Wheeler Kohn Mansion

Tucked away on Calumet Avenue in the Historic Prairie Avenue District is the Wheeler-Kohn Mansion. I stumbled across this hideaway while speed walking one morning. Passing the Army National Guard Chicago armory and some newly built townhouses, the mansion suddenly appeared, existing since 1870, so out of place in the 21st century. I stopped dead. I couldn't believe the house was still there. It was truly breathtaking! Designated a Chicago Landmark on February 5, 1998 the Wheeler-Kohn Mansion is now a bed and breakfast owned by Historic Real Estate. Boasting over 10,000 square feet of usable space, the old house has quite a history dating back to before the Great Chicago Fire. It once was occupied by a publishing company and a distribution warehouse before it was purchased by its current owner in 1997. Calvin T. Wheeler, former banker and President of the Chicago Board of Trade, recruited Otis Wheelock to design the Second Empire style home in the mid-1880's. This is truly a treasure sitting in the midst of Chicago, the architectural giant of the world. Anyone visiting Chicago should take time to visit or spend a night at the mansion at 2018 S. Calument Avenue.

Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

Located in Lake Michigan, the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse beckons visitors to the city with its newly installed solar panels which power it. Constructed in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition, the lighthouse now stands at the end of the northern breakwater, to the east of Navy Pier and the mouth of the Chicago River, marking the harbor's entrance. It was designated a Chicago Landmark on April 9, 2003. Consisting of a concrete base, two red roofed buildings with a tapered cylinder in between and topped by a parapet and light, it is a perfect example of Chicago's welcoming environment as its light reaches across the shores to neighboring Michigan. Its architect is unknown.

Prairie Avenue Bookshop

I had a chance to visit the Prairie Avenue Bookshop located at 418 South Wabash in the heart of downtown Chicago. It has quite an interesting history stemming back to 1961. Marilyn and Wilbert Hasbrouck founded a quarterly journal, the Prairie School Press. In 1964, they established the Prairie School Review which was devoted to scholarly treatment of American's only indigenous modern architecture. Out of these two publications, the Prairie Avenue Bookshop opened in the Keith House at 1900 Prairie Avenue (pictured above) in 1974. In 1978 the bookstore out grew its lodgings and it moved to South Dearborn street Printer's Row where it too grew in such volume that in 1995 it relocated to its current venue that has six times more space than South Dearborn Street.

Indiana Flats Building

People familiar with the Cermak Road and Indiana Avenue area may remember the three-story building called Indiana Flats. Built in 1895 and once home to Frank Lowden (governor) and his then-fiancee Frances Pullman (daughter of railroad magnate George M. Pullman) this dwelling succumbed to the city's redevelopment and was razed. Preservation Chicago envisioned the rehabilitated building as a historical entry way for tourists and guests traveling to McCormick Place Convention Center and an example of 19th Century architecture. What's worse to see, a big crane demolishing the building from one end to the other, or a group of salvaging scrappers pulling pieces of copper, cornices, and ornaments from its exterior, eradicating the 109 year old property's historical value. The picture below is what the property looks like now. Either way, another piece of Chicago's history is lost. Immediately west on the same city block is the former site of the Lexington Hotel, once home to Al Capone. It's amazing how large Chicago is but yet so much history can be found on any street corner.

2016 Olympics

As Chicago prepares in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics I am struck by the similarity in which this planning committee found and is preparing a site on which to hold the event. The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, was located in Jackson Park on the Midway Plaisance. People familiar with Chicago will know that this is where the Museum of Science and Industry now resides. This building and one other are the only two of over 200 buildings that survived the wrecking ball from that 1893 event. The proposed site of the 2016 Olympics is Washington Park. The fact that Chicago has so much free and open land from which to choose a venue to host world-wide events, is one of the things that makes the city so amazing.

Michigan Avenue Streetwall

Who doesn't know about Michigan Avenue and its famous "mag mile." Besides the wonderful shopping experience found here, Michigan Avenue's historical value is unprecedented because it contains 12 blocks of historical buildings dating back to the 1880's. Dubbed Michigan Avenue "streetwall" the National Trust for Historic Preservation has added this area to the 2008's 11 Most Endangered list. Find out how you can help to save this historic area by clicking on "streetwall" above.