A Brief History of Prairie Avenue

A Brief History of Prairie Avenue. . During the last three decades of the 19th century, a six-block stretch of Prairie Avenue between Sixteenth Street and Cermak Road reigned as Chicago's premier residential street, and it remains one of Chicago's most historic neighborhoods. , , Beginnings , The Fort Dearborn massacre occurred on August 15, 1812 near the present intersection of Prairie Avenue and 18th Street. Hostile Indians ambushed ninety-five settlers and soldiers, and over fifty were killed. A large cottonwood tree at the site survived into the 1890s. In 1836, Henry B. Clarke built his Greek Revival house near what is now 1625 S. Michigan. It stands today as Chicago's oldest surviving house at 1827 S. Indiana. The first house on Prairie Avenue was completed in 1853 for John Staples at 1702 S. Prairie. , , Glory Days , By the mid-1870s, three of Chicago's wealthiest citizens, Marshall Field, Philip Armour, and George Pullman had all taken up residence on Prairie Avenue, establishing it as Chicago's street par excellence. Notable architects including Richard Morris Hunt, Henry Hobson Richardson, Burnham and Root, Cobb and Frost, and Solon S. Beman were engaged to design elegant residences in the latest styles. A series of plaques along Prairie Avenue gives a brief history of some of these residences. , , Decline , The noise and pollution from adjacent transportation routes, the aging of the residents and residences. and the lure of new residential areas including the "Gold Coast" and the North Shore, combined to initiate a slow and steady decline as the 20th century began. Residences were converted to business offices, institutions and rooming houses. Numerous large commercial buildings were constructed in the area, primarily for the publishing and automobile industry. By 1923, the entire area was zoned for commercial use. Eventually more than 90% of the residences were razed. , , Rebirth , The creation of the Chicago School of Architecture Foundation to save the Glessner House from demolition in 1966 led to a renewed appreciation of the area. By the early 1970s, the city announced plans to create an historic district including the Henry B. Clarke house, which was moved back to the area in 1977. During the mid-1990s, the Chicago Women's Park and Gardens were dedicated, and the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum opened at Indiana and 18th. Residential redevelopment began in 1993 with the first loft conversion and entered a new phase with the first new residential construction in 1999.