Old Irving Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John and Phebe Gray
Photographed by Tom Gull, August 23, 2026
1. John and Phebe Gray Marker
John Gray was noted for his anti-slavery views. In 1860 as Sheriff of Cook County, he received thanks from three men arrested in Ottawa, Illinois for their anti-slavery actions, then brought to Chicago to await trial. The New York Times stated: "They have been very kindly cared for by the Sheriff." The three men wrote in part: "We wish to bear testimony of the capacious souls of our custodians, the Sheriff, John Gray and the Jailor, John Hastings" [signed] James Stout, John Hossack, Joseph Stout.
Rumors of a connection to the Underground Railroad at this location persist but are difficult to confirm.
Local lore tells of neighbors in the area climbing the three story tower of this house in 1871 to watch the Great Chicago Fire in the distance.
The Grays ceded the land on which the nearby railroad operates, and in 1874 subdivided a portion of their landholdings
this page online
Erected 2026 by Kris and David Cloud.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Chicago's Surviving Pre-Fire Structures, and the The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 41° 57′ N, 87° 44.273′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Old Irving Park. It is on West Grace Street east of North Kostner Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4362 West Grace Street, Chicago IL, 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
Photographed by Tom Gull, August 23, 2026
2. John and Phebe Gray House
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John and Phebe Gray House (here, next to this marker); John and Clara Merchant House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carl Schurz High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stephen A. Race House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Charles N. Loucks House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Villa District (approx. Ύ mile away); Florsheim Shoe Company Building (approx. one mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. The marker was erected in August 2026 by the home's current owners as a supplement to the Chicago Landmark marker that was added to the site at the same time. This marker uses the same style of square plaque and the same font as its Chicago Landmark counterpart.
Regarding John and Phebe Gray. John Gray was the first Republican sheriff of Cook County, and he built this Italianate-style farmhousea rare Chicago structure that pre-dates the Fire of 1871with
Courtesy of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks
3. John Gray
Gray died in 1889.
Also see . . .
1. Old Irving Park residents obtain landmark status for their home, where two plaques tell its history.
Excerpt: "The Clouds started the landmarking process in 2022, leading to City Council granting the status in 2024. In remarks at the gathering, David Cloud credited William Tyre and Keith Bringe with helping guide the couple through the process. Tyre, who grew up in Old Irving Park and wrote about the Gray House for the local historical society as a teen in the 1980s, is executive director and curator at Glessner House, 1800 S. Prairie Ave. Bringe, gallery director at Rare Nest, 3433 N. Kedvale Ave., previously served as executive director of Frank Lloyd Wrights Unity Temple Restoration Foundation."(Submitted on August 25, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Was This Irving Park Home Part Of The Underground Railroad? Archaeologists Aim To Find Out. (Submitted on August 25, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Old Irving Park neighborhood history. From the Old Irving Park Association.
Excerpt: "Grayland, which was opened for settlement in 1874, extended west from Kostner to Cicero, between Irving Park and Addison. Subdivided by John Gray, the first Republican Sheriff of Cook County, on a portion of his extensive farm, it grew around the Grayland station of the Milwaukee Road Railroad, which is still in active use today. Grays first home built in 1856 at 4362 W. Grace survives today in a remarkable state of preservation and is the oldest house in Irving Park. Gray later built a house on the northwest corner of Milwaukee and Lowell to reflect his newfound wealth, and it was a community showplace. Indoor plumbing with gold fixtures, exotic woods and expensive marbles highlighted his home. It was razed about 1915."(Submitted on August 25, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 25, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
