The RHS Facebook page is a rich archive of history-related posts by Carol Flynn, RHS Facebook admin and writer until mid-2025. Carol prolifically wrote a wide variety of meticulously researched local history articles for RHS. She continues to write for the Beverly Review and other media sources with articles particularly focused on local Ridge history.
Local Architecture
The Ridge Historical Society does not routinely get involved in real estate transactions or even listings, except to help with house history requests.
However, this unique listing is worth mentioning from a historical and aesthetic viewpoint.
One of the Homes of Tomorrow from the 1933 Chicago's World Fair Exhibition is now available.
The Florida Tropical House was moved to Beverly Shores, Indiana, by barge in 1935 with five other houses from the exhibit. Today, four of the houses, including this one, comprise the Century of Progress Historic Architectural District.
You don't actually get to own the house. For a very substantial sum, you get a long-term lease from the National Park Service, as well as the obligation to preserve and maintain the house, and make it open one day per year for public viewing. That event usually happens one day each Fall, and a chance to tour these houses is a must-see attraction.
The green art deco bathroom is the selling point for me!
https://gniarmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Gniarmls&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=t1IGbEhXaHixVQunrUGbAhAHafN3xUD9rfeK4xajgxw%3D&KeyRid=1&SID=d4552747-9d1a-4179-a4f0-ed9251e1fc50&fbclid=IwAR1htPfcd9ErD2fNgHd7EPfCDQrUpJvwEYjICVJlf-ZZWHIk3HuBMs4i6cw
The Ridge History Society
Moving on from Barwick to Waterman
By Carol Flynn
Every fall, the Ridge Historical Society (RHS) looks forward to participating in the Beverly Art Walk and Open House Chicago. These events offer wonderful opportunities to present new exhibits showcasing the fascinating history of Beverly and Morgan Park to much wider audiences.
This post is a last call for viewing the current exhibit, “Louise Barwick’s Lost Ridge,” and the sub-exhibit, “Lost and Found.”
This current exhibit focuses on life on the Ridge from 1893 to 1905 as seen through the watercolor paintings of Louise Barwick, an artist and educator who lived on the Ridge. Another component of the exhibit includes aerial photography of Beverly taken by cameras attached to kites in 1899. A third component features historic images of buildings in Morgan Park taken in 1889, some of which remain and some of which are gone.
The exhibit may be viewed on Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. This exhibit will be phased out after Tuesday, September 24.
The first part of a new exhibit on architect Harry Hale Waterman, titled “Harry Hale Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style,” will then begin with the Beverly Area Art Walk on Saturday, September 28th, from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Photographer and RHS Board member Mati Maldre will exhibit more than 20 photos he has taken of Beverly/Morgan Park buildings designed by Waterman.
Waterman (1869-1948) was a contemporary, indeed a good acquaintance, of Frank Lloyd Wright. But while Wright concentrated his work on the one style he became so well known for, the Prairie Style, Waterman designed in many different styles, putting his unique “spin” or interpretation on each. He designed dozens of houses and other buildings in Beverly and Morgan Park around 1900.
Mati Maldre is a retired Professor of Art/Photography from Chicago State University (CSU). He initiated the photography program and taught at CSU, as well as the Beverly Art Center for 35 years.
During this year’s Beverly Art Walk, Maldre will discuss the process of taking professional architectural photographs using his wooden Deardorff camera and demonstrate how view cameras operate and why they create such detailed and sharp photographs.
Also at RHS for the Beverly Art Walk on September 28 will be glass artist Sean Michael Felix, the owner of Illumination Art & Design in Humboldt Park.
Felix creates unique hand crafted architectural art glass, glass signs, and stained glass using 19th century techniques. For the Beverly Art Walk he will exhibit samples of his beautiful decorative work and demonstrate the nearly lost art of applying gold leaf to glass the way it was done by artisans in the Victorian Era.
RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Ave., in Chicago, and may be contacted at 773-881-1675 or ridgehistory@hotmail.com.
The complete Waterman exhibit will open in October in time for Open House Chicago on the weekend of October 19th and 20th.
Stay tuned to this page for an upcoming Facebook series on Waterman and his structures on the Ridge.
Friday, Oct. 11, 7:00 pm
Elmer Carlson and Richard Carlson, Architects, of Beverly: Two Local Modernists of Wider Impact
– Alfred Willis, PhD, Presenter
Elmer C. Carlson (1897-1956) was a Chicago architect of Swedish descent who settled in Beverly in the 1920s. Despite the depressed economic circumstances of the 1930s, he managed to prosper in that decade as a designer of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in southern Chicago and several of its suburbs. While an accomplished creator of 'period' designs of striking charm, he simultaneously evinced a fine flair for Modernism.
Working out of an ultramodern building on 95th Street, completed to his own design in 1946-47, he went on to even greater success after World War II as a prolific local architect of major projects sited both close to home and further afield. Elmer Carlson died in 1956 while developing a proposal for what should have been his greatest achievement in the residential sector, a villa in Robbins for the wealthy African-American entrepreneur S. B. Fuller.
Responsibility for refining the preliminary form of that interrupted project passed to his son, Richard E. Carlson (1930-2017) who had recently graduated in architecture form the University of Illinois and joined his father's Beverly practice. Thus making the most of a rare opportunity to begin his own career with what for his father (and mentor) had been the blank-check chance of a lifetime, Richard Carlson soon landed a wealthy clientele of his own that permitted a full display of his own unique taste and talent. His subsequent professional success unfolded first in Beverly but later in Colorado Springs.
About the Presenter: Alfred Willis, PhD is an architectural historian who grew up in Georgia. He was educated at Clemson University, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago. After retiring from a career in academic librarianship, he is now working as a consultant specializing in Modernism on nominations to the National Register. He is currently working as a contract librarian with the Historic Preservation Division of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/RHScarlson
Open House Chicago takes place this coming week-end, October 19 and 20.
As one of the featured locations, the Ridge Historical Society (RHS) will be open both days from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We are very excited about opening our new exhibit for this event: “Harry H. Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style.”
Waterman designed at least 40 buildings on the Ridge, including some well-known ones that go by popular names – the beloved “honeymoon cottage;” the “watchman’s residence” in Dan Ryan Woods; the “Walgreens’s mansion,” part of the Mercy Home for Girls; the “Beacon School;” and the “tombstone house.” All of these are covered in the exhibit.
This exhibit will focus on the contributions made by “the village architect,” as he was fondly known, as well as his personal life, and preservation of his work in the future. The exhibit will also look at some of his clients, like the Barker/Gregson and Pike families.
“Harry H. Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style” is curated by RHS Board member Tim Blackburn; with research and writing by Carol Flynn; architectural photography by Mati Maldre; research support by Linda Lamberty; and promotion by Grace Kuikman.
The exhibit will be up at least through the New Year. Admission is free.
RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Avenue. Regular open hours are Tuesday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment.
Look for the upcoming series about Waterman on the RHS Facebook page, written by Carol Flynn.
Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church in Morgan Park was part of Open House Chicago (OHC) this past week-end, prompting questions about its history. The researchers/writers of RHS have published articles on the history of all the local places participating in OHC at one time or another, and are always willing to share that information.
Here is information on Sacred Heart Church, one of the true gems of the community.
The Blue Island Ridge has its own “French connection.” There was an early group of settlers here, and their legacy to the community is the historic and charming Sacred Heart Church at 11652 S. Church Street.
Rich clay deposits on and around the Blue Island Ridge led to brick-making becoming an important local industry in the early 1900s, and the workers established their homes in the area. Sacred Heart was originally founded in Alsip in 1892. After an unfortunate fire, the church moved to its current location to be closer to the Purington Brick Yards at 119th and Vincennes, where many of the French people worked.
The current church was built in 1904-5 originally as a wooden frame church, built on posts in a swamp. The church was established as a “national church” which meant it would serve a particular nationality, not a defined geographic area.
The story goes that the workers were allowed to take “seconds” of bricks from the brick yard, those bricks that were burnt in the ovens and therefore couldn’t be sold, over to the frame church one or two at a time. By 1922, when enough bricks had been saved, the present brick facade was added. The church as it stands now is actually the old frame church clad with this donated brick.
Father Raymond DeNorus, a missionary priest born in France, became pastor in 1912. From all accounts, he was a very charismatic man. He loved a good time, yet he was a man deeply devoted to his faith. He dispensed medicine, holy water and blessings from his side door.
Numerous miracle cures were reported to have taken place over the years. Crutches, canes and braces left abandoned at the church were hung on the side walls. Services at the church drew large crowds and it became a place for pilgrimages.
During this time the church became known as the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, a shrine being a special place of devotion that attracts travelers from afar.
Fr. DeNorus retired in 1935. With time, most of the French families moved on and were replaced by German and Irish workers.
In 1979, the Archdiocese of Chicago under John Cardinal Cody decided to close and demolish Sacred Heart, citing as its main reasons a shortage of priests and the expense of construction needed to correct building code violations.
Members of the congregation and the greater community rallied to restore and preserve the church. “Save Our Shrine” became the rallying cry.
The church was stripped of all its possessions. The congregation held Mass out in the parking lot. Sacred Heart Church was closed from 1979-1982. It likely would have been demolished, but then Cardinal Cody died.
The new Archbishop, Joseph Bernardin, agreed to review the matter. He reopened the church and celebrated Mass there in 1983. The church was reestablished as a "mission church" operating as part of the Holy Name of Mary Parish in Morgan Park.
The people of Sacred Heart have maintained their church for an additional 40 years. The church was visited by the late Francis Cardinal George, who was so taken with the church he said he could consider living there when he retired.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus originated in France in the late 1600s when a nun, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, claimed that during a series of apparitions, Jesus promised certain blessings to those who practiced devotion to his Sacred Heart. The Vatican’s position is that the manifestation and promises are true. The name Sacred Heart was very fitting for a French mission church in Alsip/Morgan Park.
The new exhibit has opened at The Ridge Historical Society: "Harry Hale Waterman, Architect: Unique in Any Style."
The exhibit is open to the public for free on Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Waterman was born in Wisconsin in 1869, and came to Chicago as a young boy. He attended the Old University of Chicago and Northwestern University, and started his architecture career in the late 1880s. He worked in the architecture offices of Joseph Lyman Silsbee alongside his family friend Frank Lloyd Wright.
While Wright concentrated on developing his own style of architecture, Waterman worked in many different styles, putting his unique spin on each.
Waterman designed an estimated forty buildings in Beverly and Morgan Park, most of which are still standing today. Other buildings he designed in other Chicago neighborhoods have not fared as well.
This exhibit explores Waterman's work on the Ridge, and also takes a loot at some of his clients.
On Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 4 p.m., RHS will offer a program connected to the exhibit: "Waterman: From the White City to the Ridge."
In the first part of this program, Exhibit Curator Tim Blackburn will focus on Waterman's influences on the Columbian Exposition and his first employer, Joseph Lyman Silsbee.
Mati Maldre will discuss his architectural photos of thirty Waterman buildings, which were mostly taken in the mid-1980s with a Deardorff 4×5/5×7 view camera.
RHS Facebook Page Author Carol Flynn will then share stories from the lives of Waterman's early clients on the Ridge who made interesting impressions on the community in their day. This will be continued as a series on Facebook to complement the RHS exhibit.
Stay tuned to this page for details on registering for the program.
RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Avenue, Chicago.
Waterman: From the White City to the Ridge
Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 p.m.
Architect Harry Hale Waterman, who is the subject of our latest exhibit, was just 23 years old when he started to build some of his most memorable buildings on the Ridge. In the first part of this program, Exhibit Curator Tim Blackburn will focus on Waterman's influences of the Columbian Exposition and his first employer, Joseph Lyman Silsbee.
Mati Maldre will discuss his architectural photos of thirty Waterman buildings, which were mostly taken in the mid-1980s with a Deardorff 4×5/5×7 view camera.
RHS Facebook Page Author Carol Flynn will then share stories from the lives of Waterman's early clients on the Ridge who made interesting impressions on the community in their day. This will be continued as a series on Facebook to complement the RHS exhibit.
Attendees are encouraged to view the exhibit "Harry Hale Waterman: Unique in any Style", which will be open from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. before the program. The exhibit is also open Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., or by appointment, through at least spring 2024.
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/RHSwaterman
Or RSVP by phone 773.881.1675
SOLD OUT!!
We are completely booked for tomorrow's presentation – Sunday, December 8. We have so much great new info to share with everyone on Waterman's buildings and the people who called them home on the Ridge.
We'll likely do a second event in January – February. Plus I'll be doing a new series on Facebook built around the Waterman houses so watch this page. (I've been quiet lately while I prepared for this presentation but I'll be back this week.)
– Carol Flynn, RHS FB Administrator
Waterman: From the White City to the Ridge
Friday, March 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Repeating our popular presentation:
Architect Harry Hale Waterman, who is the subject of our latest exhibit, was just 23 years old when he started to build some of his most memorable buildings on the Ridge. In the first part of this program, Exhibit Curator Tim Blackburn will focus on Waterman's influences of the Columbian Exposition and his first employer, Joseph Lyman Silsbee.
Mati Maldre will discuss his architectural photos of thirty Waterman buildings, which were mostly taken in the mid-1980s with a Deardorff 4×5/5×7 view camera.
RHS Facebook Page Author Carol Flynn will then share stories from the lives of Waterman's early clients on the Ridge who made interesting impressions on the community in their day. This has been continued as a series on Facebook to complement the RHS exhibit.
Attendees are encouraged to view the exhibit "Harry Hale Waterman: Unique in any Style" after the program. The exhibit is also open Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., or by appointment, through at least May 2024.
Members: $10 | Non-members: $20 | Students under 18: $5
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/RHSwaterman1
RSVP: ridgehistory@hotmail.com 773.881.1675
How did a sex scandal connected to Beverly almost derail one of Chicago's most prominent families in the early 1900s?
What is the lasting effect the 1893 World's Fair had on Beverly's streetscape?
Learn the answers to these interesting questions at this Friday's program at the Ridge Historical Society.
This is a repeat of the sold-out program from last November, and it has three components: A look at Waterman's connections to the 1893 World's Fair; a review of the process for the photographs used in the exhibit; and stories about some of the people who lived in Waterman-designed houses on the Ridge.
Attendees will be able to view the exhibit "Harry Hale Waterman: Unique in any Style." The exhibit is also open Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., or by appointment, through at least May 2024.
Members: $10 | Non-members: $20 | Students under 18: $5
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/RHSwaterman1
RSVP: ridgehistory@hotmail.com 773.881.1675