Dorothy Louise Gage

Dorothy Louise Gage was born to Sophie Jewell and Thomas C. Gage, and five months later her death devastated the family. Shortly afterward, Thomas and Sophie left Bloomington for Aberdeen, S.D. Dorothy's uncle, L. Frank Baum, named the main character Dorothy in his book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to give small comfort to his wife Maude. In 2017, a tree associated with her had to be removed, and Bill Baker of Top Notch Chainsaw Carving carved Dorothy, Toto, and the Yellow Brick Road from it. In June 2018, the stump was carved into a tribute to Little Dorothy and to how she forever affected children's literature.

Bloomington, Illinois · United States