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

Villa District

Chicago Landmark

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 9, 2026

1. Villa District Marker

Inscription. Attracted by landscaped parkways and a requirement that all houses be in the bungalow mode, buyers in this development built residences, largely between 1907 and 1922, that show the influence of the Prairie and Craftsman styles and also the popularity of the foursquare house. The Villa Improvement League has worked to preserve and enhance this enclave since the first houses were constructed.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on November 23, 1983 by the City Council of Chicago.
Harold Washington, Mayor

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 41° 56.841′ N, 87° 43.426′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Irving Park. It is on North Avers Avenue 0.1 miles north of West Addison Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60618, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charles N. Loucks House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Florsheim Shoe Company Building (approx. 0.6 miles

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away); Carl Schurz High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Stephen A. Race House (approx. 0.7 miles away); John and Clara Merchant House (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Stanislaus Kostka Auditorium Crowned Eagle (approx. one mile away); St. Hyacinth Parish World War I Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. The Villa. The official site of the Villa Improvement League.

Excerpt: "A century-old neighborhood on Chicago's Northwest Side, the Villa is characterized by parkway streets, stone planters and distinctive examples of early 20th Century residential architecture."

(Submitted on March 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Villa District. From the Chicago Historical Society.

Excerpt: "Albert Haentze and Charles M. Wheeler purchased the land in 1907, when restrictive covenants were already in place determining lot lines and spacing. The bungalows were designed in the 'Chicago' and 'California' styles
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 9, 2026

2. Villa District Marker
with numerous variations. The simple American Foursquare was a boxlike structure with a broad front porch inspired by Prairie school architecture. Other styles included elements of colonial or Tudor design."

(Submitted on March 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 9, 2026

3. Villa District Marker

Villa District entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 11, 2026

4. Villa District entrance

Street corners in the Villa District are marked by stone planters with the word "VILLA" on the front.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.