@chigeek.bsky.social

Architecture geek who also happens to be Louis Sullivan’s number one fan (he’s my dead architect boyfriend).

https://chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com/

A photographic reminder from when I lived in Chicago’s Lincoln Park in the early 2000s. Notice the "First German Hungarian Bakery" sign. These buildings were demolished shortly after I took this photo. I believe they were located at Lakewood & Dickens or somewhere nearby.
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The McMansions of South Barrington. As quoted in the Chicago Tribune, South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie said her residents chose to live in the village for “the way it looks and feels.” Yeah, I guess if they want to feel hot because they’re living in hell.
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/12/jb-pritzker-housing-plan-looser-zoning/
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I have also never been friends with Jeff Epstein, the New York financier with the island I have never been to. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Like a miracle, in the land of McMansions, you find the only decent home in South Barrington. You can talk shit about your neighbors’ dumb houses in the conversation pit! I never expected a design by a Mies student (Peter Roesch) to exist in this godawful suburb.

www.redfin.com/IL/South-Barrington/66-Watergate-Dr-60010/home/13902736
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He also really loved dogs. So I think I got that from him. Here’s to Stosh!
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I was raised by a single mom so my grandpa was the closest I ever had to a father figure when I was a kid. Thinking of him today on his birthday.
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My grandmother’s cousin Florence and her brother Eddie posing near the house in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin around 1942. Wow the city looks really dirty & gross! Also excuse me where are the sidewalks?
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My great-grandfather’s two-flat at 2147 N. Latrobe. He lived to be 90. When I was a kid I remember being creeped out by the guy who lived upstairs, and also being bored because my Polish grandfather didn’t speak English, except for “Two dollars” & “Chicago Cubs.” My family sold it for $36K in 1987.
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What did you learn in school today, dear little boy of mine?

I learned our Government must be strong, it’s always right and never wrong
Our leaders are the finest men and we elect them again and again
And that's what I learned in school today
That's what I learned in school.
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Timeline Cleanse: Easter Puppy Edition 🐣 🐶 🐰
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The Easter Bunny and I at the Harlem Irving Plaza Mall aka “The HIP,” with an expression on my face that says “WTF? Why am I hugging a freaking bunny!?!”
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As someone who works on the next block, I’m always interested in seeing “before and afters” of the neighborhood. This historic image of the 1400 block of North Lake Shore was taken by Charles R. Clark in 1905. We have stone mansions owned by Ogden, MacVeagh, and Armour.
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Sorry it’s impossible. We just can’t cancel the $1.5 trillion in federal student loan debt. But $1.5 trillion for the defense budget? Sure. Here you go!

www.npr.org/2026/04/03/nx-s1-5772701/trump-budget-defense-spending
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I was researching something else but came across these two photos: on the left is Philip Maher's architectural office at 157 East Erie & on the right is his father, George W. Maher, standing in his own office inside Burnham & Root's Insurance Exchange at 218 S. LaSalle. We need a book about them!
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Instead of a ballroom, the White House should just construct a bungalow "pop top." Or better yet, just add an entire Chicago style bungalow to the top of the building. Here are some "pop tops" for those who need a refresher.
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I’ve only ever seen one episode of Star Trek in my life, and it was during a Humanities class where the teacher showed us different ways racism has been portrayed in the media. I remember how my friend Kim, who absolutely hated school, ended up loving the class.
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“Super Callous Fragile Racist Sexist Nazi POTUS”
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Well, at least in Illinois. The federal government...not so much.
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Happy 10th Anniversary to when IL Governor/Venture Capitalist Bruce Rauner furloughed Easter. We've come a long way, folks.
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Happy 140th Birthday to Mies van der Rohe!
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For my birthday on Saturday, I hope everyone shows up for the “No Kings 3” rallies. I have to work but hope I can attend if I finish early enough. My aunt asked me what’s the point? Because we can. Don’t comply. Show the world that Americans don’t want this.
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In case you’re wondering, the owners take the shutters off during the winter apparently. The pine floors are original and were from Gary’s Mill. You can see more interior pics here:

jessecwheatonhomerenovation.blogspot.com/?m=1
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Before & After: With busy Roosevelt Rd/Route 38 directly behind it, this Federal Style residence was built in the 1840s for Jesse Wheaton, who founded the town named after him along w/his brother Warren & friend Erastus Gary. The house was kept in the family until it sold for the first time in 2010.
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Abandoned baby shoe, slightly worn.
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Has anyone else noticed that no one seems to know how to park anymore? It’s either someone struggling to fit their giant vehicle into a space or someone else spending 10 mins attempting to parallel park. Also, what’s with everyone just sitting in their cars all the time? Jerry Seinfeld rant over.
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The dogs and I sat outside all day today. Highly recommend it!
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Raja finally concedes. I guess dreams do come true, but what a waste of money. $30 million!?! And he has the audacity to say he is against wealthy interests.

It’s a shame that the race for IL-08 to replace Raja will likely be won by a centrist just like him (Bean) instead of a progressive (Ahmed).
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I think this home at 5834 W. Addison in Portage Park was likely built for George Herron, but I’d be interested in what @dmercer.bsky.social finds! It was designed by the Grotz-Waegelin Company in 1928. Architect Charles J. Grotz designed several homes in Logan Square & lived at 3514 W. Wrightwood.
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Super excited to NOT vote for Raja today. Just call him loser.
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I really need this “Shitty Weather” t-shirt. Maybe a possible birthday present to myself? Although I was born in March, I will always be a March hater. This month’s weather has been increasingly shitty and I don’t know how much more I can take!?!
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