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

Original Site of The Children's Memorial Hospital

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

1. Original Site of The Children's Memorial Hospital Marker

Inscription. This site was the home of The Maurice Porter Memorial Hospital, an eight-bed cottage opened in May 1882 dedicated to the care of sick children. The hospital was founded by Julia Foster Porter, a young Chicago widow, to honor the memory of her 13-year old son Maurice, who died tragically of acute rheumatism the previous year. It was the first hospital in Chicago dedicated exclusively to the care and treatment of children age 3 to 13. In 1904, the hospital was renamed The Children's Memorial Hospital. Over the years, the hospital continued to grow in size and capacity in Lincoln Park. The main hospital facility was moved to Lincoln Avenue, and in 1995, this building was constructed to house Children's administrative offices. In 2012, the hospital was renamed Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and relocated to Streeterville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1882.

Location. 41° 55.409′ N, 87° 38.912′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It is at the intersection of Halsted Street and Belden Avenue on Halsted Street. The marker is on DePaul University's College of Education building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2247 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60614, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kaufmann Store and Flats (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); McCormick Row House District (about 600 feet away); Robert Berkhoff (about 600 feet away); Little Fort Road (about 600 feet away); Richard Fassl (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fremont Row Houses (approx. 0.2 miles away); Melamerson Athletic Field (approx. ¼ mile away); Bissell Street (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Original Site of The Children's Memorial Hospital. The original hospital, in a cottage at this site, moved up the street two years later to a larger building. Later it moved to the Lincoln Avenue complex referenced on this plaque. In 2016, that site, including a 1914 building as well as a 1960s-era addition, was torn down and replaced by a modern building. The building at this site, built in 1995, houses DePaul University's College of Education.

Also see . . .
1. Children's Memorial Buildings. A 2011 report from Preservation Chicago looks at the history of the children's hospital buildings. The old complex ultimately was not spared demolition; the buildings were torn down in 2016 and replaced by a modern development. (Submitted on November 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. CBS-2 Chicago: Doctor Publishes Book Detailing History Of Children's Memorial Hospital. (Submitted on November 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Maurice Porter (Find a Grave)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

2. Original Site of The Children's Memorial Hospital Marker

. Maurice Porter, the original namesake of what would later become Children’s Memorial Hospital, died in 1881 and is buried at Chicago’s Rosehill Cemetery. (Submitted on August 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

3. Original Site of The Children's Memorial Hospital Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,544 times since then and 204 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.