Architectural Enthusiast: Living among the ghosts of Politicians in Hyde Park

Italian renaissance inspired water fountain in my sunroom

Right, so let's start with the good news. Last Friday, I was so excited to learn more information and history on my new building and area (Hyde Park, Chicago, IL) that I did the unusual--I actually went to the Harold Washington Library to do a little old school research. You know, the type that actually has you reading books, old newspapers and speaking to the Librarian -- something the Generation Y & Z have no knowledge of. The bad news is, I lost my iPad which was subsequently stolen. Don't worry, I have soaked up my sorrows with food (see Tuesday's post); retraced my steps; kicked myself whenever possible; then finally decided to write it off as a generous donation to the less fortunate. I hope the thieve is putting it or the money he/she sold it for to good use.  Well, now that you know, I hope you recognize how valuable this information now is.

So what did I find out you ask? 

Well from the outside, this building (5120 S Hyde Park Blvd.) can look either a little run down (to the naked eye) or mysterious and unique to those with a sense for history and architecture (Like Me). Notice the detailing. 

With that said, I found this building was once the home of Judges, Democrats, business owners and politicians running for office--such as William Shervin. It was filled with single men (obviously since women didn't really live alone in those days) which explains the very masculine interior in the halls. Unfortunately, it was not listed so I could not find the original build date or architect, but what I did find out was that it was probably built somewhere around mid-late 1800's as a lake front property. The house attached next door to the right (no photo shown) was built in 1839. And around the early-mid 1900's it was called Chicago Beach Guest House and part of the Residential Hotel Group (see the right side of the below article) and an attraction for weddings and Newlywed housing.

Advert for Residential hotel (on right) and Petti Floats for $2.98 -- Wow!

The unfortunate part, I could not find any listings of African-American occupants and the Defender had no record of the building in any of its archived publications. So I can only assume it was a 'Whites Only' building. Quite different today, my predecessors would be proud to know.

Hyde Park (once just 300 acres), was purchased by a lonely attorney, Paul Cornell in 1853, which he began as a very dignified Lakefront suburb in South Chicago. He wanted to emulate the communities of London's prestigious Hyde Park, along with that of New York State. 

Italianate style was very popular in Hyde Park homes at this time, explaining the look of the inside details and outside structure of my building. The early 1900's saw the founding of the University of Chicago (1891), built by several architects over a span of 50 years in a Gothic Revival style.

University of Chicago: Photo source - University of Chicago

Years went by and Hyde Park went from beach front resort to neglect and derelict in the mid 1900's. But thanks to the efforts of the University of Chicago to keep this area as beautiful and upstanding as it's former history, Hyde Park went through the nation's largest urban renewal project in 1955. Hyde Park is now home to over 30,000 people of differing nationalities, races, colors, creeds and social status. There are 472, out of 1700 total, significant structures in the area.

I plan to do a pictorial walking tour soon, so stay tune for more on my Hyde Park journey. 

Hope you enjoyed.

(Source: City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development, 1996 and Chicago Tribune, 1849-1988)