This week I’m dedicating this post to my Aunt Frances. She passed away yesterday at age 90. I love and miss her so much, and this morning I realized I especially miss sharing my photos with her. She enjoyed seeing photos of my adventures in Chicago neighborhoods because she loved to wander too, but no longer could. So, this week these photos of Wicker Park Avenue are for her………….
This 2 1/2 story Victorian house located at 2138 West Pierce in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood was built for Hans (John) Runge in 1884-86. The house has intricate wood detailing and a unique mix of wood and brick construction. Hans Runge was a treasurer of a wood milling company, so that may explain the heavy use of wood in the home. In 1902 the house was sold to John F. Smulski. He was a prominent local banker and politician and a leader in the movement to make Poland a free independent state. Through this effort he worked closely with famous Polish composer and pianist Ignance Paderewski. In legend and folklore the house is more commonly known as the Paderewski House or the Polish Consulate House.
In the 1930s Paderewski gave an outdoor concert for the Wicker Park community from the building’s veranda. The Wicker Park District was once known as the Polish Gold Coast.
Wicker Park has been a part of Chicago since it was incorporated as a city in 1837. The furthest northwest part of the city was North Avenue and Wood Street. By 1853 the heart of the Wicker Park District, North, Milwaukee and Damen was populated by homes. The homes on Evergreen Avenue were built mostly in the 1880s with a few as early as the 1870s. The following architectural styles were common on Evergreen: Italianate, Queen Anne, Workers Cottages, Victorian, Gothic, and Romanesque.
