Potter Palmer Mansion
Life Span: 1882-1951
Location: 100 Lake Shore Drive (1350 N. Lake Shore Drive)
Architect: Henry Ives Cobb and Charles Frost
- Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1885
Palmer Potter (Palmer House Co) State se. cor. Monroe, house Lake shore drive bt Banks and Schiller
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Potter Bertha H wid Potter h 100 Lake Shore drive
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1911
Potter Bertha H wid Potter h 1350 Lake Shore drive
Introduction
At the time of the construction of the mansion, Potter Palmer was already responsible for much of the development of State Street. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the buildings on State Street were destroyed, and Palmer was yet again responsible for its redevelopment. Construction on the mansion began in 1882, and its exterior work was completed in 1883. However, interior decoration would continue for another two years before the building was entirely complete.
Henry Ives Cobb and Charles Frost were chosen as the architects for the mansion. The interiors were completed under the direction of architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee. John Newquist, who had already worked with Palmer on numerous other constructions, was chosen as the contractor and stair constructer. Although it was originally budgeted at $90,000, after five years of construction, the mansion would cost the Palmers more than a million dollars.
- Residence on the Shore of Lake Michigan for Potter Palmer, Esq.
Cobb & Frost Architects, Chicago, Ill.
1882
Chicago Tribune, February 22, 1882
A portion of the property along the Lakeshore drive, which has long been neglected as far as buildings are concerned, has at last fallen into the hands of parties who are going to improve it; and it is probable that within five years, nearly all the frontage, certainly north of Division street, will be occupied by handsome and magnificent dwellings. One of the first to commence the erection of a home there will be Mr. potter Palmer. Cobb & Forst have about completed his plans, which are for the largest and most expensive residence in Chicago. It will be located on the northwest corner of Banks street—which is midway between Schiller and Goethe—and the drive, facing east and south. The dimensions, including the conservatory, are 135×106 feet. The building will be three stories high, above the basement, and will be limestone of three colors from quarries near the Bay of Quinte, Canada. A light Ohio stone will be used for the trimming.
On the first floor will be a large hall, and leading out of it a drawing-room, dining-rom, morning-room, reception-room, and library. The second floor will contain sleeping and other necessary rooms. On the third floor will be a smoking-room, billiard-room, etc. The plans for the interior are by no means complete; hence details cannot be given. The architecture is castellated gothic, and the outside finish rough broken ashlar; that indoors gothic, carved wood to be used. The contract for the stone was let yesterday, and it is Mr. Potter’s intention to begin on the foundation as soon as possible. The mansion is to be erected entirely by day’s work, so it is difficult to tell the cost, but the estimate is in the neighborhood of $300,000, though it may cost more.
The Lincoln Park Commissioners agreed to allow Potter Palmer the privilege of dredging sand from the lake to fill up lots along the Lake-Shore drive upon which he proposes to build. They also substantially agreed to allow him to remove trees in front of the lots to a point twelve feet east, and to lay a sidewalk in front of the premises at some time in the future, on condition that he would deed to the Park Board all of his riparian rights to the locality.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
1882
Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, November 6, 1882
POTTER PALMER’S NEW HOUSE.
Mr. Potter Palmer leaves today for New York, whence he sails in the steamer Servia for Europe on Wednesday. Mr. Palmer goes directly to Paris, where he will meet his wife and children, and where he will spend the most of the winter. He will return in the spring. Mr. Palmer goes for a vacation and for rest, which he has not enjoyed since the great fire of 1871. He has well under way his new house, on the Lake-Shore drive and Banks street. This house is an innovation in American architecture, nothing like it having yet been built in this country. The style is Norman castellated Gothic, somewhat toned down as to conform to modern ideas, but retaining all the beauties of the medieval period. The exterior has been finished to the roof. It stands in a lot 160 feet front by 300 feet deep. The building has a frontage of eighty feet and a depth of 100 feet. The material used in its construction is Connecticut brown stone, rock-faced, with plain butts of Cleveland sand-stone. The building on the street fronts is three stories high, with turrets and towers, rising above the roof from ten to fifteen feet, and a grand square tower, surmounted with round tower, in which there will be a spiral stairway, the towers reaching to the height of seventy feet above the ground. On the south end there will be a mammoth conservatory, windows to which will be open from the library, sitting, and dining rooms. In the main tower there will be two floors above the roof, each of which will contain a room eighteen feet square, while at the base of the tower there will be a balcony capable of accommodating forty persons, which will give a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Ferom the top of the house on a clear day one can see across the lake to the Michigan shore, which has already been demonstrated by careful observation. The main entrance and carriage-way are upon the northeast corner of the house. In the house there will be an innovation. On one side of the vestibule there will be direct entrance to the elevator, while on the other will be a stairway for guests leading directly to the upper part of the house.
The roof will not be put on until warm weather commences next year. It will be of iron and masonry arches. The whole house will be fireproof. Mr. Palmer’s enterprise on State street before the fire is well known. It was through his efforts that the street has been made a great broad thoroughfare for a length of five miles.
He now proposes to make the north shore an attractive place for elegant homes. He has purchased perhaps two-thirds of the mile of frontage on the Lake-Shore drive, of the deep lots between Water-Works and Lincoln Park. It took him a period covering nearly three years to get hold of this property, and he had succeeded only after great effort. Through his enterprise the great holes of stagnant water have been dried up and in their place there has been put a filling of clean lake sand, and his efforts and enterprise has caused the Catholic Bishop to do likewise. Mr. Palmer has been asked to sell some of the property, but he has declined until next spring, when he will offer some of it for sale at a reasonable price only to those who will guarantee to build fine residences, in keeping with the surroundings and view to be obtained. Mr. Palmer thinks that this part of will be the most desirable residence portion of the city. It will be frere from dust, away from the railroad and street noises, and that here will be erected the finest homes in the country.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
First Floor Plan
Industrial Chicago, 1891:
The plans by Cobb & Frost for the Palmer residence on the lake shore drive were approved by the owner in April, 1882. The architect’s description of the house credits it to the early Egyptian embattled style, with modern dressing such as large bays. The east front is eighty-two feet and the depth one hundred and eight feet. Two windowed projections surmounted by balconies rise to a height of three stories, and with the stone balcony on the southeast corner give prominence to the east façade. The north façade shows a heavy bay and a square tower, with turret on its northeast corner, the finial of which is eighty feet from ground level. Petit tourettes mark the upper corners of the roof outline on the east front and other parts. The square tower appears more imposing than it really is, owing to the architectural aims toward this end in the northeast corner. The ordinary arch of the pointed style is not visible, but the early style is liberally endowed with pillars of the Gothic period.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
The Three-story Main Hall
The porte-cochère, on the northeast corner, and the conservatory, 60×40 feet, on the south side, are well brought out. The main entrance is in the northeast corner. From the porte-cochère a large vestibule is entered, and then a hall, 80×88 feet, the hight of two stories, with gallery on the level of first floor. The main stairway with its marble dados and rich furnishings is found here. The library, 20×42 feet, lighted by two bays, occupies the southeast corner. The morningroom, 20×24 feet, the diningroom, 22×32 feet, with its old-fashioned fireplace, and the receptionroom in the tower, 15×18 feet, open on corridors. In the northeast corner is the drawingroom, 22×51 feet, lighted by a bay 22×7 feet. The statuary alcove at the west side of this room is lighted from the ceiling. The kitchen is in the basement, and the servants’ rooms in that section of the building carrying a third story. Canada gray limestone, laid in six-inch courses, and trimmings, moldings, carvings and cornices in Ohio sandstone, shown in the exterior, were all cut and furnished by Young & Farrell.”
- Potter Palmer Mansion
1900
- The owners of the homes are as follows: 100 Potter Palmer; 103 Franklin MacVeagh; 109 S. E. Barrett; 111 Mrs. M. D. Ogden; 112 V. C. Turner; 117 Harry G. Selfridge; 120 Herman H. Kohlsaat; 125 A. C. McClurg; 130 Orrin W. Potter
Chicago Tribune, June 29, 1921
Chicago soclety was interested to learn yesterday that Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer, who have been living at 1050 Lake Shore drive, are planning to occupy the residence of the late Mrs. Potter Palmer at 1350 Lake Shore drive ig the autumn.
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer will return tomorrow from the east, having given up their plan of sailing for Europe on July 3. They will move out to Lake Forest, where they have taken a house for the summer, on Friday or Saturday.
May Assume Social Scepter.
Society is wondering if the junior Mrs. Palmer’s decision to occupy the old mansion means she is going to take the position In Chicago which her mother-in-law held. She formerly was Miss Pauline Kohlsaat.
The Palmer house, one of the show places of Chicago, was erected in 1885. During the lifetime of Mrs. Palmer it was the scene of numerous entertainments, and many foreigners of note visited there. It has been unoccupied since the death of. Mrs. Palmer except for caretakers.
Many Rumors About House.
It was opened twice last winter, once for a masked ball given by the Arts club, again for a reception given by Mr. and Mrs. Palmer for the Princess Cantacuzene.
There have been many rumors concerning the use to which it was to be put. One report had it the residence was to be torn down and an apartment building erected on the site, another that the archbishop had purchased it and numerous others.
- LEFT: Potter Palmer, son of the former society leader, who with his wife is to move into the old family mansion.
RIGHT: Mrs. Potter Palmer, daughter-in-law of the first Mrs. Potter Palmer, who is to occupy her mother-in-law’s old home.
Chicago Tribune, November 14, 1934
Chicago’s charity auction started yesterday with more than three hundred persons present at the Potter Palmer mansion on Lake Shore drive at the afternoon and evening sessions. Offered for sale were one thousand pieces of furniture, valuable paintings, tapestries, lamps and various other types of interior furnishing items. Some three hundred pieces were sold in yesterday’s two sessions. The auction is to run three days.
All of the objects offered were collected from homes of Chicagoans. Proceeds of the sale go to the Children’s Memorial and St. Luke’s hospital. Although 25 per cent of the proceeds are to be returned to the donors of the articles many have waived their rights. A dollar admission is charged to the sale, the sum being credited to the first purchase.
Chicago Tribune July 13, 1949
Plan to Raze Palmer Home for 740 Flats
BY AL CHASE
Chicago’s world famous Potter Palmer mansion at 1350 Lake Shore dr. is to be razed and two 21 story rental apartment buildings are to be erected on its site at a cost of 7 million dollars if present plans of a Chicago syndicate are carried out, it was learned yesterday. The two structures will have 740 small apartments. ranging from 2 to 5 rooms and with rentals at about $40 per room, according to a tentative schedule.
If the federal housing administration makes a loan commitment, work will be started late this summer with the expectation of having the big project ready for tenants in the fall of 1950. Loebl, Schlossman & Bennet, Chicago architects, have drawn plans for structures of modem contemporary design. Draper & Kramer, one of Chicago’s largest apartment management firms, is sponsoring the development.
Once Hub Of Social Life
The castellated, brownstone Palmer residence, erected in 1882 at a cost of more than a million dollars, was the hub of Chicago’s social life before and after the Chicago World’s Columbian exposition of 1893. With Mrs. Potter Palmer Sr. presiding. it was the scene of many large social gatherings.
It was the first house in Chicago to have a passenger elevator. It also was unique in not having an outside lock on any door or a doorknob that would turn from the outside. Even Potter Palmer Sr. had to ring for admittance.
The late Vincent Bendix, automotive millionaire, bought the property in 1928 for about 3 million dollars and had plans drawn for a 15 million dollar co-operative apartment project. one unit of which was to be 45 stories high. In 1930 he is said to have turned down an offer of 6 million dollars for the property.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
The Art Gallery
The depression, however, side-tracked the Bendix project, and in 1933 he sold the property at a reported loss to a syndicate which, in turn, gave up the property thru foreclosure in 1934 when the Palmer estate regained possession.
Plan 99 Year Lease
In 1945 a New York syndicate bought the property from the Potter Palmer estate for an undisclosed price, title being taken by the 1350 corporation, owned by a group headed by Bing & Bing, Inc., and General Realty & Utilities corporation, both of New York City. Plans for a tall apartment building were considered, but later were shelved.
Present negotiations call for a 99 year lease on the property by the Chicago syndicate, membership in which has not been disclosed.
The property, fronting 328 feet on Lake Shore dr. and extending from Schiller st. to Banks st., contains about 100,000 square feet of land. It long has been regarded as one of the outstanding potential apartment sites in Chicago.
Bernard Nath of Sdnnenschein. Berkson, Lautmann, Levinson & Morse, is attorney for the Draper & Kramer syndicate.
Chicago Tribune February 10, 1950
RELIC OF ERA! THAT’S PALMER CASTLE TODAY
GRACIOUS, SPLENDID MEMORIES REMAIN.
By Rita Fitzpatrick
Chicago is tearing, not turning, a page of its history.
The first bricks of the famed old Potter Palmer castle that has brooded over the lake front at 1350 Lake Shore dr., like a fortress of a gracious age for more than half a century, have begun to fall. Where once sounded the wheeled rhythm of elegant carriages and the trained prancing of their blooded horses, the clatter and clamor of wrecking machines and hungry scoop shovels dominated the scene yesterday.
The debacle was almost an embarrassing thing to watch, like the face of a haughty and elegant matriarch dissolve into tears.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
1950
Memories of Gracious Hostess
A reporter traipsing thru the cold, barren, baronial halls felt the echoes of other footsteps around her, of Presidents and princesses, kings and queens, fabled millionaires, and great artists who once were wined and dined lavishly there. But chiefly there seemed to be the stately tread of the chatelaine of the castle, Mrs. Potter Palmer Sr., the woman who ruled Chicago’s society in its most gracious, splendid day.
It is symbolic somehow of the present way of life that the turreted old brownstone castle is being wrecked to make way for an enormous apartment building, accommodating families in apartments of 2 to 5 rooms, reportedly at $40 a room.
Demolition of the quaint, imposing, old landmark has been opposed for years to no avail by old time Chicagoans, who were successful in preserving the picturesque old Water Tower when it was to have been torn down. They feel that when the castle is gone, something of Chicago, too, will be gone.
Given Author’s Accolade
And no doubt it will be. This was the mansion that Thomas Tallmadge in his “Architecture In Old Chicago” asserted was “the mansion to end all mansions,” If this be true, then the razing is really the beginning of the end. Already the servants’ quarters behind the castle, a stone building of 40 rooms, is clattering beneath the ruthless pummeling of the wrecking crews.
Monday they will trudge with mud caked shoes into the beautiful old oak walled foyer of the castle itself and start to tear down murals and carvings, marbles and memories. Like a wake for some revered personage, the public will be admitted until this Sunday night to view the silent, dignified remains before they pass into.
More than 1,000 persons have toured the chilled, stately rooms since its doors were opened Saturday. Yesterday’s spectators seemed afraid to talk out loud, and whispered their comments to their companions. Even in death, the castle is impressive.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
The Second Floor Landing.
Cost a Millon in 1882
It was fabulous, even in a fabulous day. Built by the “Father of State St.,” Potter Palmer Sr., in 1882 at a cost of 1 million dollars, it immediately became the show place of the city. Its architects, Henry Ives Cobb and Charles Sumner Frost, designed it after English Gothic, perhaps thinking it would stand for centuries. English ivy has clambered over its porte-cochere and graceful long windows, perhaps thinking the same thing.
During the World’s Columbian exposition of 1893, when Mrs. Palmer, regal in her diamond tiara and famous rope of pearls, was hostess of the city as president of the board of lady managers, dignitaries from all the world were entertained in the castle.
Perhaps under no other Chicago roof have such illustrious personages appeared, among residents Grant and McKinley, the Infanta Eulalia of Spain, the duke and duchess of Veragua, de- of Columbus, and King Edward VII of England.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
The Dining Room.
Chicago’s Society Capital
Society, in the most exclusive sense of the word, rode up its winding driveway’ and descended beneath the magnificent porte-cochere from the time it was built until as late as 1935 when it was reopened for a final fling of opulence at the debut of Pauline Palmer, now Mrs. Arthur MacDougall Wood, the dowager’s granddaughter.
As one walks softly, for no good reason, thru the spacious, vaulted rooms, it is easy to envision the grandiose scenes that must have taken place there. You can almost see the glitter of precious jewels, hear the rustle of silks and satin, the whisper of bubbling champagne, and the laughter of cul- tured voices. If one stands still, the music is faint but definite coming from the gold leafed balcony In the wine red velvet draped ballroom.
A visitor lets out his or her first gasp on entrance to the magnifi- cent octagonal reception hall. It rises two stories to a golden stained glass cupola, its walls of quarter sawed oak decorated by bas relief oak leaves and acorns, hand carved to the minute detail. The rotunda Is the hub of the house with all the stately rooms opening from it on all the floors.
Library Place of Beauty
The library, which faces the front on the east side of the castle, Is truly beautiful. Exquisitely hand carved oak walls are complemented by murals of operatic figures, painted by the great Gabriei Ferrier.
Every room in the house has a fireplace. Most of them are of different kinds of marble. A heroic one that might have graced the halls of Camelot opens up in the foyer. It is trimmed in wine red marble, and gaps wide enough to roast a steer. An intricately carved clock is embedded in the mantel.
Everywhere is the elegance of a vanished day. The dining room, walled in solid mahogany which still gleams from decades of being oiled by the careful hands of servants, boasts two gigantic, built-in buffets backed in glistening crystal. Above the wainscoting, opulent cupids prance about carrying leaves and ropes of grapes. The windows tower 8 feet high and the sun comes thru the stained Tiffany glass.
Roman Baths Rivaled
Throughout the house, in all 42 rooms, the floors are either parquet or mosaic. The baths would do justice to the days of the Romans, particularly that off the former bedroom of Potter Palmer II.
After the Victorian elegance of the first two floors, it is some- thing of a shock to find that the third floor has been “modern- ized.” Startling black and white polka dot wallpaper rims the cen- ter hall, and a cocktail paper is giddy under hand carved moldings In one bedroom. One fat, old fash- Ioned bathtub has been painted black.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
The First Floor Gallery
Vicissitudes of Modernity.
This was the work of Vincent Bendix. who purchased the old castle from the Palmers for 1 million dollars in 1928 and refused 6 millions for it in 1930. He later sold it at a reputed loss to a syndicate, who in turn forfeited it back to the Palmer estate on foreclosure.
Only two times since then have the turrets of the resounded with the voices of Chicago’s society: when it was opened in 1935 for “little Pauline’s” debut and in 1942 when the city’s prominent women gathered there weekly to make Red Cross bandages.
But the voices of the glamorous ghosts of the past still seem to whisper thru the halls and down the broad, hand carved stairway. When the towers come tumbling down, the voices will be gone, and with them, a Chicago that is no more.
- Potter Palmer Mansion
1902
- Potter Palmer Mansion
1950
Chicago Tribune, February 10, 1950
- Palmer Estate
Robinson Fire Map
1886
- Palmer Estate
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1910
I do ghost tours at Graceland Cemetery and of course the Palmers are always part of the tour. Excellent family indeed.
Great reading… thanks! Brightest pics I’ve seen of the interior. Plus the period piece on the demo was a glimpse of a long ago era and the year of my birth.
My Mom took me there when I was five years old, before it was torn down. It made a huge impression on me during my entire life and I am still touring historic homes and properties!
Does anyone have information on the remnants on this home being purchased and moved to the shores of Lake Michigan near South Haven, Mi, ?
DaGhost,
Is this true about South Haven area? I live close by and would love to see the home built from the remnants of this incredible home?
Hello,
I am a Chicago historian and would be very much interested in any information regarding South Haven and it’s connection to the Palmer castle. My cell is 708 528 7223.
Thank You,
Bill
I own the west wall library book case from the Palmer castle. My father purchased it at auction back in 1950 from the T. M. White Company.
This the wrecking company that tore down the mansion. From the pictures I have, the book case was located between on the wall between
the entrance to the morning room and the entrance to the hall from the library. At just over 14ft. long with all the ornate hand carved doors and
carvings along the top, a very impressive piece indeed. I might be interested in selling this piece. If there is any interest contact me at
barbellranch @ yahoo.com. Check out a picture of it at: http://digital-libraries.saic.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/mqc/id/29237/rec/21
I’ve been studying this castle like mansion since I was 14!! I am now 33 and it has always bothered me to no end that they just had to knock down such a majestic piece of craftsmanship!! I think about all the manual labor that went into building something like that…. Especially since it was built in the late 1800″s! Most everything was done by hand or with very limited equipment and tooling!! And it really was not that old of a house when it was torn down!! Such a shame!! I would love if someone, could have done something, anything to stop it!! I would love to have seen it!! They just don’t build things like that anymore!! Everybody these days just seems to be quickly to do out with the old and in with the new!! Only problem is there usually is nothing special about the buildings that replace these classy old ones!!
Conservationists mean well, but spending other people’s money just for curb appeal is easier said than done.
While Chicago does not have the ancient history of a Rome, the Great Chicago Fire created a build it/rebuild it infrastructure that keeps the city fresh and a magnificent skyline.
the grant family
president grant’s grand family
I just stumbled on this site, curious about a different Pauline Palmer, a well known early 20th C. Chicago artist. My mother, who was born in 1916 and grew up in a prominent family in Chicago, used to tell a very poignant story about attending a birthday party as a child at the Potter Palmer mansion in the early ’20’s. It is good that there are photos of that remarkable place, anyway.
Enjoyed finding this site and most of all seeing the provenance of the light fixtures hanging in the Palmer dining room (page 10). They were designed by the Herter Brothers and stain glass, the work of Louis Tiffany. They now grace a home in Atlanta and bring memories of a different place and time. As a small boy I toured the grand house with family on the weekend before the wreckers stated their sad-work. I recall large wood paneled room, big windows on that gray day and “millions” of carved newel-posts. There was also a strange “closed-up” smell in the house. Alas, the house is gone but some treasures still remain in memory and in Atlanta.
My family has oak doors and large “trim” panels from the Potter Palmer Mansion library which were created by master German wood carvers. Many pieces were put in storage in a building on Ravenswood near Lawrence. My dad worked nearby and saw pieces being thrown into a dumpster one day. He grabbed as many as he could fit on his bicycle, the rest either went to the dump or were grabbed by other scavengers. If anyone is interested in owning a piece of Palmer history, call me at 773.792.1224 (landline, leave a message with your name/#) or email bleufishh @ yahoo.com. I have 3-4 pieces immediately available, the others are in Asheville, NC with relatives. I plan on shopping the pieces around to local museums soon.
Curious to know if anyone has information about an ornate Steinway upright piano commissioned by Potter Palmer and completed in 1885. I am not able to ascertain if the piano was for the Potter Castle or for one of the Potter House Hotels. I would be most interested to see a photo of this piano in one of the Palmer buildings if anyone has a lead on one.
I attended The Death of a Mansion with a student of the Chicago Art Institute in 1950 and have wonderful memories of the Black & White Ball.
My great grandmother was the Potter’s cook and worked in the mansion I wish I could have seen it it was gone before I was born
Kyle Krueger I actually just noticed this mansion right now and I’m 15! I’m doing a German project right now where we have to draw our dream home and describe it in the German language. After searching online of what house I want to draw I found this one. I really hope one day a house similar to the Palmer mansion can be reconstructed again because it is such a shame how such a beautiful house that was really important in Chicago history had to be demolished. I know you are not 14 anymore, but I’m glad to know I’m not the only teen that is obsessed with this house?
I was told that my grandfather did gold leafing on the ceiling of the Grand ballroom. Never have seen any pictures. I am sure that no list of artisans is available but would like to know.