South Loop in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Henry B. Clarke House
1836
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026
1. Henry B. Clarke House Marker
Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Landmarks • Women. In addition, it is included in the Chicago's Surviving Pre-Fire Structures series list.
Location. 41° 51.43′ N, 87° 37.321′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in South Loop. It can be reached from South Indiana Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1827 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.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Visionary (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago Women's Park and Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); A Brief History of Prairie Avenue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clarke House / Glessner House (about 300 feet away); Lost Houses of Prairie Avenue: 1800-1900 Blocks (West Side) (about 300 feet away); Decline 1905-1965 (about 300 feet away); Lost Houses of Prairie Avenue: 2000-2100 Blocks (about 300 feet away); Lost Houses of Prairie Avenue: 1800-1900 Blocks (East Side) (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. The home today was officially recognized as the Clarke-Ford House in 2022, honoring Bishop Louis Ford, a prominent Chicago church leader who lived in the home at its second location in the Bronzeville neighborhood. In 1977, the home was moved to this location, where it became a museum.
Regarding Henry B. Clarke House. The Clarke-Ford House is almost certainly the oldest surviving structure to have been originally built within
October 19, 2013
2. Henry B. Clarke House
Marker is located in the lower right of this photo.
Also see . . .
1. Chicago Architecture Center: Clarke House.
Excerpt: "Arguably Chicagos oldest house, the Clarke-Ford House has survived two moves, a fire and decades of unrelenting growth to become an educational monument to the citys earliest years."(Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Bishop Fords former mansion traveled by flatbed on King Drive 45 years ago. The Chicago Crusader tells the forgotten story of how the Chicago's oldest building returned to its original neighborhood in 1977, thanks to Bishop Louis Ford, a prominent Chicago church leader. (Submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 5, 2012
3. Henry B. Clarke House
3. Clarke-Ford House. From the City of Chicago website.
Excerpt: "Built in 1836, the Clarke-Ford House is Chicagos oldest house. It was renamed in 2022 as a result of a community effort led by Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford and Saint Paul Church of God in Christ in partnership with former Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). The renaming affirmed the profound role of Bishop Louis Henry and Margaret Ford in preserving the house as a significant part of Chicagos history and recognized the lasting contributions of Caroline Palmer Clarke."(Submitted on August 19, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 5, 2012
4. Play House
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 5, 2012
5. Clarke House
“The Henry B. Clarke family built their house in the Greek Revival style in 1836 near what is now 1625 S. Michigan Avenue. In 1872 the house was sold and moved to 4526 S.Wabash.lt was relocated to its present site In 1977 and restored by the city of Chicago. Today it is known as the oldest house in Chicago.
The Clarkes purchased 20 acres of land on the shore of Lake Michigan in June 1835. Mr. Clarke was a part owner in the hardware firm of Jones, King and Company served as a director of the Illinois State Bank, and augmented his income by hunting and selling game.
Henry Clarke died in the cholera epidemic of 1849. His widow, Caroline Palmer, subdivided the property in the early I 850s, and made substantial improvements to the house. It was sold to John Chrimes in 1872, and to the St. Paul Church of God in Christ in 1941. In 1977, it was acquired by the city of Chicago.
The Clarke House was restored and opened to the public In 1982, and is furnished In the period of 1836-1860 by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Illinois. It is designated a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” -- sign at Prairie Avenue Museums.
The Clarkes purchased 20 acres of land on the shore of Lake Michigan in June 1835. Mr. Clarke was a part owner in the hardware firm of Jones, King and Company served as a director of the Illinois State Bank, and augmented his income by hunting and selling game.
Henry Clarke died in the cholera epidemic of 1849. His widow, Caroline Palmer, subdivided the property in the early I 850s, and made substantial improvements to the house. It was sold to John Chrimes in 1872, and to the St. Paul Church of God in Christ in 1941. In 1977, it was acquired by the city of Chicago.
The Clarke House was restored and opened to the public In 1982, and is furnished In the period of 1836-1860 by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Illinois. It is designated a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” -- sign at Prairie Avenue Museums.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 5, 2012
6. The Cupola
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026
7. Clarke-Ford House, 2026 view
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2013. This page has been viewed 1,964 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on October 21, 2013. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 25, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on December 4, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on August 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.
