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

Glory Days 1872-1904

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Glory Days 1872-1904 Marker

Inscription. Chicago's three wealthiest men-Marshall Field, Philip Armour and George Pullman all resided on Prairie Avenue by the mid-1870s, firmly establishing it as Chicago's premier residential district. Leading architects were hired to design fashionable residences suitable for the lavish dinner parties and receptions which were the mainstay of Chicago society in the late 19th century.

1872 Clarke house moved to 4526 S. Wabash

1874 Second Presbyterian Church completed at 1936 S. Michigan by architect James Renwick

1882 Mrs. H. O. Stone hosts a reception for Oscar Wilde at her residence, 2035 Prairie

1882 John Doane completes his residence at 1827 Prairie; it is the first house in Chicago to be illuminated with electric lights

1884 Laborers stage Thanksgiving Day protest down Prairie Avenue

1886 Marshall Field hosts a "Mikado Ball" a lavish party reported to have cost $75,000

1893 World's Columbian Exposition opens largely through the efforts of Prairie Avenue residents

1893 Journalist Everett Chamberlin identifies 77 millionaires living on Prairie Avenue

1893 George Pullman dedicates the Ft. Dearborn Massacre Monument at Calumet and 18th

1901 Second Presbyterian Church rebuilt following devastating fire under direction of Howard Van Doren Shaw and Frederick Clay Bartlett

1904 The Edward F. Robbins residence at 2126 Prairie becomes the last new house constructed on Prairie Avenue for 95 years

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Labor Unions • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Chicago's Surviving Pre-Fire Structures series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 41° 51.442′ N, 87° 37.251′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in South Loop.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

It is on South Prairie Avenue south of East 18th Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is one of several posted along the Prairie Avenue-side fence of Chicago Women's Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago IL 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: Lost Houses of Prairie Avenue: 1800-1900 Blocks (East Side) (here, next to this marker); Beginnings 1812-1871 (a few steps from this marker); Lost Houses of Prairie Avenue: 1600-1700 Blocks (a few steps from this marker); Lost Houses of Prairie Avenue: 1800-1900 Blocks (West Side) (a few steps from this marker); A Heritage Preserved (a few steps from this marker); Decline 1905-1965

Glory Days 1872-1904 Marker on Prairie Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Glory Days 1872-1904 Marker on Prairie Avenue

(a few steps from this marker); Outside the District (within shouting distance of this marker); John J. and Frances M. Glessner House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

John Doane house at 1827 Prairie Ave. image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-021496), circa 1890

3. John Doane house at 1827 Prairie Ave.

The home was damaged by a fire in January of 1927 and razed in the 1930s. A modern multi-plex occupies part of the spot where the house once stood.

Second Presbyterian Church image. Click for more information.

October 19, 2013

4. Second Presbyterian Church

The church was named a National Historic Landmark in 2013
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on October 21, 2013.