Portage Park
Also known as: Park #147
Why it's listed
Portage Park is a 36.52-acre neighborhood park on Chicago's northwest side, created after residents of a fast-growing, working- to middle-class area lobbied for it. The Old Portage Park District acquired the land in 1913, and American Park Builders, a firm founded by landscape architect Myron H. West, drew the 1912 plan with tree-lined allees, sunken lawns, a central athletic field and a lagoon. Architect Clarence Hatzfeld designed the 1922 Prairie School fieldhouse and the 1928 gymnasium, both of brick with limestone trim and green tile roofs. In 1936 Works Progress Administration crews added limestone entry gates, display fountains and a pergola. Although some plantings and features have been lost or altered, the original paths, buildings, gateways and fountain basins remain. The district counts thirteen contributing resources, and the park continues to serve recreation needs much as its planners intended.
Significance in brief: The park is argued to be significant in social history, entertainment/recreation, landscape architecture and architecture. It was created through neighborhood lobbying by the Old Portage Park District and designed by American Park Builders in 1912. Its Prairie School fieldhouse and gymnasium by Clarence Hatzfeld and its 1936 WPA limestone work retain a high degree of integrity.
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 95000484, listed April 20, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4100 N. Long Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | April 20, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000484 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Clarence Hatzfeld (fieldhouse and gymnasium); American Park Builders, Inc. (landscape plan, 1912); WPA (1936 stonework) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements/Prairie School |
| Areas of significance | Social History, Entertainment/Recreation, Landscape Architecture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a park and outdoor recreation area; the fieldhouse and gymnasium are described as well maintained, while the comfort station and pool pergola are in fair condition with roof deterioration. |
| Acreage | 36.5 |
| Within district | Portage Park Bungalow Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.95509, -87.76449 (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 95000484.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7231429
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.