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Chicago Commons Settlement - Grand and Morgan
Posted by:
captain54
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: November 17, 2010 04:53AM
I've driven by this building many, many times and have never gotten a chance to really see it up close until I was in the area the other day. Its the site of the old Chicago Commons settlement, the forerunner to the Hull House, It was a settlement for immigrants, mostly. It housed a gym, library, auditorium and had one of the first kindergardens ever in the US. It seems to be in remarkable shape for a building that will turn 100 next year. Although this building survived the Kennedy, it fell into disuse in the late 40's early 50's, when the neighborhood went through its metamorphosis. this is a google map street view <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5183481763/" title="Chicago Commons - present by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/5183481763_fb2ae03b01_b.jpg" width="781" height="658" alt="Chicago Commons - present" /></a>
this is a closer up view from 11/16/10. In this view, I spared you a huge blotch of graffitti that some moron implanted on the north face of the building. I was wondering how many buildings like this did not survive demolition from the Kennedy construction. you can partially see the "for sale" sign at the entrance
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5183480001/" title="Chicago Commons - present - close up by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5183480001_6f3ed3c758_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Chicago Commons - present - close up" /></a>
Here is a view from 1905, building only 4 years old. Note the unpaved streets and another part of the building to the east of the current structure that obviously is no longer
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5184080502/" title="Chicago Commons- 1905 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/5184080502_a01ca2a0a8.jpg" width="432" height="325" alt="Chicago Commons- 1905" /></a>
A Flag Pole dedication ceremony in 1924 at the entrance. Note the impressive structure across the street (school?) (NW corner of Grand and Morgan) that did not survive the Kennedy demolition
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5183484539/" title="Chicago Commons 1924 - 955 W Grand -Chicago by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/5183484539_c4090b536f_z.jpg" width="502" height="371" alt="Chicago Commons 1924 - 955 W Grand -Chicago" /></a>
this is a closer up view from 11/16/10. In this view, I spared you a huge blotch of graffitti that some moron implanted on the north face of the building. I was wondering how many buildings like this did not survive demolition from the Kennedy construction. you can partially see the "for sale" sign at the entrance
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5183480001/" title="Chicago Commons - present - close up by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5183480001_6f3ed3c758_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Chicago Commons - present - close up" /></a>
Here is a view from 1905, building only 4 years old. Note the unpaved streets and another part of the building to the east of the current structure that obviously is no longer
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5184080502/" title="Chicago Commons- 1905 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/5184080502_a01ca2a0a8.jpg" width="432" height="325" alt="Chicago Commons- 1905" /></a>
A Flag Pole dedication ceremony in 1924 at the entrance. Note the impressive structure across the street (school?) (NW corner of Grand and Morgan) that did not survive the Kennedy demolition
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5183484539/" title="Chicago Commons 1924 - 955 W Grand -Chicago by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/5183484539_c4090b536f_z.jpg" width="502" height="371" alt="Chicago Commons 1924 - 955 W Grand -Chicago" /></a>
Re: Chicago Commons Settlement - Grand and Morgan
Posted by:
tseals
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: November 19, 2010 02:12AM
Great pics.
Re: Chicago Commons Settlement - Grand and Morgan
Posted by:
222psm
(---.br.br.cox.net)
Date: November 19, 2010 01:29PM
It's a shame that buildings like this go into disuse. But, like you said if the neighborhood changes, a lot of these great buildings go through this. I especially like the 1924 photo, it shows how it looks before the Kennedy. I love seeing photos like this, to be able to see what a place looked like before a major change. I think you're right, the building in the back ground. It looks like a school, if it is I wonder what school was it? I also think of all the wonderful buildings and homes that where lost not only in the construction of the Kennedy, but all the expressways built in Chicago.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2010 01:31PM by 222psm.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2010 01:31PM by 222psm.
Re: Chicago Commons Settlement - Grand and Morgan
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: November 22, 2010 10:06PM
[b]It is interesting to see that house again. Back in the 1980's it was "The Gospel League Home". From 1984 until 1990 I was the Chapel minister and preacher on Sunday mornings. It was a women and childrens home for young women and some with children could stay until they could recieve walfare. I have a lot of memories about the Gospel League Home. Thanks so much for the posting.[/b]
Re: Chicago Commons Settlement - Grand and Morgan
Posted by:
PHILC
(---.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net)
Date: March 05, 2011 02:22PM
I believe the school in the background was Washington School. My grandmother lived near here before 1912 and attended that school.
Re: Chicago Commons Settlement - Grand and Morgan
Posted by:
captain54
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: March 05, 2011 08:09PM
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/5500871776/" title="Chicago Public School Map 1912 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5500871776_bf8ac101d3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="518" alt="Chicago Public School Map 1912" /></a>
