Why Chicago’s Largest Mansion Was Demolished (The Palmer Mansion)
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- Опубликовано: 27 июн 2024
- Crafted with a fusion of European flair and American ingenuity, the Palmer Mansion was a monument to luxury and a reflection of the city's burgeoning cultural and economic power - and its sprawling spaces and intricate designs epitomized the wealth and aspirations of a city on the rise.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:34 Chapter 1: Inside The Palmer Family
5:58 Chapter 2: Building The Palmer Mansion
10:32 Chapter 3: The Peak of The Palmer Mansion
12:51 Chapter 4: The Decline of The Palmer Mansion
15:25 Chapter 5: The Demolition and Legacy of The Palmer Mansion
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Delve into the architectural heart of Chicago during its Gilded Age in this episode, where we explore the grandeur and demise of the Palmer Mansion, a beacon of luxury and a symbol of the city's burgeoning power. This tale is not merely about bricks and mortar; it's a narrative woven through the fabric of Chicago's history, reflecting the city's evolution from a burgeoning metropolis to a modern urban landscape.
We commence our journey with Potter Palmer, the visionary behind the Palmer Mansion. An Albany County native, Palmer moved to Chicago and revolutionized retail with his unique focus on women's shopping experiences. His store, "Palmer's Palace," became a hallmark of retail innovation, introducing concepts like large window displays and a money-back guarantee. This groundbreaking approach extended beyond retail, influencing industry standards in customer service and marketing.
Palmer's ventures weren't confined to retail alone. His real estate investments, particularly post the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, significantly shaped State Street, transforming it into a bustling commercial hub. His marriage to Bertha Honoré in 1870 further elevated his social status, with their union marking a significant event in Chicago's social history.
The construction of the Palmer Mansion began in 1881 under the architectural direction of Henry Ives Cobb. This ambitious project, completed in 1885, was a showcase of luxury and sophistication, featuring exotic marbles, rare woods, and a state-of-the-art heating system. The mansion not only served as a palatial residence but also housed Palmer's growing art collection, becoming a cultural landmark in its own right.
The mansion's opulence was unmatched, hosting grand social events that attracted the city's elite. As a cultural hub, it played a pivotal role in shaping Chicago's societal norms and trends. The 1893 World's Fair further elevated its significance, as it hosted guests from around the globe.
However, the turn of the century brought changes. Following Potter Palmer's death in 1902, the mansion began to lose its central role in the family and the city's social life. The changing social dynamics of the 1920s and the urban development around its neighborhood marked the beginning of its decline.
In 1950, a momentous decision was made: the Palmer Mansion was to be demolished. This decision, driven by economic and urban development pressures, was a significant moment in Chicago's history. The demolition was met with public outcry and controversy, symbolizing a loss of the city's architectural heritage. Though the mansion was replaced by modern apartment buildings, its legacy lives on through preserved artifacts and memories, reminding us of the constant evolution of urban landscapes and the importance of preserving our architectural past.
Join us in this episode as we unravel the entire history of the Palmer Mansion, once Chicago’s largest home, and reflect on its legacy-a story that illustrates the delicate balance between preservation and progress in the ever-changing urban tapestry.
Thank you. As a youth in Chicago, I had always heard of the opulence of the Palmer mansion, and loved just visiting the Palmer House Hotel, where I understand Lucille Ball got her start as a chorus girl. Another story, that the Queen of Bulgaria (?) halted her trip to Chicago from New York, saying she refused to be hosted by the wife of an innkeeper. Her loss. I'd also recommend a visit to Graceland Cemetery in Chicago to see some incredible marvels, including the Palmer tomb, Lorado Taft sculpture, Cyrus McCormick's monument, of cotton gin fame; the young Goodman monument with pond, as he loved sailing; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe burial site, and so many more who made Chicago what it is today. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before, and built the legacies we inherited.
I stayed at the Palmer House Hotel several times many years ago when I was on business. The atrium caught my eye when I first stayed there as a young man. I did not, however, know the story of Mr. Palmer and his wife. Thank you for this excellent information and presentation.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I just hope when these wonderful old holmes were destroyed that the interiors were stripped of their ornate carved panels, fireplace mantles, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows etc. so much "art" is lost when a home like this is razed!!!
I normally love this era, but i may be wrong thinking this exterior isn't the best of that time. Maybe not a total loss?!😂😮
What a shame!! Buildings in Europe can be hundreds of years old still respected and loved. We Americans think that anything older than 40 to 50 years old needs to be replaced with something new, better. I think it is shameful to have lost so many wonderful homes, buildings all in the name of progress. 😢
There are several mansions that were in Minneapolis, Minnesota with amazing stories that people may enjoy hearing. The Gates mansion, Dunwoody mansion, Fairoaks mansion to name a few.
LOL. You're trying to compare a small city like Mpls with a population of only 400,000 with Chicago?
The incredible gothic Hopkins Mansion, San Francisco.
The Mellon house now Mellon Park in Pittsburgh, PA
COMMENT: Which legendary “lost” mansion in the United States would you like us to cover next?
How about wealthy homes in Pennsylvania?
Hoe about u make a utube about it... don't wait for somebody else
Mansions are demolished because the heirs don't want the cost and nobody remembers the person who owned it anyway.
What a shame it was not saved. They don't make them like that anymore. As a kid I knew one of the Palmers. I just knew him as Potter.
1350 N LSD. Across the street from Oak St Beach.
I do pass by the Pullman Mantion 605 e 111 st. The owners bought it for 80k in 2011..
The O'Leary Mansion was for sale for under $500,000 not too long ago it's located at Halsted and 55th Street or Garfield Boulevard whatever you want to call it but that strip mall I guess took all their property
It’s like destroying a precious piece of artwork, like the Mona Lisa, and then they replace it with some square rectangular utilitarian piece of junk
Yes it's like calling Hunters blow art is good
@@emmajohnson6955 exactly like that?
Moral of the story - don't build in the path of progress.
That was a crime to do that, they couldn’t build around it ? Oh and all they saved is a 6’x2.5’ railing ? All that imported wood and marble/granite and gold covered crown molding ? but boy we got a railing 🤦♂️
It's the greed in the western world. And the social climbing that was standard at that time. Taste was questionable and homes were competitive,. To keep on climbing, old was replaced by new. The new need not be better it just had to cost more money. The greed continues to grow, people a tally spend hundreds of million dollars on one house? And some have five or six houses while prices have been going steadily up and people new to the rental or real estate market are left 😢😢 standing next to their tents.
The Swedish Institute (Swan Turnblad Mansion) in South Minneapolis is easily a more handsome castle than the Palmer Mansion. Just my opinion.
LOL. Mpls has a population of 400,000 and you're trying to equate it with Chicago?
Good riddance to this visual eyesore !!