32nd Annual House Walk: 100 Years of Chicago Bungalow History

The Annual House Walk is a Rogers Park/West Ridge tradition that supports our work year-round. The 2018 tour was held in the Talman-West Ridge Historic Bungalow District.

First developed in the post-World War I building boom, this neighborhood was home to iconic Chicago sports figures like Gabby Hartnett, star catcher for the Chicago Cubs from 1922 to 1940, and George “Papa Bear” Halas, whose children attended nearby Daniel Boone School. Their neighbors then and now, include a mix of residents from all walks of life in a community listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Homes on the tour featured a remarkable mix of intact original floors, stained glass, fireplaces and woodwork along with thoughtful renovations that keep these homes functioning for the modern world almost a century after they were built. Tour takers set their own pace on a self-guided tour where they learned about the history of the families who lived in each home, and had a chance to talk with current homeowners about the challenges and joys of bungalow living.

Watch for announcements of the 2019 House Walk, currently scheduled for September 8, 2019.