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

Prairie Avenue Historic District

— Chicago Landmark —

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Prairie Avenue Historic District Marker

Inscription. This district contains the oldest remaining structure in the city, the Henry B. Clarke house, and was the city's most fashionable residential street from the 1870s through the early 1890s. The area was also the site of the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on December 27, 1979 by the City of Chicago.
Jane M. Byrne, 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: Notable Buildings • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Chicago's Surviving Pre-Fire Structures, the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 27, 1979.

Location. 41° 51.472′ N, 87° 37.241′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in South Loop. It is at the intersection of South Prairie Avenue and East 18th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Prairie Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago IL

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60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: George Pullman (a few steps from this marker); John J. Glessner House (a few steps from this marker); Visionary (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Fort Dearborn (about 400 feet away); Henry B. Clarke House (about 400 feet away); Wheeler–Kohn House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Second Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); 1936 South Michigan: Second Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker sits in front of 1801 S. Prairie Ave., which is known as the Kimball House, after its original owner, piano manufacturer William Kimball. From 1991 until

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Prairie Avenue Historic District Marker

The marker is in front of 1801 S. Prairie Avenue, known as the William W. Kimball House. It was the headquarters from 1991 until 2023. It was sold in 2023 along with the home next to it (1811 S. Prairie), and the site was under renovations in the summer of 2026.

2023 it served as the offices for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

A separate marker from 1979 about restoration efforts in the district can be found across the street, in front of the Glessner House.

The Clarke House referenced on the plaque is about a block southwest of here, the center of a park called Chicago Women's Park and Gardens. It was originally located at 17th Street and Michigan Avenue, northwest of this spot. It was later moved to the Bronzeville neighborhood, a few miles south. In 1977, the building was moved to its current location by its then-owner, Bishop Louis Henry Ford, a prominent Chicago church leader who had presided over the funeral of Emmett Till, and it became a museum. The building was renamed the Clarke-Ford House in 2022, in honor of Bishop Ford.

Regarding Prairie Avenue Historic District. The Fort Dearborn Massacre, today more commonly called the Battle of Fort Dearborn, occurred in this general area on August 15, 1812. That day, about 90 people, including soldiers and citizens, evacuated Fort Dearborn, which was located about a mile and a half north of here and had been established about 10 years earlier

Prairie Avenue Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

3. Prairie Avenue Historic District

On the right side is the Glessner House, which was completed in 1885 and is both a Chicago Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Further down the street is the Chicago Women's Park and Gardens.

to protect U.S. trading interests in what was then part of the Northwest Territory. While this group of settlers began their southward trek along the lakeshore toward Fort Wayne, Indiana, they were confronted by a group of 500 Native Americans who were allied with the British in the War of 1812. The battle lasted about 15 minutes and left about 60 of the white settlers dead, and most of the others were taken captive. The battle is honored today with a park, located about a block east of here at 18th Street and Calumet Avenue.

Also see . . .
1. Prairie Avenue. A history of the Prairie Avenue district from the Glessner House, a Chicago Landmark across the street from this marker that is now a musuem.

Excerpt: "Prairie Avenue, once known as 'millionaires’ row' declined in the early 1900s as a residential area due to its proximity to the growing downtown and the push of the printing, publishing and automobile industries into the area. The Prairie Avenue Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated a City of Chicago Landmark District in 1979."

(Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Prairie Avenue District (Wikipedia).

1801 S. Prairie image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-038220), circa 1893

4. 1801 S. Prairie

The modern historical marker sits in front of this home, whose first owner was piano manufacturer William Kimball.

(Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. With the sale of 2 Prairie Ave. mansions, a residential revival. An article about the 2023 sale of two historic Prairie Avenue homes, from Chicago Agent Magazine. (Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

4. Chicago magazine: The true story of the deadly encounter at Fort Dearborn. (Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.