What
the Papers Said
“Richardson,
the famous Boston architect, had before his death orders for several houses
in Chicago, which in a few instances will revert to local architects willing
to literally carry out his designs. One of these is a home on Prairie
Avenue—that holy of holies where only the elect do dwell—for
a wealthy West Sider…. Prairie Avenue is a social street and also
a gossipy one, and it does not suit the neighbors that this newcomer should
exclude all possibility of watching his window and finding out what may
be going on within-doors. It has heretofore been the custom to call all
householders together when a new house was projected, and consult with
them before breaking ground; if the plans should not please the majority,
suggestions were freely offered, and such alterations made as would render
it most acceptable, and that this house is going up in spite of disapproval,
has thrown the neighborhood into a state of stupefaction.”
Chicago
Evening Journal, July 10, 1886
What
Mrs. Glessner Said
Frances
Glessner kept a journal of her life for more than forty years, including
the time during which she and her husband worked with H. H. Richardson
to build their house. Her journals offers insight into what life was like
in Chicago at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth
centuries. Here you can read what she wrote about building their house
on Prairie Avenue, working with designers and moving in to start life
on the "sunny street of the sifted few."
Today,
Mrs. Glessner's journal belongs to the Chicago History Museum, and these
excerpts appear courtesy of CHM.
Tuesday March 24, 1885: “Tuesday we bought the
lot on the Southwest corner of Prairie Avenue and 18th Street, 74 feet
front by 174 feet deep, $50,500.”
Sunday March 29, 1885: “I… spent all day
looking over books on architecture.”
Friday May 8, 1885: (in New York) “ Friday we went
to see Mr. Wm. A. Potter architect in 23rd St. We concluded to have him
make plans for our house. We were nearly three hours with him. I was much
pleased—John not in love with any New York architect. Mr. Potter
is son of the elder Bishop Potter and brother of the present Bishop.”
Wednesday May 13, 1885: “The young ladies came
to luncheon and while we were at table Mr. Richardson came—bringing
with him his assistant Mr. Shepley. We had to be excused from the table
to see him. We talked over the house and he then went with John to look
at the lot. He was much pleased with that—and said he would make
us an ideal house. Mr. R. is the largest man I have ever seen. He could
only sit on the piano stool—he parts his hair in the middle. He
stutters and sputters—breathes very heavily—and aside from
his profession is not what I should call an interesting man—he praised
our house—said he didn’t see why we need to build a house.
We assured him we wanted to keep the cosy effect of this one in our new
one. He showed us the plan of Mr. Warder’s house—asked me
for our photograph of Abingdon Abbey—he wants to make that the keynote
for our house.”
Wednesday June 17, 1885: “Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell
came at 7:35 Wednesday and Mr. William A. Potter came a few hours later.
Mr. P’s train was late so he went to the Tremont House from where
John had his baggage sent here. Mr. P… is a prominent architect
and a real gentleman. He was at one time supervising architect for the
government. He brought plans for our house—the plans have given
us some disappointment—not so convenient or artistic as we had expected.
Mr. Richardson’s plans came at about the same time although we did
not examine them until Mr. P. had gone. Mr. R’s plans are certainly
very beautiful.”
Saturday November 14, 1885: “Mr. Richardson and
Mr. Shepley called here but I was dressing. They left the ground plans
for our house. We looked over them and are delighted with them.”
Saturday April 3, 1886: “John and I drove to our
lot where we got out and walked inside the yard. The old house is being
torn down.”
Sunday April 18, 1886: “We have been busy looking
at plans all the week. Contracts have not yet been made—as the prices
are all too high, one bid was $122,000, another $89,000 and another $87,400.
We hope to get them down low enough to award the contracts.”
Thursday October 21, 1886: (returning from summer in
New Hampshire) “In the afternoon we drove to out beautiful new house
and I am more delighted than I ever hoped to be with it—it is truly
beautiful and in every way desirable and delightful. Then we drove to
see the MacVeagh house which is beautiful too—we went through it
and like it exceedingly.”
Sunday October 24, 1886: “In the afternoon John,
George and I went to the new house. We got a better idea of the work than
we did the other visit—it is a beautiful building. We walked across
the street to take a distant look and two ladies passed by us—one
said to the other ‘there isn’t a single pretty thing about
it.” Such will be the universal verdict I fear.”
Monday November 28, 1887: “We moved our first wagon
load of furniture to our new house.”
Thursday December 1, 1887: “Today we moved by the
wagon load—and slept here our first night. We worked very hard all
day and at half past five dressed to go to dinner at Mrs. O. R. Keith’s.
No one knew we had been moving, every thing was taken in the alley way
and unpacked in the court yard.”
December 4, 1887: “Today we took a carriage and
went to the old home. It looked very forlorn. We kindled a fire in the
library and I lighted a lantern which I had carried over and brought the
light home – then from that I lighted a fire here in the library.”
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