In the picture reproduced above will be seen the present-residence of Mrs. Bessie Valentine Erhart, 9953 Beverly Avenue. This old dwelling was at one time known as the Gardner Inn, and is probably one of the oldest houses still standing in Chicago. It is definitely known through the Wilcox family that it was in existence in 1836, and other old settlers claim that it was built as early as 1816.
The south wing, or right hand portion as seen in the picture, is the original structure. The hand-hewn timbers here, the windows and doors are just as they were built.
COMMERCIAL CLUB TO MEET ON TUESDAY
Matters of Interest to Come Before Business Men at First Session of Year
At the next regular meeting of the Morgan Park Commercial Club, to be held on Tuesday evening of next week, it will be announced that the Club dues for the coming year will be doubled. The increase will provide funds for the maintenance of the electric sign advertising the district. The sign is located on Western Avenue between 110th and 111th Streets.
The woman in the picture is the late Mrs. Mary Bartlett, mother of Mrs. Erhart, who formerly lived at 93rd and Western. In the spring of 1870 she and her husband, Milton Parish Bartlett, moved to the old Gardner Inn and it has since been occupied by members of the family. Mrs. Mary Bartlett, who was a sister of R. H. Valentine, 1451 W. 103rd Street, died in 1925 after 55 years’ residence in the house pictured above.
The following data, from an article which appeared in the Chicago Evening Post of Sept. 17, 1890, is of historical value. It is published through the courtesy of Mrs. Erhart and contains an account and description of the Old Gardner Inn.
FENGER NIGHT SCHOOL OPENS JANUARY 3RD
G. P. Drueck Is Principal; Variety of Courses Offered Four Nights Each Week
The new, modern Fenger Evening School will reopen in the new Fenger High School, 113th and Wallace Streets, on Jan. 3, for the second semester’s work. Instruction is free to the public. The following courses are offered:
Dressmaking, cooking, sewing, millinery, bookkeeping, shorthand, filing, typewriting, comptometry, machine drawing, architectural drawing, sheet metal drawing.
Original Article
