Chicago millionaires row

A drawing of the grand Gilded Age mansions which stretched up and down Prairie Avenue. The Kimball House, which today houses the U. Soccer Federation. The Clarke House is the oldest building constructed in the city of Chicago. Photo via Wikimedia. The eye-popping Main Hall of the Glessner House. Photo by by James Caulfield; courtesy of Glessner House. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on pinterest Pinterest. Share on linkedin LinkedIn.

Explore Tours. Our Events. Sign up. Related Posts. Book a Tour. Latest from the Blog. Subscribe for secrets of Chicago! Pearson St. In , Ferdinand Peck built an imposing granite mansion on South Michigan Avenue when the street was at its peak and represented the abode of millionaires. Peck was the son of a pioneer Chicago settler and himself a lawyer. His house was designed by none other than the father of the skyscraper, William LeBaron Jenney, shortly after the completion of the Auditorium.

The interior was furnished quickly with the help of family friend Marshall Field in order to host a dinner party for President Benjamin Harrison. The room mansion also hosted many of those planning the Columbian Exhibition along with President William McKinley and various royal personages.

The building was demolished in The mansion at S. Michigan Avenue was built in the s for Charles W. However, the house achieved its period of greatest interest during the s when a man named Otto Lightner owned it and turned it into the "House of a Thousand Curios. The collection included the paneled doors from the Pullman Mansion, a "gold" rub from the Edith Rockefeller McCormick mansion, mahogany paneling from the Farwell mansion along with many other unique artifacts.

Lightner attempted to donate the collection to Chicago it was famed for its extensive holdings of salt and pepper shakers but that fell through and he moved it to St. Augustine Florida where it remains today. The building was demolished shortly after Lightner departed in the late s. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Chicago Share this story. Map View. The lost mansion of industrialist George Pullman. Wikimedia Commons. View as Map. George Pullman House.

Detroit Publishing Co. Potter Palmer Castle. Marshall Field House. Edith Rockefeller McCormick Residence. Cyrus McCormick Mansion.

William Borden Residence. John Cudahy Mansion. A large building with turrets. Joseph T. Ryerson Residence. John Borden Mansion. Community-contributed content represents the views of the user, not those of Chicago Public Library. Footer Menu. I Speak Contact Us Chicago Public Library. Ask a Librarian.

Reciprocal Library Verification City of Chicago. Powered by BiblioCommons. September 18, "Black Thursday. Mids Standard Oil expands into the overseas markets of Western Europe and Asia, selling more oil abroad than in the U.

The article's critical view of Standard Oil strikes a chord with readers. Lloyd's book-length study of Standard Oil, "Wealth against Commonwealth," appears in Rockefeller creates a highly centralized structure with enormous power but murky legal existence. Standard Oil builds up its distribution system, streamlining the delivery and sale of oil and underselling its adversaries.

The address will become synonymous with Rockefeller's business empire. Rockefeller, Jr. Both parties condemn it. Rockefeller is called to the witness stand, and gives evasive testimony.

Her estranged husband does not attend the ceremony. Rockefeller asks the minister to say that she was a widow. Rockefeller agrees to contribute to the founding of a new Baptist college in Chicago.

The University of Chicago will become his first major philanthropic undertaking. Andrew Carnegie publishes "The Gospel of Wealth," arguing that the wealthy have a moral obligation to serve as stewards for society. Mids Coinciding with a stressful period, John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Lates Standard Oil attains its peak influence. Its dividends surge to 31 percent and its control of the market is uncontested.

The law remains in effect today. Gates helps make Rockefeller's philanthropy more efficient. Bank closings and massive unemployment heighten social tension. He keeps the modest house that came with the property. The estate will eventually expand to 3, acres. Rockefeller decides to retire from Standard Oil, gradually and secretly, in a move designed to keep the press and the public in the dark.

Just as electricity is starting to replace kerosene as an illuminant, gasoline enters the scene, creating a rising demand for oil. John D. During the first few years, his role there will be marginal and ill defined. The candidates' opposing views about trusts polarize public opinion on the issue. Steel, the first billion-dollar corporation and a landmark in business consolidation. Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research is created.

The institute, called Rockefeller University today, will become a leader in the new field of experimental medicine.