West Town in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Elizabeth Peabody Public School Building

W. August Fielder, architect; 1894

— Chicago Landmark —

Elizabeth Peabody Public School Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 8, 2024

1. Elizabeth Peabody Public School Building Marker

Inscription. This building is a handsomely-designed school building, exemplifying the importance of public education in the history of Chicago. It has stately terra-cotta ornament, including a foliate-detailed panel bearing the school's name. Peabody was built in response to the rapid growth of the West Town neighborhood in the late nineteenth century, when thousands of immigrant families, mostly Polish and German, settled in the area. The building served Chicago school children for roughly 120 years.

Designated on December 14, 2016
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 41° 53.994′ N, 87° 39.863′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in West Town. It is on Augusta Boulevard 0.1 miles east of Ashland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is to the left of the entrance into the Peabody School Apartments. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1444 West Augusta Boulevard, Chicago IL 60642, 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

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Northwestern University Settlement House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Milly’s Pizza in the Pan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bell from the First Holy Trinity Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polish National Alliance Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Home & Bank Trust Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); The 1992 River West Gas Fires (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Lothrop Motley Public School (approx. 0.3 miles away); East Village (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker misspells the last name of architect W. August Fiedler, inverting the d and l.

While the building was designated a landmark in 2016, based on Google Street View this marker was added to the building in either 2020 or 2021.

Regarding Elizabeth Peabody Public School Building. Peabody School was one of 50 schools closed by Chicago Public Schools in 2013. In 2022, the building reopened as an apartment building with 23 one- and two-bedroom units, with rents starting at $3,000, according to an article by Block Club Chicago.

The school is named after Elizabeth Peabody, an educator who opened the first English-language kindergarten in the United States.

Also see . . .

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 8, 2024

2. Elizabeth Peabody Public School Building Marker

1. Closed Peabody Elementary School In Noble Square Converted Into Luxury Apartments. A 2022 article from Block Club Chicago about the school's conversion into apartments.

Excerpt: "Like the other schools the firm has converted to apartments, Svigos sought landmark protections for Peabody through the city and federal government, allowing the developers to claim certain tax credits. The school was designated a Chicago landmark in 2016.

"That’s meant the school’s windows, moldings, cabinets and other features have been saved and refurbished, Vittore said. Many units in the building also retain original chalkboards from the classrooms, Vittore said."

(Submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Peabody School Apartments.

Excerpt: "Chicago Public School - The Elizabeth Peabody School - originally constructed in 1884 by famed architect Auguste Fiedler and now adaptively repurposed City of Chicago Historic Landmark featuring 23 exquisitely appointed luxury apartments in the exciting Wicker Park / Noble Square Neighborhood. The building features onsite garage parking, elevator, rooftop deck with unobstructed skyline views, storage units, Tide dry-cleaning onsite lockers, fitness center, package area, key fob access, bicycle
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 8, 2024

3. Peabody School
storage, mobile phone buzzer system, and closed circuit security cameras."

(Submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. William August Fiedler. From Chicago's Driehaus Museum, a biography of W. August Fiedler, who designed the Peabody School.

Excerpt: "In 1893, Fiedler was named the first Chief Architect for the Chicago Board of Education. He supervised the construction of fifty-eight schools and designed many including Burley, Goethe, Eugene Field and Pullman."

(Submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

August Fiedler (1842-1903) image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-037815)

4. August Fiedler (1842-1903)

August Fiedler served as Chicago Public Schools’ first chief architect and designed Peabody School.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on July 7, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.