Longwood Drive District

Address: 9800-11000 blocks of S. Longwood; 10200-10700 blocks of S. Seeley Year Built: 1873 - 1929 Architect: Various Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: November 13, 1981

Unique in the city for its hilly topography, this narrow, 12-block-long district is dominated by a natural ridgeline. Because it stood 50-80 feet above Lake Michigan and was often covered by a blue mist, the ridge was commonly referred to by early settlers as the "blue island." This community began as several separate suburban developments, which were annexed to Chicago around the turn of the last century. A rich mixture of architectural styles characterizes this district, ranging from the Italianate and Carpenter Gothic (of the 1870s) to Queen Anne and Shingle (1880s and '90s) to Prairie School and Renaissance Revival (early-20th century).