Trip 114: South Shore Sunday

Date: July 31, 2011

Trip: 114

Landmarks Visited: 4

Landmarks To-Date: 320

Landmarks Remaining: 33

On another hot summer Sunday morning, Shawn and I drove to the Bronzeville and South Shore neighborhoods to see a few landmarks.

1. Eliel House

This house was designed by Louis Sullivan. Some of the original facade has been covered with siding, so you can't really see the architectural details any longer.



2. Kenna Apartments

The most striking features of this building are the relief sculptures that flank either side of the main entrance. It's surprising that a builder was willing to make this kind of investment in a relatively small development.

3. South Shore Cultural Center

This building is now part of the Chicago Park District, but I love the story behind it. It was originally a private and exclusive country club. The members of the club were unwilling to expand their definition of membership as the demographics of the neighborhood changed. Eventually, they had close the club.

The buildings were in disrepair and were set to be torn down when the people in the neighborhood got together to save the clubhouse. So the very people that were denied membership to the club eventually saved it.

The interior of the building has some beautiful party rooms, and the building itself faces directly on the lake with a small beach area.

4. Miller House

This is a large and beautiful Prairie Style house that was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.