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Excellent! I live in Chicago and have taken this tour several times. Learn something new every time!
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Date of experience: May 2020
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Great outing! Very informative and interesting history of Prairie Ave. Now I am interested in their other tours!
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Date of experience: August 2019
1 Helpful vote
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This small row of elegant homes has been brought back from the dead by loving owners who have renovated the homes of Chicago's 19C barons of industry. It also features one of the most architecturally important homes in America, richardson's Glessner House, which is a bridge from the Victorian era to the modern era of houses, and spectacular in its own right.…
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Date of experience: June 2019
1 Helpful vote
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In the late 1800s, Prairie Avenue was Chicago's most prestigious address, home to some of the city's richest and most famous people, including George Pullman, Philip Armour, Marshall Field, John Glessner, William Wallace Kimball, Gustavus Swift and Potter Palmer. Historically, the north-south thoroughfare on Chicago's South Side extended from 18th Street to 22nd Street. Today, only 11 residences have survived from the district's glory days. Visitors can sign up for a walking tour of the district at the Glessner House Museum or can explore on their own. A two-block section of the street forms the core of the Prairie Street Historic District, which is designated as a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It covers the 1800 and 1900 blocks of South Prairie, the 1800 block of South Indiana and 213 through 217 East Calumet. The district is anchored by two famous buildings: the Clarke House at 1827 South Indiana and the Glessner House at 1800 South Prairie. The Clarke House is the oldest surviving building in the city, dating to 1836, but it was moved to its current address in 1977. The street's heyday was short-lived. Palmer moved to the North Side and friends followed. The first factory arrived in 1915 and many grand homes were turned into rooming houses after World War I. As the neighborhood became more commercial, most of the houses were torn down. Not much remained by the time Prairie Avenue became a Chicago Landmark in 1979. Today, it's a book of old memories of a glorious era in Chicago's history.…
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Date of experience: November 2018
4 Helpful votes
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Beautiful area of the city hidden away from hustle and bustle but one doesn’t have to look too far! Brick low story building that are well kept, fresh flowers adorn patios, balconies and walk ways, lots of dog owners walking their fur babies.
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Date of experience: August 2018
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