the nine-sided Baha'i Temple every year. The Wilmette structure cost $2 million to build, financed through the contributions of followers. — Luigi Mendicino / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Dec. 16, 1983: The Baha'i House of Worship looms behind Wilmette Harbor. — John Dziekan / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Oct. 23, 1990: Jens Von Krogh (left) and Mead Simon repel down the dome. They removed window coverings as part of cleaning and restoration of the temple's ornamental concrete facade. — Mario Petitti / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
Oct. 24, 1990: Dave Hadden, project supervisor, looks over the edge and talks to two men working along the side of Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette. — Mario Petitti / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014
April 26, 1991: Baha'i officials chat before the start of the Baha'i National Convention in Wilmette. — Chuck Berman / Chicago Tribune, Sept. 18, 2014