The 7 Most Historic Places in Chicago

4 Chicago-area sites added to National Register of Historic Places

• The Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium District, a 160-acre site at North Central Park Avenue and West Peterson Avenue. The land, in the North Park community, includes a sanitarium to treat tuberculosis patients. It opened in 1915 and operated into the 1970s. The sanitarium, the agency said in a news release, is “significant for its Prairie School style architecture with Italian Renaissance Revival elements.”

• First Congregational Church, 766 Graceland Ave. in Des Plaines. The church, built in 1929, is noted for its “Arts and Crafts architecture with Art Deco influences,” according to the natural resources department. The interior includes artwork by prominent artist Edgar Miller, added in 1947.

• The Leaning Tower of Niles, 6300 W. Touhy Ave., a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. The Niles tower, completed in 1934, is in a 22-acre park built by Robert Ilg, owner of Chicago’s Ilg Hot Air Electric Ventilating Company. Ilg built the part as a recreation area for his employees. The tower stored water for two swimming pools on the property.

• The Forum, at 318-324 E. 43rd St. in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side. Built in 1897, it hosted political and social events, and is an “admirable” representation of a 19th century meeting hall, the agency said. Efforts are underway to restore the building. View Original Site

Overview

The unique feel and vibe in a city are determined by a variety of things, one of them being the local historic sites. Chicago is one of those cities whose historic sites have contributed to the aura that surrounds it. Local Chicago, IL business is at an extreme growth rate at this point and the history of the city has a large influence on its popularity. Some of the Historic Local Places in Chicago are:

The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

In 1989, Jane Addams established a house in one of Chicago Illinois’ immigrant neighborhood after she was driven by a quest for social reforms and belief in equal opportunities for all members in the community. The building is now owned by the surrounding university which has restored the structure houses as a museum that honors her and her work. (1)

Hull House was a settlement house in the United States that was co-founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. Located on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois, Hull House opened to recently arrived European immigrants. By 1911, Hull House had grown to 13 buildings. In 1912 the Hull House complex was completed with the addition of a summer camp, the Bowen Country Club. With its innovative social, educational, and artistic programs, Hull House became the standard bearer for the movement that had grown, by 1920, to almost 500 settlement houses nationally.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Frank Lloyd was an architect and began building this home in 1989. He continued developing the house with new styles making unique additions to suite his personal needs. Tourists visit there to see his studio, chain hung balcony and a playroom which was designed for children. His signature, style and taste are evident in the home. (2)

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is a historic house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It has been restored by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust to its appearance in 1909, the last year Frank Lloyd Wright lived there with his family. Frank Lloyd Wright purchased the property and built the home in 1889 with a $5,000 loan from his employer Louis Sullivan. He was 22 at the time, and recently married to Catherine Tobin. The Wrights raised six children in the home. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and declared a National Historic Landmark four years later.

Glessner House

This house was built in 1987 by the architect who inspired Frank Lloyd whose name was Henry Hobson Richardson Glessner. The house has been restored and preserved with outstanding 19th and 20th century furniture and decorative art. (3)

The John J. Glessner House, operated as the Glessner House, is an architecturally important 19th-century residence located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. It was designed in 1885–1886 by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in late 1887. The property was designated a Chicago Landmark on October 14, 1970. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 1970, and as a National Historic Landmark on January 7, 1976.

Graceland Cemetery

It is n 1860 graveyard with lots of experiences. Legends like a 6 year old Inez Clark are believed to have disappeared during storms and the nights believed to be risky with howls from green-eyed ghoul. Maps and guides are offered to the visitors to enable them identify famous gravesites which include the father of skyscrapers and modern masters. It is one of the best places to visit In Chicago. (4)

Graceland Cemetery is a large historic rural cemetery located in the north side community area of Uptown, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Established in 1860, its main entrance is at the intersection of Clark Street and Irving Park Road. The Sheridan stop on the Red Line is the nearest CTA “L” station. Among the cemetery’s 121 acres are the burial sites of several well-known Chicagoans.

The Wrigley Field

It was opened in 1914 and promotes a good old day’s ambience by its looks. It has a strong appeal to Chicago club fans that many who visit there must include a day at, “the old ball game.” Tours are offered at specific times. (5)

Wrigley Field is a baseball park located on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city’s two Major League Baseball franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman’s Chicago Whales of the Federal League, which folded after the 1915 baseball season. The Cubs played their first home game at the park on April 20, 1916, defeating the Cincinnati Reds with a score of 7–6 in 11 innings. Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. of the Wrigley Company acquired complete control of the Cubs in 1921. It was named Cubs Park from 1920 to 1926, before being renamed Wrigley Field in 1927

Pullman Historic District

It is a 19th century town originally featuring residences, school, hotel, bank, church and indoor plumbing etc. as conceived off by George M Pullman as a model neighborhood. After surviving the threats of redevelopment, it now offers guided tours through the remaining public structures. (6)

Pullman National Monument, also known as The Pullman District and Pullman Historic District, is located in Chicago and was the first model, planned industrial community in the United States. The district had its origins in the manufacturing plans and organization of the Pullman Company, and became one of the most famous company towns in the United States, as well as the scene of the violent 1894 Pullman strike. It was built for George Pullman as a place to produce the famous Pullman sleeping cars.

Chicago Water Tower

It is a landmark structure built in 1869 which survived the fire of 1871. It looks like a palace and features several smaller towers other than its center piece. It was chosen by American Water Works Association as the first American Water landmark in the US. (7)

The Chicago Water Tower is the city’s most familiar and treasured landmark. Constructed between 1867 and 1869, it was created for Chicago’s municipal water system, and originally housed a 135 foot iron standpipe used to regulate water pressure.