The Prairie School...uh, School
(photos by Lee Bey)
Chicago has a legacy of well-designed early 20th century schools. But there is none finer than Dwight Perkins masterpiece, Carl Schurz High School, 3601 N. Milwaukee. The Encyclopedia of Chicago has an entry on the school and some of its contemporaries. The city's Landmarks Division talks about the school as well. Meanwhile, take a gander:
I really wanted to spend some time photographing that great main entry, but the front of the school is gated off on weekends. So the above photo is as close as I could get. Anyway, Perkins was born 141 years ago this month (the anniversary of his birth is March 26.) He's connected to two other luminaries in architecture. His son, Lawrence Perkins (with Eero and Eliel Saarinen) designed the architecturally-influential Crow Island School in Winnetka IL, and founded the architecture firm Perkins & Will. Dwight Perkins' niece (and Lawrence Perkins' cousin) was architect Marion Mahony Griffin, a key member of Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and wife of architect Walter Burley Griffin.
Comments
Hey Lee,
This building is so striking, it's hard to pass by without stopping. And can be easily spotted by plane when flying over the city. You know, it has a twin on the southeast side - Bowen HS.
BTW, in my view, everything in this design points to Hugh Garden as the "ghost" architect.
On some days this is my favorite too. On other days days, I will debate you and tout Braeside School in Highland Park as the most outstanding Prairie School school.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23326338@N04/sets/72157603949643120/
Posted by: marty hackl![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://leebey.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
March 17, 2008 09:34 AM
I started to mention Bowen, too. Thanks for reminding me. And I'll have to take a look at Braeside!
Posted by: urbanobserver![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://leebey.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
March 17, 2008 11:28 AM
I love Schurz High, too, and even though Crow Island gets a lot of attention in this category, I think Braeside is really the great undiscovered gem.
Posted by: phil![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://leebey.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
March 31, 2008 07:05 PM