Author | Lightnews

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

dmercer.bsky.social @dmercer.bsky.social · 3d

"The Sunday Tribune" ghost sign on 2603 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Both buildings are ca. 1895.

Faded ghost sign on the brick side wall of a three-story building. The sign says "The Sunday Tribune." The building is faced with cream-colored brick and has a two-story bay window with cornice, brackets, and gingerbread decoration. The building next to it on the right is also 3-story, faced with tan brick. It has a white cornice with brackets, decorated with a garland motif.

2 39

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Chicago Tudor Revival AF @tudoraf.bsky.social · 3d

I biked around Budlong Woods and Albany Park, stopping almost constantly to admire.

Color photo of a wide sidewalk leading to steps up to a sprawling classic Chicago Park District fieldhouse. Trees overhanging walk have leaves in autumnal shades of yellow and orange, many of which have fallen onto the ground.

Color photo of the top floor, cornice and parapet of a red brick building. Under the cornice, a repeating pattern: a Z in gray brick, then a square panel featuring an unadorned circle, then a backward Z (or stylized S) again in gray brick.

Color photo of a castle-looking 2-flat in red brick, with prominent polygonal bay, recessed entrance on left. Four buttresses around bay lead to tall columns (twisty but frankly could be twistier) on second floor. Little mansard roof between merlons on parapet. Basement window has its own arch.

Color photo of a glorious Neoclassical mixed-use corner building clad in cream terra cotta. Window spandrels and lunettes feature green terra cotta in elaborate patterns. Curved section at the corner. Balustrade runs along the top of the whole. Newer sign at corner business reads CHICA'S.

3 14 170

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 3d

Peoples Gas Light & Coke Building detail

The landmark report quotes some early 20th century Chicagoan who saw Notre Dame de Paris & reportedly said "this is well & good, but give me Peoples Gas any day." Because, yes, Chicagoans are & have always been Like That.

Architect: DH Burnham & Co, 1911

Color close up of ornamentation atop the Peoples Gas Light and Coke Building, taken from across the street on the 22nd floor outdoor terrace of the Cliff Dwellers Club. Under a line of acanthus leaf finials is centered the head of lion caught mid-yawn and set into an elaborate scroll 'n' swag cartouche. The cartouche is just part of a larger frieze of more crisscrossing swags and other Beaux Art BS.

3 7 52

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 3d

Historic Portage Theater Has A New Owner Who Plans To Revive It As A Community Space
Chris Bauman, founder of the Avondale Music Hall and partial owner of the Patio Theater, bought the theater and wants to create a “community center”... blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/24/h...

Historic Portage Theater Has A New Owner Who Plans To Revive It As A Community Space

Chris Bauman, founder of the Avondale Music Hall and partial owner of the Patio Theater, bought the theater and wants to create a "community center" that hosts concerts, film screenings, indoor market...

blockclubchicago.org

1

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 4d

Will The Congress Theater Finally Be Revived? City Seeks $25 Million Loan To Make It Happen
The loan could get the project off the ground after years of delays, but the application has yet to be submitted due to the government shutdown.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/31/w...

Will The Congress Theater Finally Be Revived? City Seeks $25 Million Loan To Make It Happen

The loan could get the project off the ground after years of delays, but the application has yet to be submitted due to the government shutdown.

blockclubchicago.org

1

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 6d

Will The Congress Theater Finally Be Revived? City Seeks $25 Million Loan To Make It Happen

The loan could get the project off the ground after years of delays, but the application has been delayed due to the government shutdown.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/31/w...

Will The Congress Theater Finally Be Revived? City Seeks $25 Million Loan To Make It Happen

The loan could get the project off the ground after years of delays, but the application has yet to be submitted due to the government shutdown.

blockclubchicago.org

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 7d

New 'Chicago Homes' Book Details History Of Living In Chicago, From Bungalows To Greystones

Authors and researchers Carla Bruni and Phil Thompson left no greystone — or terracotta — unturned in their 352-page book detailing and illustrating Chicago homes...

blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/27/n...

New 'Chicago Homes' Book Details History Of Living In Chicago, From Bungalows To Greystones

Authors and researchers Carla Bruni and Phil Thompson left no greystone — or terracotta — unturned in their 352-page book detailing and illustrating Chicago homes in the order they cropped up througho...

blockclubchicago.org

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 12d

Another Chicago Legacy Business to Close!

Frank and Mary’s Tavern closes after more than half a century chicagoreader.com/food/monday-...

Frank and Mary’s Tavern closes after 54 years

Frank and Mary’s Tavern closes after 54 years for renovations under new owners, and Monday Night Foodball moves to Thattu.

chicagoreader.com

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 13d

"The film, “The Legacy of Julius Rosenwald” has been nominated for a 2025 Mid-America Emmy award!

"The film, highlighting the life and works of Julius Rosenwald was directed by Storyteller Studios with the Lincoln Presidential Foundation and Looking for Lincoln

youtu.be/rJtK7mgTD-U?...

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 14d

1/2 I had no idea this thing existed until Lee introduced us to it last month. Went to see it for myself AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

Just a couple more details for the nerds.

Architect: Paul Gerhardt Sr, 1920

Color close-up of the polychrome terra cotta vertical striping ornamenting the building's cavetto cornice. Directly underneath and edging down the side of the building is ornamental banding featuring stylized lotus buds alternating with blooms, all in brilliant color.

Color close-up of the top of one of the fluted columns that brackets the storefront. The polychrome terra cotta capital is decorated with highly detailed lotus leaves in what can only be described as an explosion of colors, and is itself shaped like a lotus flower. The column is also horizontally banded with alternating magenta and yellow strips of terra cotta from which flow narrow vertical strips in a cream-green-magenta-green-cream vertical pattern.

Color photo of the polychrome terra cotta base of a column, ornamented by stylized lotus leaves in several different colors. Lotus blossoms peak out from behind the top of each leaf, also detailed in stunning color.

Color photo looking straight up at a big ol' winged sun disk flanked by uraei cobras. All of this is fashioned of polychrome terra cotta that itself sits on multicolored vertical stripes of the same material. The wings especially are magnificent -- two shades of blue, some green and a highly detailed brown on tan pattern.

11 17 100

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

chigeek.bsky.social @chigeek.bsky.social · 14d

We’ve been destroying the history & culture of this country for a long time. Highways erased entire neighborhoods, suburbanization turned beautiful train stations into rubble. Pieces of art lost forever, like Adler & Sullivan's Garrick Theatre in Chicago torn down in 1961 for a parking garage. 🇺🇸

The proscenium inside Adler & Sullivan’s Garrick Theatre. Black and white photo by Richard Nickel

Demolition of Adler & Sullivan’s Garrick Theatre in 1961. Black and white photo by Richard Nickel

1 5 24

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 14d

Walter Thomas Bailey: Staring into the Yawning Gulf of Eternity by Dean R. Karau with commentary by Dr. Kwesi Daniels, Tuskegee University.

"Walter T. Bailey was the first Black American the first Black American licensed to practice architecture in Chicago (1924).

waltertbailey.com

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 14d

The next episode of Chicago Stories revisits the rise and fall of Marshall Field's — from its humble beginnings as a dry goods shop to its expansion into a national retail powerhouse, and ultimately, its demise. #ChicagoStoriesWTTW wttw.com/chicagostories

2 2 13

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

gabriel x. michael @g-x-m.bsky.social · 14d

Wells Street

2 12

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 14d

The owner of an iconic Chicago steakhouse with a location at Midway Airport has been told her airport licensing agreement is being abruptly terminated, a move she believes was done to make way for slot machines at Midway.
trib.al/v1XqVYi

Owner of famed Gene & Georgetti fears she's being pushed out at Midway Airport to make way for slots

Michelle Durpetti, owner of downtown's Gene & Georgetti restaurant, said she got word that Gene's Bistro at Midway Airport would be closing, thereby terminating her brand license agreement for the restaurant. No reason was given, but Durpetti thinks the bistro site is where slot machines envisioned…

trib.al

4 9 22

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 14d

Support Chicago Legacy Businesses!

Owner of famed Gene & Georgetti fears she's being pushed out at Midway Airport to make way for slots chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...

Owner of famed Gene & Georgetti fears she's being pushed out at Midway Airport to make way for slots

Michelle Durpetti, owner of downtown's Gene & Georgetti restaurant, said she got word that Gene's Bistro at Midway would be closing, thereby terminating her brand license agreement for the eatery. No ...

chicago.suntimes.com

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 15d

Stone Temple Baptist / First Roumanian Congregation is an amazing building with great leadership. Ward Miller and Preservation Chicago played a significant role in facilitating its Chicago Landmark Designation and we continue with ongoing support.

1 3

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 16d

A few more details from this incredible building.

Stone Temple Baptist Church (originally First Roumanian Congregation)
Architects: Joseph W Cohen & Co, 1926
#OHC2025

Exterior color close-up of part of the building's diapered gable parapet, into which are set two stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, carved in Hebrew script. A stone corbel table supports the parapet and marks a division between the fancy diapered stuff above and the more sedate brickwork of the rest of the facade.

Exterior color close-up of just the central part of an enormous arcade on the front facade. Made of limestone, each of these monumental arches is separated by columns with fancy capitals bearing the Star of David. This arch in turn holds an additional three arched windows, also separated by columns, but with less fancy capitals. Above them is stained glass in a greenish floral design and a perfectly centered roundel with the Star of David. Above the monumental arcade and set into tan brick are two limestone medallions, one featuring the Torah and the other a menorah.

Interior color photo taken on an angle from the U-shaped second floor balcony. Four ornate chandeliers featuring the Star of David in the metalwork light the sanctuary, hanging from a gently arched ceiling into the space between the arms of the U. Several sets of glowing, stained glass arched windows can be seen on the opposite side of the balcony, each topped by stained glass prominently featuring the Star of David.

Interior color close-up of a newel post with too many generations of thick white paint muting some of the details. It is topped by a spherical finial sitting on a pyramid base with a raised foliate design. Underneath this are recessed panels on each side featuring the Star of David on a ribbed background.

1 4 28

preschicago.bsky.social @preschicago.bsky.social · 15d

Love what we do here at Preservation Chicago?

Maybe share that love with the Chicago Reader...

Chicago Reader @chicagoreader.com · 16d

Who makes Chicago shine? Nominate your favorite Chicagoans now at chicagoreader.com/best to show them a little love. Nominations are open until 11:59 PM Oct 26. ✨

Best of Chicago 2025 - Chicago Reader

It's time for the Best of Chicago 2025! The ballot opens for nominations October 6 through October 26. We want to hear from you, our readers, about what is the latest and greatest in Chicago.

chicagoreader.com

1

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 15d

Chicago is a six-sport city: baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, football and politics.

With the Cubs playoff run over and spooky season in full effect, here's five places in Chicago said to be haunted by the ghosts of politicians – and their scandals.

https://to.wttw.com/43kILjq

Where Are The Most Haunted Places in Chicago? Here’s Where the Ghosts of Politicians Still Roam

We take a look at five of our favorite places in Chicago said to be haunted by the ghosts of politicians — and their scandals.

to.wttw.com

1 4 10

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Steven @stevevance.net · 15d

finally, an actual hidden gem in Chicago: an elevator for parking valets at Marina City that only employees can access

10 6 88

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Barry Butler Photography @barrybutler9.bsky.social · 15d

Colors of Autumn, Colors of the Rainbow. October at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Chicago

2 21 110

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 15d

1/3 Former Egyptian Lacquer Manufacturing Co Building. This terra cotta was modeled by the great Fritz Albert of Northwestern Terra Cotta Co, who beyond just being exceptionally good at what he did, also happened to be an Egyptologist in his spare time.

Architects: Lockwood & Co, 1926

Color close-up on an incredibly detailed Egyptian Revival door surround flanked by two large, round and empty planters. Entry to the building is through wooden double doors with glass panels covered by security bars. There is a large transom with the address above. The surround is of polychrome terra cotta, with a frieze of cobras topped by sun disks above, and 12 detailed panels of Egyptian style art to the left and right, terminating with 2 panels featuring long and skinny lotus flowers at bottom. A molding I think it meant to suggest twisted rope surrounds the whole. The three panels to the bottom right have been severely damaged.

Color detail of the polychrome terra cotta that ornaments the raised parapet. This one is a doozy -- a winged roundel featuring a stylized pharaoh, along with some horizontal hieroglyphs. The cracked and damaged roundel is flanked by two upright and menacing uraei cobras wearing crowns and facing opposite directions. The layered wings are rendered in three different colors and two different patterns and themselves sit on another bed of polychrome terra cotta that makes up the cornice.

Color photo taken at angle, showing part of the frieze of stylized upright polychrome terra cotta uraei cobra figures balancing sun disks on their heads. Their little faces are highly detailed, and you know they mean business.

Color close-up looking up at the polychrome terra cotta concave cavetto cornice, an arrangement of stylized lotus leaves in cream, green and blue. Larger leaves are in front, with slightly taller smaller leaves peeking out from in between.

4 8 57

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

starch mogul @posts-cards.bsky.social · 15d

went to the gothenburg biennial in the röda sten konsthall, a big old boiler house, and it’s clear that it would be pretty straightforward to turn the union station powerhouse into an art space like this—yeah, it’s more of an envelope rather than a building, but that’s fine for this use

art inside the old boiler house, tall ceilings, concrete, an inflatable silver sculpture, oil paintings on installed wooden walls, a fence and dirt and fake flowers

the building from the outside, a brick cube, with a bridge in the background

the building entrance next to a suspension bridge

the Union station powerhouse in chicago looking north with the sears tower in the background

1 2 6

Reposted by preschicago.bsky.social

Lady Topham Catt @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social · 15d

I talked to the Chicago Covenants Project about the significance of their work to me as a Black Chicagoan and researcher, why Chatham fascinates me as a building nerd, and the importance of celebrating the unsung architecture & neighborhoods of this city

chicagocovenants.bsky.social @chicagocovenants.bsky.social · 15d

Read our conversation with Chicago Covenants Project volunteer Cristen Brown (@ladytophamcatt.bsky.social) about how covenants research featured in her recent article for @southsideweekly.bsky.social.

Black-and-white photo of Helen C. Maybell Anglin smiling in front of her mid-century modern home in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, 1974. Overlaid text reads: “Chatham, The Soul Queen, and Covenants: A Conversation with Cristen Brown.

3 13 51