South Shore in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jackson Park Highlands
Landmark District
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026
1. Jackson Park Highlands Marker
Owing greatly to its early designation as one of the three residential demonstration areas in the City of Chicago, the Jackson Park Highlands is a prime example of early 20th Century residential architecture. In 1988, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks formally recognized the Jackson Park Highlands' importance by designating it a Chicago Landmark District.
The Highlands area boasts some of the most innovative urban planning concepts of the pre-World War II era. Each home is constructed of brick or stone on an expansive lot. Original roofs were slate or tile. Electric utilities are underground and there are no alleys. Notable architects and architectural firms whose work is represented in the Highlands include Holabird & Roche, Chatten & Hammond, George and Philip Maher and Paul Schweikher.
Today, nestled against the picturesque beauty of Jackson Park, the Highlands is home to many of Chicago's most talented professionals and civic leaders, and
this page online
Placed here and dedicated in May 2003 by the Jackson Park Highlands Association
Special thanks to State Senator Barack Obama, Alderwoman Leslie Hairston, SBC Corporation, the City of Chicago, and the Illinois Capital Development Board.
Erected 2003 by Jackson Park Highlands Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #44 Barack Obama series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.
Location. 41° 46.399′ N, 87° 34.806′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in South Shore. It is on East 67th Street near South Constance Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6701 South Constance Avenue, Chicago IL 60649, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026
2. Jackson Park Highlands Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Jackson Park Highlands (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Jackson Park Highlands (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson Park Highlands (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson Park Highlands (about 600 feet away); Jackson Park Improvements (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Jackson Park Improvements (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Jackson Park Improvements (approx. 0.6 miles away); Allan Miller House (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. At least one more identical sign can be found at a different
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026
3. Jackson Park Highlands Marker at Constance and 67th
Regarding Jackson Park Highlands. This little enclave immediately south of Jackson Park was developed beginning in 1905 on what was considered prime real estate overlooking the park that had been, only a decade earlier, the site of the Columbian World's Exposition. It is named for some relative high ground that overlooked a lagoon.
Future President Barack Obama is thanked at the bottom of this marker, which was erected while he was representing Jackson Park Highlands as the state senator for Illinois' 13th District. He resigned in the middle of his third term after he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. The Obama Presidential Center opened in 2026 in Jackson Park, about a mile north of this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Jackson Park Highlands. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks report about the district, published prior to its designation as a Chicago Landmark in 1988.
Excerpt: "From its inception to the present, its character as an enclave of gracious, commodious houses on ample, carefully landscaped lots has remained unchanged. The majority of the houses, built between 1905 and 1940, reflect the rich and diverse forms and fashions of American residential architecture for twentieth-century single-family homes before World War II."(Submitted on October 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Jackson Park Highlands history. From the neighborhood's official site.
Excerpt: "More significant growth came during the building boom of the 1920s, when the Highlands was one of three model communities planned within Chicago. A minimum lot width of fifty feet was required, and houses had to be set back thirty feet from the front property line. Houses had to be faced with brick or stone and roofs covered with tile or slate. Alleys were eliminated, and all utilities were placed underground. Most of its earliest residents migrated from the then-elegant Washington Park neighborhood. From its inception to the present, its character as an enclave of gracious, commodious houses on ample, carefully landscaped lots has remained unchanged. The majority of the houses, built between 1905 and 1940, reflect the rich and diverse forms and fashions of American residential architecture for twentieth century single-family homes before World War II."(Submitted on October 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
