Hutchinson Street Historic District Walking Tour

This tour will explore Hutchinson Street, a beautiful residential street located in Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood. The 700 and 800 blocks were designated as the Hutchinson Street District by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks in 1977. A showcase for residential architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the street is well known for several homes designed by George W. Maher, spanning two decades of his career. The tour will begin at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church at 4220 N. Sheridan Road, completed in 1917 from designs by architect Henry J. Schlacks, who designed the imposing building using several fourth- and fifth-century Roman churches he visited as inspiration. The richly decorated sanctuary features work by Arthur Hercz, John Mallin, and Joseph Malham, and stained-glass windows by F. X. Zettler. The tour will continue on Buena Avenue and Hazel Street, and will include a brief stop inside the former mansion now occupied by the publisher, Haymarket Books, before arriving at Hutchinson Street itself. After a discussion of the early development of the area and its annexation to Chicago in 1889, we will study a variety of significant houses. George Maher’s commissions range from the 1894 Queen Anne style of the John C. Scales house, to his design for the Claude Seymour house of 1913, showcasing classic Prairie Style characteristics. Houses by other architects including Jenney & Mundie, George S. Kingsley, Huehl & Schmid, and Richard Schmidt will provide a comparison to Maher’s works. Advance reservation required. Limited to 20 participants. $50 per person / $40 for members Purchase Tickets All ticket sales are final, no refunds or exchanges.