Henry B. Clarke House facts for kids
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Clarke-Ford House
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In March 2022
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| Location | 1827 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago, Illinois, United States |
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| Built | circa 1836 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000290 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 1971 |
The Clarke-Ford House is a very old home in Chicago. It was built in the Greek Revival style. Today, it is a house museum you can visit. It was built around 1836. Many people believe it is the oldest house still standing in Chicago.
Henry Brown Clarke moved to Chicago in 1833. He came from New York with his wife, Caroline Palmer Clarke, and their family. Henry sold hardware and building materials. His company, King, Jones and Company, helped Chicago grow. A local builder named John Rye likely built the house. He later married the Clarkes' housemaid, Betsy.
The house was first built near Michigan Avenue. It has been moved two times. The most recent move was in 1977. It is now on Indiana Avenue, close to its original spot. In the mid-1900s, a church and its leader, Bishop Louis Henry Ford, took care of the house. Bishop Ford and his wife, Margaret, helped save it as Chicago's oldest home. The house is now in a park with gardens. It is part of the Prairie Avenue Historic District.
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Chicago's Oldest House
The Clarke-Ford House might have been designed like the home of William B. Ogden. It is known as the oldest house still standing in Chicago. Another old house, the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, has parts built in 1833. However, that house is in Norwood Park. Norwood Park did not become part of Chicago until 1893.
The Clarke-Ford House was named a Chicago Landmark on October 14, 1970. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 6, 1971.
The house was first built on a large piece of land. This land was near Michigan Avenue. Henry Clarke chose to build south of the Chicago River. This made him the first wealthy Chicagoan to build there. Clarke faced money problems during the Panic of 1837. He used his land for farming and hunting. These problems caused a delay in finishing some rooms in his house.
The Widow Clarke's Home
Henry Clarke died in 1849 from a sickness called cholera. His wife, Caroline Palmer Clarke, lived until 1860. During this time, the house was known as the "Widow Clarke's House." After Henry died, Caroline sold most of their land. She kept only a small part of it. She used this money to support her family. She also used it to fix up her house.
Caroline added a fancy back porch with columns. It looked like the front porch. This new porch faced the newly lit Michigan Avenue. At the same time, she added a small tower on the roof. She also decorated her dining room and front living room. These rooms had not been finished because of their money problems.
In 1871, John Chrimes bought the house. He was a well-known tailor in Chicago. He moved the house farther south. It went to 45th Street and Wabash Avenue. This area was then called Hyde Park. When the house was being moved, workers found a packet of papers. Henry Clarke had buried them when he built the house. The packet had old tax papers and newspapers. It also had a note from Henry Clarke. The note said he was a strong supporter of the Democratic party.
In the 1900s, the St. Paul Church of God in Christ owned the building. The Clarke House became the home and community hall for the church. Bishop Louis Henry Ford lived and worked there. He is the person for whom the Bishop Ford Freeway was later named. Bishop Ford worked hard to save and repair the house. He also helped the city learn about its history.
Moving the House Again
In 1977, the City of Chicago bought the house. They moved it to where it is now. This big project included lifting the whole building. It had to go over the L tracks! It was a very cold December night. The equipment used to lift the house froze. For two weeks, the house sat next to the L tracks. Then, it was finally moved to its current home at 1827 S. Indiana.
A New Name for the House
People became very interested in how the house was saved. The St. Paul Church of God in Christ wanted to honor Bishop Louis Henry Ford. Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford, Bishop Ford's grandson, led this effort.
The Chicago City Council agreed to rename the house. On November 18, 2022, it became the Henry B. and Caroline Clarke/Bishop Louis Henry and Margaret Ford House. This new name recognizes the important roles of Carolyn Clarke, Bishop Louis Henry, and Margaret Ford in preserving the house.
Clarke-Ford House Museum
The Clarke-Ford House Museum is a historic house museum. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events runs it. They work with The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Illinois. This group provides the old-fashioned furniture for the house.
