The historic mansion  and coach house are located North of the Grosse Point Lighthouse at 2603 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois.

     The style of the buildings is English Tudor and French Eclectic.  The architect was Richard Powers.  It was completed in 1927 for Harley Clarke, his wife and his two children.

     The house is three stories.   There are 16 rooms, 7 bedrooms, glass conservatory, ballroom, and 6 chimneys.  The exterior is limestone.   Square footage is 18,500 feet.  It was originally located on a 5 acre site.    The grounds were landscaped by Jens Jensen and Alfred Caldwell.

     Harley Clarke was a wealthy utilities magnate.  At one time, he was president of five separate light, power and gas companies.  He was a member of the Union League Club and the Chicago Athletic Club.    He and his family occupied the house until 1940.

     The mansion was purchased by the fraternity Sigma Chi and was used as their headquarters from 1951 to 1965.  The city of Evanston purchased the Harley Clarke  Mansion in 1965.  The Evanston Arts Center leased it from 1965–2015.  Part of the reason for the departure was the deteriorating condition of the building and the expense to correct them.

     Over the years, several proposals have been floated for the mansion.   None of them materialized.   There was a proposal to demolish the structure.   However, the building still stands.

These are located in Evanston, Illinois at 470-498 Sheridan Rd.

This structure is located at 2601 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois.

Visitation Academy Front

This historic building is located at 2100 Ridge Avenue in Evanston, Illinois. It was built in 1900 as Visitation Academy. It was an all girl’s school. It was staffed by Visitation nuns. The architect was Henry J. Schlacks. The style is Georgian Revival. The school building and 10 acres of property was sold to the Sisters of Providence in 1915. Originally, the new owners planned to keep the old name for the school. However, the ultimately changed the name to Marywood.

At first, elementary grades and commercial courses were included. In 1945, kindergarten and first grade classes were discontinued. In 1947, all grade school classes were eliminated. A building addition was constructed in 1924-5. Resident students were no longer accepted after 1966-1967. The school closed in 1970. The property was sold to the City of Evanston in 1975.  It is currently operating as the city of Evanston Civic Center.

Visitation Academy Front

Visitation Academy Side

V

Former Visitation Academy, Rear

Former Visitation Academy Rear

Former Visitation Academy Front

Same as above

Visitation Academy

Visitation Academy

Visitation Academy side

The building was placed in 2006 in the National Register of Historic Places

This is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Avenue Chicago.  It was built  in 1926 by brothers William and Andrew  Karzas.  Construction costs were 2 million dollars.  The ballroom was built to replicate a Spanish palace courtyard.    It featured crystal chandeliers,  mosaic tiles, beautiful arches, extravagant balconies and terra cotta ceilings.  Architects were  Huszagh and Hill  with help of  John Eberson.

It was originally built as a venue for men in tuxedoes and women in gowns to dance to the music of big bands.

This house is located at 225 Greenwood Street, Evanston,Illinois. It was built in 1894-5. Building costs were $40,000. The house is on a 2 acre lot. It was purchased in 1888 for a cost of $40,000. The original owner was Reverend D. Sheppard, DD. He was the Treasurer and Business Manager of Nortwestern University and Garrett Biblical Institute.It

The architect of the house was Henry Edwards Flicken. There is a coach house adjacent to the main house. It was built in 1892-3. The architect was Clinton J. Warner.

The main house was 3 and one half stories. Its exterior was variegated tan and orange brick with red sandstone trim. There is a ceramic tile terra cotta roof. There are 25 rooms,6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and 13 fireplaces.

The coach house had 4 horse stalls, 2 cow stalls and servants quarters on the second floor. The first Floor is now used for storage. The second floor is now used as a rental apartment.

The house was sold to Charles G.Dawes in 1909 for $75,000.

A conservatory once was attached to the main house. It was razed in 1960. A green house was attached to the coach house. It was razed in 1941.

The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.