Pick, George, House
Why it's listed
Set on a rolling ravine site on the west side of Sheridan Road in Highland Park, this three-story brick and stucco house was designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw and built before 1916. The east front features an arcaded entryway and a twin gable with a curved bargeboard, while the rear has large windows and symmetrical two-story porch wings. Above the french doors, niches hold a series of carved limestone heroic birds. The trim is painted in the same "Ragdale" green Shaw used at his own house. The design mixes Italian villa, English manor, Byzantine temple and Bavarian inn influences, and it is described as one of Shaw's most fanciful works. A 1917 Architectural Record article noted its simple design, attention to detail and choice of material. Interior changes were made around 1955-60, the coach house was demolished in 1981, and later subdivision of the property has left the rear sculpture hard to see from the street. It remains a private home.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as one of Shaw's most fanciful works, an eclectic design drawing on Italian villas, English manors, Byzantine temples and Bavarian inns. It highlights the detailing, especially the carved limestone heroic birds in niches above the rear french doors. It also cites a 1917 Architectural Record description praising its simple design, attention to detail and choice of material.
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 82002574, listed September 29, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 970 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | September 29, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002574 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Howard Van Doren Shaw |
| Architectural style | Eclectic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated good; altered, with many interior changes circa 1955-60 and sliding glass doors at the rear probably replacing french doors. Still a private residence. The coach house was demolished in July 1981. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 42.16960, -87.77343 (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 82002574.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q85763155
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.