Trip 83: Rainy Saturday Morning Cut Short by Traffic

Date: December 11, 2010
Trip: 83
Landmarks Visited: 2
Landmarks To-Date: 218
Landmarks Remaining: 135

I set out this morning to see six landmarks mostly on West Washington Boulevard. But an unexpected traffic jam caused me to give up after just two. It was kind of an ugly morning with cold rain so I wasn't too disappointed.

1. Lake-Franklin Group.

This is the oldest surviving building in the Loop. It's also a good example of post-fire architecture, including an iron facade and arched windows. It's also difficult to photograph because it's immediately adjacent to the L.

2. Groesbeck House

This house is famous both because it is one of the few buildings to survive the fire, and because Mary Todd Lincoln once lived here. It is still a residential building.

Trip 82: The First Snow Day

Date: December 4, 2010
Trip: 82
Landmarks Visited: 4
Landmarks To-Date: 216
Landmarks Remaining: 137

This Saturday was my first outing on a snowy day. This made me admit that I won't meet my original goal of seeing all of the landmarks before winter. So I will extend my deadline to a full 12 months which gives me through March of 2011 to see the remaining 137. That's still a pretty tough goal given our short winter days.

1. Hull House

The Hull House Museum is now located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago. It was originally founded by Jane Adams as a social service organization focused on immigrants.

2. St. Ignatius College Prep Building

This still functioning high school is also located adjacent to the UIC campus.

3. Jackson Boulevard District and Extension

This district is basically a one block area of original homes on the near west side.

4. First Baptist Congregational Church

This is a very large church built in 1869. It includes a side chapel with its own steeple that is itself as large as some churches.

I'm not sure if this house is part of First Baptist, but it's a beautiful house just behind the church. Maybe it was originally the minister's house.