Lathrop, Julia C., Homes
Also known as: Lathrop Homes
Why it's listed
Lathrop Homes is a federally supported public housing complex on a 35-acre strip beside the North Branch of the Chicago River on Chicago's north side. Built in 1935-1938 under the Housing Division of the Public Works Administration, it was designed by a team headed by architect Robert DeGoyler, with landscape architect Jens Jensen shaping the road layout and planting. Thirty-one original buildings, mostly two- to five-story brick-veneered apartment blocks and row houses, face the streets and enclose quiet rear courtyards and lawns for residents. Brick colonnades link buildings and lead into the interior open spaces. The plan follows Clarence Stein and Henry Wright's ideas about limiting traffic and creating safe play areas. The site is considered important both nationally and within Chicago for its site plan and its traditional, ornamented buildings. A 1959 senior building and a 1960 recreation center were added later and do not contribute to the historic character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Lathrop Homes is among the most significant early federal public housing projects nationally and the most important surviving one of that phase in Chicago. It follows the community planning principles of Clarence Stein and Henry Wright, with buildings that define traffic-free interior green spaces. It also has a site plan by landscape architect Jens Jensen and traditional design details with a high level of ornament.
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 12000025, listed February 21, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Bounded by Clyburn, & N. Damen Aves., N. Leavitt St., & Chicago R., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | February 21, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000025 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Robert DeGoyler (architect, leading a team of Chicago architects and engineers); Jens Jensen (landscape architect); Housing Division of the Public Works Administration |
| Architectural style | Moderne; Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Buildings retain historic integrity despite window replacement, deteriorated exterior wood and altered cornices and finials. The form lists current functions as multiple dwelling, with 'Vacant' also appearing among the function entries. |
| Acreage | 35.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.93601, -87.68081 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 12000025.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6306255
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.