Tinley Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John M. Rauhoff House
7112 173rd Place
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024
1. John M. Rauhoff House Marker
Inscription.
John M. Rauhoff House. 7112 173rd Place. The notable attribute of this home is its stucco-like exterior surface, which is made using a product called Ironite. The house was built by John M. Rauhoff in about 1909. Rauhoff was a prolific inventor, with over 13 patents to his name. It was his patented designs that were used for the manufacture of the Diamond Spiral washing machine which was built in Tinley Park's first factory, located at the south west corner of Ridgeland and Oak Forest Avenues, between 1905 and about 1908. Unquestionably his greatest "invention" was a product which he called Ironite. Beginning in roughly 1906, Mr. Rauhoff began experimenting with methods to waterproof concrete blocks after they had been manufactured. This led to the development of Ironite, an additive for waterproofing concrete before it was formed. It was also formulated to be applied to existing concrete surfaces and in this form was used as fireproofing for wooden floors and structural timbers in factory and warehouse locations. Ironite was produced in Tinley Park into the 1960s. It is said that Ironite was used in the construction of the Hoover Dam.
The notable attribute of this home is its stucco-like exterior surface, which is made using a product called Ironite. The house was built by John M. Rauhoff in about 1909. Rauhoff was a prolific inventor, with over 13 patents to his name. It was his patented designs that were used for the manufacture of the Diamond Spiral washing machine which was built in Tinley Park's first factory, located at the south west corner of Ridgeland and Oak Forest Avenues, between 1905 and about 1908. Unquestionably his greatest "invention" was a product which he called Ironite. Beginning in roughly 1906, Mr. Rauhoff began experimenting with methods to waterproof concrete blocks after they had been manufactured. This led to the development of Ironite, an additive for waterproofing concrete before it was formed. It was also formulated to be applied to existing concrete surfaces and in this form was used as fireproofing for wooden floors and structural timbers in factory and warehouse locations. Ironite was produced in Tinley Park into the 1960s. It is said that Ironite was used in the construction of the Hoover Dam.
Erected by Village of Tinley Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location.
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41° 34.555′ N, 87° 47.476′ W. Marker is in Tinley Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on 173rd Place west of 71st Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7112 173rd Place, Tinley Park IL 60477, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also 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.
Excerpt: "On Sept. 4, 1906, he received a patent for the process, and in 1908 he incorporated the Ironite Co., headquartered in a building adjacent to the Rock Island Railroad tracks between 69th and 70th Avenues. That factory was one of the major industries in Tinley Park at the time."
(Submitted on December 29, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
. Rauhoff is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, about two miles northeast of this home. (Submitted on December 29, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 29, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
