Wells-Barnett, Ida B., House
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Why it's listed
This three-story residence at 3624 S. Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago, originally on Grand Boulevard, was built around 1889-90. Measuring about 28 by 60 feet, it has brick construction with a rock-faced granite front, heavy arched entry and windows, paired colonettes on the porch, and a two-story bay that reflects Queen Anne taste within a mainly Romanesque Revival design. It originally held 14 rooms, and the third floor was designed as a ballroom. Ida B. Wells-Barnett moved her family here in 1919 and raised four children in the house until 1929. Born a slave in Mississippi in 1862, she became a journalist who documented lynchings, published A Red Record in 1895, lectured in Britain, and helped organize the NAACP. She also founded the Alpha Suffrage Club and the Negro Fellowship League. The exterior remains largely original, though the interior has been divided for three families.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a pioneering investigative journalist and activist who exposed lynching and campaigned for racial justice. It also notes the house as a good example of Romanesque Revival style with Queen Anne influence.
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 74000757, listed May 30, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3624 S. Martin Luther King Dr., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | May 30, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000757 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival with Queen Anne influence |
| Areas of significance | Black, Politics/Government, Communications, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 30, 1974 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior described as original and in very good condition; interior altered to house three separate families, with the third-floor ballroom converted to an apartment. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.82975, -87.61756 (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 74000757.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q980654
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.