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Piece of Chicago History Available for Tour and Purchase

Only six homes on the North-side of Chicago survived the great Fire of 1871. Three exist to this day. As we prepare to mark the anniversary of that Fire, the public has a rare chance to tour and purchase the most famous of those homes, the Bellinger Cottage at 2121 N. Hudson Ave.



Designed by architect W.W. Boyington, who also designed Chicago'ss Old Water Tower - the lone commercial building to survive the Fire - the property is a supreme example of Italianate architecture and of the working-class cottages built at that time. The home is listed for $1.6 million.



The home is named after Patrolman Richard Bellinger who went to heroic efforts to save his home. Bellinger and his bride moved into their residence six months before the Fire. To save his property, Bellinger enlisted his brother-in-law who helped rake the yard free of leaves, dismantled a picket fence and a portion of his front steps, removed the wooden sidewalk, and doused his roof with water found from nearby ponds and with a barrel of cider stored in the basement each time a falling wind-blown ember sparked a roof-top fire. A plaque on the front of the home commemorates his efforts.



Bellinger Cottage is a significant home in Chicago'ss history, said Andrew Fisher, Director, Preservation Easement Program, Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois. The next owner would be eligible for a Federal income tax deduction in exchange for a written promise of perpetual preservation.



Today, Bellinger'ss Cottage is a beautifully updated single family home on an oversized Chicago lot. The home is in the Mid-North Historic District, but is not individually protected. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has designated 217 individual structures as Chicago landmarks. Bellinger'ss Cottage is not one of them.



The Fire began on the evening of Oct. 8, 1871. By morning, the Fire had spread to Chicago'ss commercial district, consuming all of what we now know as The Loop. By October 10th, the neighborhood of Lincoln Park was completely engulfed in flames, and by October 11th, the City'ss north side was completely destroyed. One-third of City residents were left without shelter, possessions, or jobs. The City'ss most valuable businesses and real estate were destroyed.



The current owner will consider all offers on the property on October 17. Home Tours will be held Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4pm.

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