The Prairie Avenue District is a historic district in the Near South Side community area of

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. It includes the 1800 and 1900 blocks of South

Prairie Avenue Prairie Avenue is a north–south street on the South Side of Chicago, which historically extended from 16th Street in the Near South Side to the city's southern limits and beyond. The street has a rich history from its origins as a major trail ...

and the 1800 block of South Indiana, and 211-217 East Cullerton. It was the site of the

Battle of Fort Dearborn The Battle of Fort Dearborn (sometimes called the Fort Dearborn Massacre) was an engagement between United States troops and Potawatomi Native Americans that occurred on August 15, 1812, near Fort Dearborn in what is now Chicago, Illinois (at that ...

and became the city's most fashionable residential district after the

Great Chicago Fire The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned in the American city of Chicago during October 8–10, 1871. The fire killed approximately 300 people, destroyed roughly of the city including over 17,000 structures, and left more than 10 ...

. It was designated a

Chicago Landmark Chicago Landmark is a designation by the Mayor and the City Council of Chicago for historic sites in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Listed sites are selected after meeting a combination of criteria, including historical, economic, archite ...

on December 27, 1979. The district was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

on November 15, 1972. The

John J. Glessner House The John J. Glessner House, operated as the Glessner House, is an architecturally important 19th-century residence located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Built during the Gilded Age, it was designed in 1885–1886 by architect He ...

, designed and built by Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885–1886 at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, has been restored as a

historic house museum A historic house museum is a house of historic significance that has been transformed into a museum. Historic furnishings may be displayed in a way that reflects their original placement and usage in a home. Historic house museums are held to a ...

, and is open for public tours. In 2006, the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance, a non-profit organization was formed to provide representation for thousands of South Loop residents, including the Prairie Avenue District, Central Station, Museum Park, Motor Row, and the South Michigan Avenue Corridor, as well as other areas of the Near South Side.

Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance

The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) is a non-profit resident organization in Chicago. The PDNA provides support and benefits to residents, condominium and town home associations, businesses, cultural institutions, and organizations who reside within the area and who agree to and support the purpose of the alliance.

Activities

On September 6, 2008, the organization hosted the 'Festival on Prairie Avenue,' with Mayor

Richard M. Daley Richard Michael Daley (born April 24, 1942) is an American politician who served as the 54th mayor of Chicago, Illinois, from 1989 to 2011. Daley was elected mayor in 1989 and was reelected five times until declining to run for a seventh term ...

in attendance. The festival took visitors back to the time of the 1893

World’s Columbian Exposition The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. The centerpiece of the Fair, hel ...

in recognition of the street's restoration to its 1890s appearance; and was attended by over 1,200 residents.

Achievements

The PDNA and its residents banded together to successfully save the Vietnam Veterans Art Museum building at 1801 S. Indiana Avenue, a cultural pillar of the neighborhood, from being sold privately and converted into a night club. Instead, the building was purchased by the city of Chicago and conveyed to the

Chicago Park District The Chicago Park District is one of the oldest and the largest park districts in the United States. As of 2016, there are over 600 parks included in the Chicago Park District as well as 27 beaches, several boat harbors, two botanic conservatories ...

to become a new community center. The PDNA presented recommendations to the Commission on Chicago Parks and the alderman to name an important new park which is located near 18th and Calumet Avenue, the site which marks the 1812

Fort Dearborn Massacre The Battle of Fort Dearborn (sometimes called the Fort Dearborn Massacre) was an engagement between United States troops and Potawatomi Native Americans that occurred on August 15, 1812, near Fort Dearborn in what is now Chicago, Illinois (at that ...

. On August 15, 2009 (the anniversary of the battle), the PDNA joined with the community to commemorate and officially name the site the ''Battle of Fort Dearborn Park''; and unveiled an historic marker outlining the site's significance. The PDNA aims to bring much needed infrastructure and retail to the area.

Landmarks

Built in 1836 and untouched by the great Chicago fire of 1871, the Clarke House is Chicago’s oldest house and is a classic example of the Greek revival style. Moved twice, and opened as a house museum in 1982, it features 19th century furnishings depicting life on the urban frontier. The John J. Glessner House was designed in 1885 by architect

Henry Hobson Richardson Henry Hobson Richardson, FAIA (September 29, 1838 – April 27, 1886) was an American architect, best known for his work in a style that became known as Richardsonian Romanesque. Along with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, Richardson is one ...

and completed in late 1887. Both properties were designated Chicago landmarks on October 14, 1970. The Clarke and Glessner houses are key PDNA partners. With such rapid growth in the South Loop, residents who live within the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance boundaries have become increasingly concerned about the quality of new development and the quality of work performed on properties being converted to residential use. Condo boards and residents have begun to band together to make their voices heard. A few have achieved high-profile status. Additionally, the PDNA and area residents work with the city government to actively review proposed development projects in an effort to encourage smart growth. This is to protect the architectural character of the historic Prairie Avenue district."Pie in the sky"
Chicago Journal, January 21, 2007.

Notes

External links

Official City of Chicago Near South Side Community Map

Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance

Glessner House Museum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prairie Avenue District, Chicago Historic districts in Chicago Central Chicago National Register of Historic Places in Chicago Neighborhoods in Chicago Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois Chicago Landmarks Organizations based in Chicago