List of Registered Historic Places in Chicago
Encyclopedia
This is a compilation of properties in Chicago, Illinois, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are 326 places listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places
in Chicago, Illinois, including 77 historic district
s that include numerous historic buildings, structures, objects and sites. Included also is a short list of formerly listed properties in the city.
The first sites in Chicago to be listed were four listed on October 15, 1966, when the National Register was created by the National Park Service
: the historic settlement house Hull House
, the Frank Lloyd Wright
-designed Frederick C. Robie House, the Lorado Taft Midway Studios
, and the site of First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction. The NPS first incorporated previously named National Historic Landmarks, including these four. In total, thirty-three of these sites are further designated National Historic Landmark
s of the United States and there are three National Historic Landmark Districts, indicated by the two darker colors in the table below.
The most recently listed property is the West Side's Creamery Package Manufacturing Company Building, designated November 8, 2011. There are numerous early skyscraper
buildings designed by Louis Sullivan
, and at least three sites relate to the city's role in nation-wide retailing. Included also are numerous religious buildings, 14 hotels, and six theaters. Fully 55 are located in the downtown Loop
area, including the Loop Retail Historic District
itself.
Despite Chicago's historic and continuing role as a major port city, only two listed properties are ships: the , and a U.S. aircraft rescue vehicle, AVR 661
. Two National Historic Landmark ships were formerly located in the city, but have been relocated out of state.
To be listed on the National Register, sites must retain their historic integrity, they usually must be 50 years old at least, and their listing must be promoted – or at least not opposed – by the current owner. As a result of these criteria, many historically important sites in the city are not listed. Approximately 108 are also among the 292 City of Chicago-designated landmarks, which include numerous more structures that do not meet National Register criteria for historic integrity or for other reasons have not been listed.
For the purposes of this article the listings are divided into four subsidiary articles.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in Chicago, Illinois, including 77 historic district
Historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
s that include numerous historic buildings, structures, objects and sites. Included also is a short list of formerly listed properties in the city.
The first sites in Chicago to be listed were four listed on October 15, 1966, when the National Register was created by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
: the historic settlement house Hull House
Hull House
Hull House is a settlement house in the United States that was co-founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. Located in the Near West Side of , Hull House opened its doors to the recently arrived European immigrants. By 1911, Hull House had grown to 13 buildings. In 1912 the Hull...
, the Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
-designed Frederick C. Robie House, the Lorado Taft Midway Studios
Lorado Taft Midway Studios
The Lorado Taft Midway Studios consist of a converted and relocated barn that became the art studio of one of the early 20th century's most important sculptors, Lorado Taft. It is located in the Woodlawn community area of Chicago, Illinois and is now owned by the University of Chicago. It was...
, and the site of First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction. The NPS first incorporated previously named National Historic Landmarks, including these four. In total, thirty-three of these sites are further designated National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
s of the United States and there are three National Historic Landmark Districts, indicated by the two darker colors in the table below.
The most recently listed property is the West Side's Creamery Package Manufacturing Company Building, designated November 8, 2011. There are numerous early skyscraper
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
buildings designed by Louis Sullivan
Louis Sullivan
Louis Henri Sullivan was an American architect, and has been called the "father of skyscrapers" and "father of modernism" He is considered by many as the creator of the modern skyscraper, was an influential architect and critic of the Chicago School, was a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and an...
, and at least three sites relate to the city's role in nation-wide retailing. Included also are numerous religious buildings, 14 hotels, and six theaters. Fully 55 are located in the downtown Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
area, including the Loop Retail Historic District
Loop Retail Historic District
Loop Retail Historic District is a shopping district within the Chicago Loop community area in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is bounded by Lake Street to the north, Congress Parkway to the south, State Street to the west and Wabash Avenue to the east...
itself.
Despite Chicago's historic and continuing role as a major port city, only two listed properties are ships: the , and a U.S. aircraft rescue vehicle, AVR 661
AVR 661
AVR 661 is an R-1 type United States Air Force "crash boat", a boat used in air-sea rescues. It is 85 feet long and has two Packard Marine 4M-2500 engines of 1500 horse power. It has a top speed of 35 knots. The boat was armed with a twin .50 caliber machine gun, a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun and two...
. Two National Historic Landmark ships were formerly located in the city, but have been relocated out of state.
To be listed on the National Register, sites must retain their historic integrity, they usually must be 50 years old at least, and their listing must be promoted – or at least not opposed – by the current owner. As a result of these criteria, many historically important sites in the city are not listed. Approximately 108 are also among the 292 City of Chicago-designated landmarks, which include numerous more structures that do not meet National Register criteria for historic integrity or for other reasons have not been listed.
For the purposes of this article the listings are divided into four subsidiary articles.
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Central ChicagoNational Register of Historic Places listings in Central ChicagoCurrently there are 114 National Register of Historic Places listings in Central Chicago, out of 326 listings in the City of Chicago. Central Chicago includes 3 of the 77 well-defined community areas of Chicago: the historic business and cultural center of Chicago, the Loop, as well as the Near...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in North Side ChicagoNational Register of Historic Places listings in North Side ChicagoThere are 81 sites in the National Register of Historic Places listings in North Side Chicago, out of 326 listings in the City of Chicago. The North Side is defined for this article as the area west of Lake Michigan, north of North Avenue and east of the Chicago River plus the area north of...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in South Side ChicagoNational Register of Historic Places listings in South Side ChicagoThere are 78 sites on the National Register of Historic Places listings in South Side Chicago, out of 326 listings in the City of Chicago. The South Side is defined for this article as the area west of Lake Michigan and south of 26th Street and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to the southern...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in West Side ChicagoNational Register of Historic Places listings in West Side ChicagoThere are 54 sites in the National Register of Historic Places listings in West Side Chicago, out of 326 listings in the City of Chicago. The West Side is defined for this article as the area north of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, south of Fullerton Avenue, west of the Chicago River and east...
See also
- List of Chicago Landmarks
- List of Registered Historic Places in Illinois
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Illinois