Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mills Park and Pleasant Home
Photographed by Sean Flynn
1. Mills Park and Pleasant Home Marker
You are standing at the north entrance to Mills Park. Just ahead is Pleasant Home, a National Historic Landmark that was originally constructed for the John Farson family in 1897. The Farsons regularly gathered family and friends in the mansion and on the grounds and kept detailed scrapbooks of newspaper accounts of the lavish parties hosted here, which survive today.
In 1889, architect George W. Maher wrote of his desire to create a "new American architecture, and designed Pleasant Home with this in mind. "The lines are classic, the surfaces broad, and the ornamentation centralized." he said of Pleasant Home. "The style betokens comfort and home in every line. Today, Pleasant Home is recognized as a stunning example of Prairie School Architecture.
Look around and you may notice native prairie grasses, purple coneflowers, and flowering trees encircling an open field. This natural area was designed to provide a breath of fresh air in such a dense urban neighborhood, using plants and flowers that are indigenous to the area. Pictured above are purple coneflowers.
Welcome to Mills Park and Pleasant Home
This
this page online
Erected by Park District of Oak Park and Pleasant Home Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 41° 53.136′ N, 87° 48.065′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Pleasant Street 0.1 miles west of Home Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is near the north entrance to Mills Park off of Pleasant Street, near Pleasant Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 21, 2023
2. Mills Park and Pleasant Home Marker at Pleasant Street park entrance
Mills Park tower is in the background.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Solar System (about 400 feet away); Volcanoes (about 400 feet away); Cambrian Sea (about 400 feet away); Ancient Illinois Climate (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.
Additional keywords. pleasant home mills park oak park
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
