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

Alta Vista Terrace

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

1. Alta Vista Terrace Marker

Inscription. Alta Vista Terrace displays a lively variety of architectural styles and detail, yet every townhouse on one side is duplicated with only minor variations at the diagonally opposite end of the block. The distinctly human scale creates a unity and harmony rarely found elsewhere in the city.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on September 15, 1971, by the City Council of Chicago.
Richard J. Daley, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 41° 57.073′ N, 87° 39.387′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lakeview. It is at the intersection of Alta Vista Terrace and Grace Street on Alta Vista Terrace. The marker is on a pedestal on the south end of Alta Vista Terrace. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the

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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 Alta Vista Terrace (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harry Caray (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ryne Sandberg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ron Santo (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Sweet-Swinging" Billy Williams (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ernie Banks, "Mr. Cub" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ferguson Jenkins (approx. 0.2 miles away); Into the Cubs Archives (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. This marker is an extreme rarity among the stately square Chicago Landmark plaques that adorn historic sites around the city, in that it has an exact duplicate, affixed to another pedestal at the northern end of the terrace at Grace Street. The only other site known

Alta Vista Terrace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

2. Alta Vista Terrace

A north view of the street; the marker is off camera to the right.

to have two identical plaques is the Chicago Cultural Center, which has plaques at the north and south entrances.

Regarding Alta Vista Terrace. Alta Vista Terrace was the first historic district to be designated a Chicago Landmark.

Also see . . . Commission on Chicago Landmarks: Alta Vista Terrace. (Submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Alta Vista Terrace (1910) image. Click for full size.

Mr. and Mrs. F.E. McCleary; courtesy of Chicago History Museum, 1910

3. Alta Vista Terrace (1910)

Caption from the Chicago History Museum: "Hand-colored photograph and sketch for Alta Vista Terrace on page 70 of an album that contains colored photographs of streets in Chicago and sketches of street name clues. The album was created by Mr. and Mrs. F. E. McCleary for a contest published in the Chicago Examiner in 1910."

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.