In the 1890s, Chicago saw a surge in architectural innovation and growth, especially after the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Many historic houses from that era still stand today, showcasing various architectural styles popular during that time, including Victorian, Queen Anne, and Romanesque Revival. Here are a few notable examples:
- Glessner House: Designed by renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson, this Romanesque Revival mansion was completed in 1887. Located in the Prairie Avenue Historic District, it’s now a museum open to the public.
- Charnley-Persky House: Designed by Louis Sullivan and his draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright, this house was completed in 1892. It’s considered a pivotal work in the development of modern architecture and is also open for tours.
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio: Although not in the 1890s, Wright’s own home and studio in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, exemplifies his early work. He designed and built the home in 1889 and continuously modified it over the years.
- John J. Glessner House: Another masterpiece by Henry Hobson Richardson, this house was completed in 1887. It’s noted for its innovative design and is open for tours.
- Clarke House Museum: Built in 1836, this Greek Revival-style house is the oldest surviving structure in Chicago. Although it predates the 1890s, it’s worth mentioning as a historic house in the city.
These are just a few examples of the historic houses in Chicago from the late 19th century. Many more can be found throughout the city, each with its own unique architectural and historical significance.
Henry B. Clarke House: Built in 1836, this Greek Revival-style house is another one of Chicago’s oldest surviving structures. It’s now part of the Chicago History Museum and offers a glimpse into Chicago’s early history.
James A. Patten House: Located in the North Kenwood-Oakland Historic District, this Queen Anne-style mansion was built in 1893. It’s known for its intricate detailing and picturesque design.
Hiram Baldwin House: Built in 1890, this Richardsonian Romanesque-style house is located in the Lakeview neighborhood. It’s characterized by its rough-hewn stone exterior and arched windows.
Francis J. Dewes House: Completed in 1896, this Richardsonian Romanesque mansion is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It features a distinctive turret and intricate stone carvings.
Robert Hall McCormick III House: Built in 1893, this Queen Anne-style mansion is located in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. It’s known for its ornate facade and expansive interiors.
John Farson House: Completed in 1891, this Queen Anne-style mansion is located in the Pullman Historic District. It’s known for its asymmetrical design and decorative elements.
These additional examples showcase the diversity of architectural styles and historical significance of Chicago’s historic houses from the 1890s. Each house offers a unique glimpse into the city’s rich architectural heritage.
George F. and Sarah L. Gage House: Built in 1892, this Queen Anne-style house is located in the Kenwood Historic District. It features a turret, bay windows, and elaborate woodwork.
Charles Deering House: Completed in 1895, this Richardsonian Romanesque-style mansion is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood. It was designed by the architectural firm Henry Ives Cobb and features a distinctive red brick facade.
Francis J. Woolley House: Built in 1899, this Queen Anne-style mansion is located in the Wicker Park Historic District. It boasts ornate detailing, including decorative shingles, stained glass windows, and a turret.
Edward C. Waller House: Completed in 1892, this Victorian-style house is located in the Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District. It features a wrap-around porch, intricate woodwork, and stained glass windows.
Henry Gerber House: Built in 1885 and expanded in the 1890s, this Victorian-style house is located in the Lake View East neighborhood. It’s notable for its association with Henry Gerber, who founded the first known gay rights organization in the United States.
These additional examples further highlight the architectural diversity and historical significance of Chicago’s historic houses from the 1890s. Each house offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past and architectural heritage.
Frank R. Lillie House: Constructed in 1893, this Queen Anne-style house is located in the Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District. It’s known for its picturesque design, including a prominent turret and decorative detailing.
Joseph Sears House: Built in 1891, this Queen Anne-style residence is situated in the Kenilworth Historic District, just north of Chicago. It features a steeply pitched roof, an asymmetrical facade, and intricate woodwork.
John Markley House: Completed in 1892, this Richardsonian Romanesque-style mansion is located in the Kenwood Historic District. It showcases the characteristic rough-hewn stone, rounded arches, and elaborately carved details of the style.
Francis J. Dewes House: This stunning Richardsonian Romanesque mansion was completed in 1896 and is situated in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It’s known for its impressive turret, ornate stone carvings, and grand interiors.
George W. Smith House: Built in 1897, this Queen Anne-style residence is located in the Lakeview Historic District. It boasts a distinctive facade with a corner turret, bay windows, and decorative woodwork.
These additional examples contribute to the rich tapestry of historic architecture in Chicago from the 1890s, showcasing a range of styles and influences prevalent during that era. Each house reflects the creativity and craftsmanship of its time, offering a glimpse into Chicago’s architectural heritage.
John H. Foster House: Built in 1893, this Queen Anne-style residence is located in the Old Town Triangle Historic District. It features a steeply pitched roof, intricate woodwork, and a wrap-around porch.
Charles R. Crane House: Completed in 1890, this Romanesque Revival-style mansion is located in the Near North Side neighborhood. It was designed by architect Solon S. Beman and is known for its robust masonry construction and arched entryways.
J. Louis Cochran House: Constructed in 1896, this Queen Anne-style residence is situated in the Edgewater Glen neighborhood. It showcases a variety of design elements typical of the style, including a turret, bay windows, and decorative shingles.
Oscar F. Mayer House: Built in 1893, this Queen Anne-style mansion is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It was the former residence of the founder of the Oscar Mayer Company and features ornate detailing and a prominent corner turret.
William Wallace Kimball House: Completed in 1890, this Victorian-style mansion is situated in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. It was the home of William Wallace Kimball, a prominent businessman and founder of the Kimball Piano and Organ Company.
These additional examples contribute to the architectural diversity and historical significance of Chicago’s historic houses from the 1890s. Each house reflects the tastes and aspirations of its original occupants and provides a window into the city’s past.
Josep Medill Patterson House: Constructed in 1892, this Queen Anne-style mansion is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood. It was the former residence of Joseph Medill Patterson, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, and features intricate woodwork and stained glass windows.
John R. Wilson House: Built in 1896, this Victorian-style residence is situated in the Andersonville neighborhood. It showcases ornate detailing, including a turret, bay windows, and decorative trim.
James H. Howe House: Completed in 1894, this Romanesque Revival-style mansion is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood. It features a distinctive rounded tower, a stone facade, and elaborate carvings.
John Peter Altgeld House: Constructed in 1895, this Queen Anne-style residence is situated in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It was the former home of John Peter Altgeld, the 20th Governor of Illinois, and features a turret, bay windows, and a wrap-around porch.
George M. Pullman House: Built in 1882 and expanded in the 1890s, this Victorian-style mansion is located in the Pullman Historic District. It was the former residence of George Pullman, the inventor of the Pullman sleeping car, and features elegant architectural details.
These additional examples further showcase the architectural richness and historical significance of Chicago’s historic houses from the 1890s. Each house tells a story of the city’s past and contributes to its architectural heritage.
Joseph Theurer House: Completed in 1894, this Queen Anne-style mansion is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It features intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and a prominent corner turret.
Eugene S. Pike House: Built in 1896, this Richardsonian Romanesque-style residence is situated in the Kenwood Historic District. It showcases a distinctive stone facade, arched entryways, and a picturesque tower.
William Wrigley Jr. House: Constructed in 1896, this Victorian-style mansion is located in the Lakeview neighborhood. It was the former residence of William Wrigley Jr., the founder of the Wrigley Company, and features ornate detailing and a wrap-around porch.
Edward C. Hegeler House: Completed in 1891, this Queen Anne-style mansion is situated in the Wicker Park neighborhood. It was the former home of Edward C. Hegeler, a prominent industrialist, and features a turret, bay windows, and decorative woodwork.
James B. Forgan House: Built in 1897, this classical Revival-style mansion is located in the Kenwood Historic District. It was the former residence of James B. Forgan, a banker and philanthropist, and features a grand portico, Corinthian columns, and elaborate detailing.
These additional examples contribute to the rich architectural tapestry of Chicago’s historic houses from the 1890s, showcasing a variety of styles and influences from that era. Each house offers a glimpse into the city’s past and the lives of its prominent residents.