Cohn's Columns


[Harris Cohn House (1891) Theodore Lewandowski, architect /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

As you wander along the southern edge of Chicago's little triangular green space called Wicker Park, you can't help but pause and gaze up at the polished marble columns framing the first floor of the house at 1941 W. Schiller Street. Built in 1891 for clothing manufacturer Harris Cohn, architect Theodore Lewandowski's design was a real eye-catcher in a neighborhood filled with architectural eye-poppers.


[Harris Cohn House, 1941 W. Schiller Street, Wicker Park, Chicago /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

Lewandowski loaded the exterior with a mixture of styles beginning at the front porch, and climbing all the way up to the corner turret. The visually dynamic facade provided a dramatic opening for a variety of entertainments the Cohns hosted in the home. Their names often appeared in the society pages of the Chicago Tribune, and until they got married, daughters Sadie and Gertrude held a number of teas in the large, first floor parlor. The senior Cohn's Wicker Park social soiree's came to a close when the clothier sold the property to Jacob Pines in 1913.


[1941 W. Schiller Street, Chicago, 2009 /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

As happened so often with these large turn-of-the-century houses, by the time the 1930s rolled around the single family residence was occupied by a number of tenants renting out rooms in a divided, chopped-up interior. But the original hearty limestone and marble exterior held on, despite the ravages of time and lack of maintenance, until the home was restored to its late 19th century splendor for 21st century socializing.

See more Wicker Park houses at: Hanson on Hoyne, and Garden Artillery.

Posted by designslinger at 12/14/2010 4:54 AM
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: mansions Wicker Park Theodore Lewandowski
 

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  • 12/16/2010 3:27 AM Therese wrote:
    A very curious home but one can imagine what kind of social life was inhabiting it...
    I like the touches of red which brings some light to the whole thing.
    1. 12/16/2010 5:54 AM designslinger wrote:
      How nice to hear from you! Hope all is well out Arizona way. We're having a heat wave. The high was near 25 degrees yesterday!
  • 1/9/2011 1:03 AM nuapennaIceby wrote:
    very interesting, thanks
    1. 1/9/2011 6:38 AM designslinger wrote:
      You're welcome!
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