At a Glance: Why did Obama create Pullman as a National Monument, and not a National Park? -The Antiquities Act of 1906 at the President’s disposal to create National Monuments -Pullman represents a unique and culturally significant architectural installation in American History -Illinois, his home state, currently has no national monuments OR national parks -Monument…
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LOST MANSIONS OF THE GOLD COAST, PART 5: THE DeKOVEN BOWEN HOUSE & THE ROBERT TODD LINCOLN HOUSE
JOSEPH T. & LOUISE DeKOVEN BOWEN HOUSE Joseph Tilton Bowen was a local manufacturer and banker. It’s his activist wife, Louise DeKoven Bowen, however who is the interesting partner in this coupling. Mrs. Bowen’s history in Chicago goes back to the beginning of the city. Her mother was born within the palisades of Fort Dearborn. …
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LOST MANSIONS OF THE GOLD COAST, PART 4: THE EDWARD AYER HOUSE & THE FRANKLIN MacVEAGH HOUSE
EDWARD AYER HOUSE Edward Ayer was another one of several lumberman who built in the Gold Coast. In his case he made a great deal of money selling railroad ties and other materials to the ever expanding RR industry. He had significant land holdings in Arizona and Mexico, and was an amateur anthropologist with a…
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LOST MANSIONS OF THE GOLD COAST, PART 3: THE ROCKEFELLER McCORMICK RESIDENCE & THE BORDEN RESIDENCE
EDITH ROCKEFELLER McCORMICK HOUSE Although it was commonly referred to as the Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick residence, this house located at 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive was built in 1883 for Nathaniel Jones, a prosperous member of the Board of Trade. He was described as “one of the wealthiest and most successful businessmen in Chicago.” …
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Lost Mansions of the Gold Coast, Part 2: the Palmer Castle & the First Charnley House
MR. and MRS. POTTER PALMER Potter and Bertha Palmer could be considered the archetypal Chicago power couple. Potter was a successful businessman in commerce and real estate. Bertha was an accomplished musician and writer, adept at politics, and a skilled administrator. She was the president of the Board of Lady Managers of the 1892 World’s…
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Lost Mansions of the Gold Coast
When Potter Palmer decided in 1882 to build his new home on North Lake Shore Drive he indelibly altered the course of real estate development among the wealthy and prominent citizens of Chicago. What started as sandy marshland on the lakefront soon became the most desirable and expensive property in the city. However its success…
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