1800 S. Prairie

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Occupants: John J. Glessner
Location: 1800 S. Prairie, Telephone: South-621 (1892)
Life Span: 1886-Present
Architect: Henry Hobson Richardson

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Glessner John J. Chairman Executive Committee, International Harvester Company, 7th floor, 7 Monroe st; h. 1800 Prairie Avenue

Chicago Tribune, April 19, 1885

Significant Sale of a Residence Lot.
The sale of the southwest corner of Prairie avenue and Eighteenth street to J. J. Glessner for $50,000, reported during the last week, indicates that, notwithstanding the general dullness in trade, there are men in Chicago who have the disposition and the means to gratify their taste for an elegant home. It also shows that really choice residence lots are steadily increasing in value. A few years ago, before building in his present location, J. W. Doane offered $40,000 for this same property, and this price was then considered by the owners an adequate one, but owing to complications among the Hitchcock heirs the sale was not made. The price now paid about—$675 per foot—is not considered an extravagant one for this choice corner, being considerably less than that paid by Mr. Moulton for an inside lot in the same block utyre than three years ago.

Mr. Glessner is the Chicago representative of the house of Warder, Bushnell & Glessner of Springfield, O. He now resides on West Washington Street. He will build an elegant home on his purchase as soon as his plans are completed. Thomas & Putnam negotiated the sale of the property.

Chicago Tribune, January 31, 1965

The uncertain destiny of the old J. J. Glessner house, built almost 80 years ago at Prairie av., has aroused the tears of several history-conscious Chicagoans.

The house, one of the show places of the original south side gold coast, now holds the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation. This research organization has moved most of its operations to a new headquarters in Pittsburgh and wants to sell the Glessner building.

Richardson’s Last Work
Wiliam Hasbrook, one of those interested in preserving the building, said the Glessner house “would make a small museum of architecture.” Hasbrook is chairman of the committee for preservation of historical buildings for the local chapter or the American Institute of Architects.

Hasbrook believes the house is the only remaining residential work of the late Henry Hobson Richardson, famous Boston architect, in this city.

“Chicago is known thruout the world for architecture-not only of the past but of the present,” said Hasbrook. “Material on architectural history is scattered around the city—in bits and pieces. This house could become a central spot for this material.”

Mrs. Leon DePres, wife of the 5th ward alderman, said, Anything could happen to the building. There’s no protection for it.”

“We must see what we can do to preserve it,” she added. “It could be a future attraction for tourists.”

A City Landmark
Also interested in preserving the building is the Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks. Joseph Benson, commission secretary. said his group is “very concerned” about the fate of the house which is one of 39 official landmarks in the city.

Richardson built the house in 1886 in what came to be known as “Richardson Romanesque.” Because the architect believed beauty to be found in strength, granite blocks were used in the construction. He died three weeks after completing the house.

John J. Glessner was born in Zanesville, O., and came to this city as a young man. When International Harvester company was founded in 1902, he was a founder and became a vice president.

Granite block old home of late J. J. Glessner at 1800 Prairie av. was built in 1886 and has survived decline of once-fashionable south side gold coast. Fate of house worries history-conscious Chicagoans.

Society Rendezvous
Gessner and his wife. Frances, were social leaders for 60 years. The house was famous
for architectural significance and hospitality.

Glessner was a board president of Rush Medical college, a director of the Chicago Relief and Aid society, and a trustee of the Chicago Orphan asylum, the Chicago Orchestral association, and the Art Institute.

His wife’s Monday Morning Reading class was a feature of south side society for 50 years. Most of the fashionable women of the city began gathering at 10:30 a. m. until a class of more than 40 was assembled in the long library.

It was to their home that the Chicago Symphony orchestra members came once a year for a party.

Mrs. Glessner once was quoted as saving. “For all its granite, this home is wonderfully elastic. You can squeeze as many as you want into it.”

In 1924, Glessner announced that the house would be given to the American Institute of Architects after the deaths of himself and his wife. His will asked for its maintenance as “a museum, library, gallery, and educational institution, including a school of design for legitimate architectural assemblages.”

Rich Social Background
By 1925, a reporter wrote, “The antennae of business have encroached all round and about the dignified granite residence.” Already changing was the neighborhood which once housed the George M. Pullmans, the Marshall Fields, T. B. Blackstone, the elder Philip Armours, and Dr. Frank Billings.

Mrs. Glessner died in 1932 at the age of 84. Her husband died just before his 93d birthday in 1936.

Conforming to the request in Glessner’s will was deemed too costly in 1937 by the A. I. A., which estimated remodeling expenses at $25,000. It returned the home to the Glessner estate, whose heirs decided in 1938 to give the building to the Armour Institute of Technology.

“It is’ still in excellent shape,” said Hasbrook, “and a choice piece of property.”

Chicago Tribune, December 25, 1966

Glessner House May Open Doors in Spring

The Glessner House, 1800 Prairie av., a Chicago landmark, is expected to be open for exhibits, lectures, and seminars by the spring of 1967, officials’ of the Chicago School of Architecture Foundation have announced.

The foundation, which took title to the building this month from the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, will open the building to groups interested in the architectural heritage and environmental problems of Chicago.

The foundation plans complete restoration of the building. A fund raising drive to finance the work is in progress.

Richard Wintergreen, an officer of the foundation, said the building is one of the finest examples of domestic architecture of its period in the United States.

It is the only one of four Chicago structures, designed by H. H. Richardson, still remaining, he said. Among, its significant features is its placement on an urban site and the privacy its design provides occupants.

The house was designed for John J. Glessner, one of the founders of International Harvester company.

Glessner House May Open Doors in Spring

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