Frances Willard was chosen as the new president of the College , and fundraising for the new College began , with the most prominent costs being those associated with the construction of the new building . A large celebration was held on July 4 , 1871 , titled a " Ladies ’ Fourth of July , " in order to fundraise a portion of these costs . The day included baseball games , comedy , a parade , and laying the cornerstone of the new edifice . Despite the success of this event , and other efforts to secure funding for the new college , the Chicago Fire of 1871 caused significant financial suffering for many of the donors and new sources of funding had to be sought out . This time , the call was answered by Stephen Lunt , who donated $ 50,000 , from the proceeds of the sale of land in Rogers Park , towards the construction of the new building
Chicago Fire of 1871
Great Chicago Fire
Evanston College for Ladies