| Von KleinSmid Mansion | |
| Coordinates: | 41.6469°N -88.6203°W |
| Built: | 1865 |
| Architecture: | Italian villa |
| Added: | May 9, 1985 |
| Refnum: | 85000979 |
The von KleinSmid Mansion was built for the von KleinSmid family of the DeKalb County city of Sandwich, Illinois, in the mid-nineteenth century. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The building is located on Sandwich's West Center Street, and is under private ownership.[1]
It was the childhood home of Rufus B. von KleinSmid, former President and Chancellor of the University of Southern California (1921-1947, 1947-1964).[2] He became known for his work in international relations and encouragement of foreign students at USC, as well as accomplishing a major capital building program. In the early 20th century, while studying criminal psychology, he became a passionate supporter of eugenics.[3]