The Henry Esdohr House

The Henry Esdohr House. . This house originally served as the home of Henry Esdohr and his family. Located initially at what is now Long Avenue and Higgins Avenue (5425 Higgins), it was purchased by park officials and moved to this location on May 2, 1921. , , After the move, the house served as the Jefferson Park Field House. Subsequently, the house became a common venue for meetings and events hosted by various neighborhood organizations, including the Infant Welfare Society, the Golden Rule Club, the Altrui Club, and the Boy Scouts. It continued to operate as the Field House until the current structure (Higgins and Long) replaced it in 1930. After 1930, the Chicago Public Library utilized the house as a local branch, serving as the Jefferson Park Library After the branch library outgrew this location, the house reverted back to the Park District and has had other uses throughout the years. , , Henry Esdohr (1852-1914) was born near Hanover, Germany. As a young teenager, he traveled to America in 1866 with his younger brother, Herman. The two of them found work on a farm located where O'Hare Airport stands today. 1870, Henry arrived in Jefferson, which was then the small town located ten miles northwest of Chicago. Henry purchased the 5425 Higgins property in 1874 for $550.00. , , Most of Jefferson area residents obtained their water at an artesian well located on the property. This well was 2,200 feet deep with a flow rate of 200 gallons per minute. The well was in operation until 1895. , , Henry was a leader in the community, holding positions such as Postmaster, Treasurer of the School Board for the township high school, and the Knight Templar for the Masons. Additionally, he was a business man, selling agricultural equipment and establishing the first retail liquor store. In 1881, he was elected City Clerk of the Town of Jefferson. Henry Esdohr is buried in the Acacia Park Mausoleum with his wife and children.