Beautiful Historic Mansion in Wicker Park

We have been very busy lately. Driving all over the city and suburbs, showing properties, writing offers on properties.

We will be highlighting some of the great homes and unique places we saw.

While out showing homes in Wicker Park, we came across a beautiful and famous residence.

It is a Queen Anne-style home on North Hoyne Avenue, just south of North Avenue. The house was built in 1878, just 7 years after the Chicago Fire. It is one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood. The decorative trim on the towers, cornices, and the conservatory on the house is made from pressed metal. 

Hoyne Ave was formerly known as the Beer Baron row, and housed some of the wealthiest German Brewers in the country. Built between 1868 and 1905, many of the mansions still exist and have been restored.

We were able to meet the owner Carol, who has lived in the home with her husband Nick since 1977. She really takes pride of ownership of her home. She was working in the garden, and showed us around the property. Absolutely amazing. The history of the property and the architectural design was breathtaking.

How cool is that. They have a Koi pond and a miniature railroad train with a miniature town around the pond.

Yes, that is a cannon in their front yard. It was installed when the house was used to house the American Legion from 1927 to 1972.

This plaque explains that this howitzer from 1912 weighs 2600 pounds. The house was built as a single family home, and was turned into an American Legion Hall in 1927.

The Howitzer belongs to the Great Lakes Naval Station, and placed on the property in 1934, when Pulaski Post 86 received its charter.

Except for the 800 square feet meeting hall, the house retains its original interior restored by the current owners who have lived there for the past 45 years.