Compton, Arthur H., House
Why it's listed
This two-and-one-half-story brick house at 5637 Woodlawn Avenue in Chicago, near the University of Chicago, was built in 1916 by a Mr. Tetter. It is described as ordinary American domestic architecture with no recognizable style, and it has a central hall plan, a large living room, a dining room and kitchen, three second-floor bedrooms and two attic bedrooms. Its importance comes from its occupant. Physicist Arthur Holly Compton lived here from the late 1920s until he left for St. Louis in 1945. During those years he announced the Compton effect, which showed that X-rays and gamma rays scatter in a way revealing both wave and particle behavior, and for which he received the 1927 Nobel Prize in physics. He also studied cosmic rays and directed the Metallurgical Project of the Manhattan Engineering District. The house has undergone no significant alterations since construction and remains a private residence.
Significance in brief: It was the principal Chicago home of physicist Arthur Holly Compton from the late 1920s until 1945. During his Chicago years he announced the Compton effect, researched X-ray scattering and cosmic rays, and helped lead the Manhattan Project's Metallurgical Project. The form says the building itself is not architecturally important.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76000687, listed May 11, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5637 Woodlawn Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | May 11, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000687 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | late 1920's to 1945 |
| Architect / builder | Mr. Tetter |
| Architectural style | American domestic architecture of the period; follows no immediately recognizable architectural style |
| Areas of significance | Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 11, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition, unaltered and on its original site; the form states no significant alterations since construction. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.79202, -87.59634 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76000687.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4798930
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.