Old Irving Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Stephen A. Race House

Circa 1874

— Chicago Landmark —

Stephen A. Race House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 1, 2024

1. Stephen A. Race House Marker

Inscription. Built for the brother of Charles T. Race, the founder of Irving Park, this is the only remaining structure associated with this important family in the community. This intact brick Italianate house, representative of the early residential development of the area, was originally sited on a spacious lot fronting on Irving Park Road, which was once an Indian trail. The house was moved to its present location in 1924.

Designated on September 22, 1988
Eugene Sawyer, Mayor

Erected 1988 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 41° 57.19′ N, 87° 44.029′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Old Irving Park. It can be reached from North Tripp Avenue south of Irving Park Road (Illinois Route 19), on the left when traveling south. The marker is embedded in concrete

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on the ground in front of the Race House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3945 North Tripp Avenue, Chicago IL 60641, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Charles N. Loucks House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John and Clara Merchant House (approx. ¼ mile away); Carl Schurz High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Villa District (approx. 0.7 miles away); Florsheim Shoe Company Building (approx. one mile away); Henry V. Peters House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Portage Park (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Stephen A. Race House. In the late 1860s

Stephen A. Race House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 1, 2024

2. Stephen A. Race House

A portion of the marker can be seen in the grass on the left side of the photo.

New York businessman Charles Race acquired land in this area, which included two old Indian trails (now Irving Park Road and Milwaukee Avenue), and he established a train depot on the Chicago and Northwestern line not far from this home near Keeler and Irving Park. Originally called Irvington, in honor of the author Washington Irving, it soon became Irving Park and was subdivided into lots that proved attractive thanks to its simple train commuting into the Loop. Irving Park was incorporated into Chicago in 1889. The Race House was one of many that was erected by the neighborhood's founders along Irving Park Road, but only this one survives, as the others were demolished as the road became a major commercial thoroughfare.

The oldest house in Irving Park, the circa-1856 John Gray House on Grace Street, is about four blocks southwest of here and was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2024.

Also see . . .
1. History of Irving Park. From the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce

Excerpt: "The original developers all built substantial mansions along Irving Park Boulevard between 1870 and 1874. All have since been razed, with the exception
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 1, 2024

3. Stephen A. Race House
of the Stephen A. Race mansion, which was moved at the turn of the century, and now stands at 3945 North Tripp. Another early home, built for Erastus Brown, father of John and Adelbert, also remains at 3812 North Pulaski, although greatly altered. The Chicago fire of 1871, which was watched from the cupolas of several area homes, brought an influx of new residents who built many unique, but slightly less pretentious homes."

(Submitted on September 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Irving Park. From the Chicago Historical Society

Excerpt: "Building fine houses was the concept that businessman Charles T. Race decided upon after purchasing acreage in 1869 from Major Noble, whose father had bought the land in 1833. Race had intended to become a gentleman farmer, but his land was so close to the Chicago & North Western railroad, he realized there would be more profit in beginning a settlement. After Race paid for a depot, the train line agreed to stop at the settlement, which was first called Irvington as a tribute to author Washington Irving, but was soon renamed Irving Park."

(Submitted on September 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.