Auburn Gresham Bungalow Historic District

Brick bungalows dominate this residential district in Chicago's Auburn Gresham Community Area, roughly nine miles from the city center. Bounded by Paulina Street, 78th Street, Winchester Avenue and 75th Street, it holds 324 primary structures, including 264 Chicago bungalows, several brick two-flats and apartment buildings, and one elementary school. Most were built between 1918 and 1932, with construction peaking in 1926-1927 before the Great Depression ended the building boom. Dozens of architects worked here, among them William E. Sammons, who designed more than 50 buildings, and A. J. Lind. Low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, grouped windows, decorative brickwork and limestone trim give the streets a uniform scale. Of the primary buildings, 261 contribute to the district's character, along with 18 original brick garages. Later houses and heavily altered buildings do not contribute. The district was recognized as a well-preserved example of the bungalow neighborhoods that sheltered Chicago's growing middle class and immigrant households.