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

Hitchcock House

Architect unknown; 1871

— Chicago Landmark —

Hitchcock House Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 30, 2025

1. Hitchcock House Marker

The 1871 Hitchcock House was named a Chicago Landmark in 1992, and sometime soon thereafter this marker was added in the grass parkway in front of the home. It is not known when this marker was removed; the holes for the plaque's bolts can be seen in the concrete. The inscription text for this listing was determined based on text from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks website.
Click for more information.

Inscription. When this house was built, Austin was an independent suburb, accessed from Chicago by commuter railroad. One of the oldest houses in the community, it was built for Charles Hitchcock, an executive of a railroad parts manufacturing company. Its tall windows, low hipped roof, and expansive porch reflect the then-popular Italianate style, which was inspired by the architecture of Italian country villas.

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Chicago's Surviving Pre-Fire Structures, and the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 41° 53.469′ N, 87° 46.085′ W. Marker was in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It was in Austin. It was at the intersection of West Ohio Street and North Waller Avenue, on the left when traveling east on West Ohio Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

postal address: 5704 West Ohio Street, Chicago IL 60644, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Marie Schock House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); F.R. Schock Houses (about 700 feet away); Shrine of Our Lady of Fréchou (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Austin Neighborhood Renaissance (approx. 0.3 miles away); Reverend Jesse Taylor (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. James Apartments (approx. 0.4 miles away); Third Unitarian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); 209 N. Humphrey Ave. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The concrete housing for a Chicago Landmark historical marker is in the grassy parkway in front of the home, but

Hitchcock House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 30, 2025

2. Hitchcock House Marker

the plaque itself is no longer there. Using Google Maps Street View photos of the area, it was hard to determine when the plaque went missing. The inscription has been obtained from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks' official website.

Regarding Hitchcock House. The Hitchcock House, a rare structure predating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, is believed to be one of the 10 oldest homes within Chicago's city limits, and the second oldest in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's west side, about 8 miles due west of the Loop. The home was erected by Charles Hitchcock, a railroad executive, in an area that in the 1870s was part of Cicero Township and was annexed into Chicago in 1899. It could not be determined for certain, but it appears that this Charles Hitchcock is a different person from the Charles Hitchcock who is the namesake of Hitchcock Hall on the campus of the University of Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Austin Weekly News: Second oldest home in Austin has a new owner.

Excerpt: "High ceilings, ornate woodwork, pocket doors and stained glass speak to a time when one-of-a-kind craftsmanship was the norm in home design.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 30, 2025

3. Hitchcock House (5704 W. Ohio St.)
Visitors step up to a wrap-around porch with floor-to-ceiling windows fronting the exterior. Double doors lead to the entry where a soaring, curved staircase leads to the second floor. An original light fixture of a man holding a shield and sword anchors the newel post of the staircase."

(Submitted on April 30, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Zillow: 5704 W. Ohio St. This Zillow listing includes photos of the house, which was last sold in 2015. (Submitted on May 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.