Our History

Learn about the rich history of Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.

The Illinois Saint Andrew Society was established in Chicago in 1845 to promote Scottish culture and heritage. Today known as Chicago Scots, it remains one of the world’s largest and most vital Scottish cultural organizations and the oldest not-for-profit organization in Illinois.

In 1910, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society opened the Scottish Home to provide warm, genuine care rooted in a deep sense of Scottish tradition. For more than a century, we have provided modern, top-quality care and aging services while promoting the “Scottish Way:” connection, tradition and compassionate care for all people.

The Scottish Home

The Scottish Home

In 1910, the Scottish Home moved to a 5-acre tract of land in North Riverside donated by John MacGill. The organization hired famous architect William Bryce Mundie to design the building and oversee the construction. Mundie had Scottish roots – he was the grandson of a famous Scottish architect, and his support for the Scottish Home was so great that he ultimately donated his fee back to the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. Although the original building was destroyed by fire in 1917, supporters at the time were insistent that “the Scottish Home must not die in its own ashes.”

The commitment of the Scottish-American community was so strong that it took just two weeks to raise the necessary funds to rebuild. A second building, designed by Mundie with additional fireproofing, was built just six months later.

Today, the legacy building we still know as The Scottish Home continues to provide this sense of connected and compassionate living to everyone who passes through its doors. Whatever care option you seek, the Scottish Home offers the ideal setting, a beautiful space where lives are enriched and empowered every day. Here, we offer a full spectrum of senior living care options ranging from nearly independent living to the most specialized nursing care options.

Caledonian House Memory Care

The MacLean House

In 2016, The MacLean House opened just steps away from the Scottish Home on the forested North Riverside campus. Designed with intention to look and feel like a comfortable, Prairie-style home, the MacLean House extends genuine hospitality and family-style living to those seeking a memory care-based, assisted living option. At the MacLean House, we strive to ensure that everyone who calls it home can lead a purposeful life where they are loved and valued.

Take a look at some great historical photos of some of the first residents at The Scottish Home, and local Scottish groups.

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