Hampton House (Chicago) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hampton House |
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(October 2006)
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Architectural style | beaux-arts/historism |
| Address | 5300 South Shore Drive |
| Construction started | 1917 |
| Completed | 1918 |
| Height | 155.35 ft |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 12 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Newhouse & Bernham |
The Hampton House is a large apartment building in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It used to be a hotel called the Sisson Hotel when it was built in 1918. This building stands on land where another famous hotel, the Hyde Park House, once stood.
Contents
A Look Back: The First Hotel (Mid-1800s)
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The story of this land begins with Paul Cornell. He was a smart lawyer and businessman. In the 1850s, he bought a lot of land near Lake Michigan in what is now Hyde Park.
He chose this spot because it was close to the Illinois Central Railroad. Cornell helped get a train station built there in 1856. He then divided the land into smaller plots to sell.
He also built a hotel called The Hyde Park House. This hotel was meant to attract travelers to his new suburb. It was a popular place for people to visit, especially after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Many people wanted to escape the damaged city.
The Hyde Park House was a four-story building. It was a favorite summer spot for wealthy visitors. Even Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, stayed there. Prince Albert Edward, who later became King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, also visited in 1860.
This hotel became the center of social life in Hyde Park. It helped the town grow, bringing in money and jobs. Within ten years, Hyde Park had over 1,000 residents. Sadly, the Hyde Park House hotel burned down in 1879.
The Sisson Hotel (Early 1900s)
In 1918, a new hotel was built on the same spot. It was named the Sisson Hotel. This building was one of the first tall buildings on the South Side of Chicago.
When it was built, the Sisson Hotel was right next to Lake Michigan. Later, new land was added to the shoreline. This new land eventually made way for Lake Shore Drive.
In 1923, the owner of the Sisson Hotel, Harry W. Sisson, faced some problems. He was linked to a group that caused controversy. This led to many people, including Catholics and Jews, choosing not to stay at the hotel.
Changing Names and Times (Mid-1900s)
The Sisson Hotel later changed its name to Hotel Sherry. During the time of popular "Big Band" music, the Hotel Sherry hosted famous musicians like Duke Ellington. It was also a popular place for weddings and for baseball teams visiting Chicago to play the Chicago White Sox.
By the 1970s, the Hotel Sherry changed again. It became the Sherry Apartments, offering long-term rentals instead of short hotel stays.
Hampton House Today (Recent History)
In 1979, the building was changed into the Hampton House Condominium. This means that instead of renting, people could buy their own apartments in the building.
A very important person, Harold Washington, lived here. He was an Illinois Congressman and later became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago.
The Hampton House is a brick building with 12 floors. The ground floor has a mix of uses, and the other 11 floors are all homes. Many large hotels in Hyde Park were turned into condominiums around this time. This change meant there were fewer fancy hotels on the South Side of Chicago for a while. However, new hotels are now being built in the area.
Images for kids
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Hampton House Harold Washington Marker (front)
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Hampton House Harold Washington Marker (back)
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Hampton House from Lake Shore Drive 53rd Street Exit
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Hampton House and south end of Harold Washington Park
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Hampton House from center of Harold Washington Park
