The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce attended the Program Committee's Commission on Chicago Landmark's meeting at 3pm on Wednesday June 5th, to present the criteria for which 7331 N. Sheridan Road meets the potential of Historical Landmark status in a three minute presentation.
Below are the criterion that are applicable to 7331 N. Sheridan Road:
Criteria 2. Significant Historic Event- According to the encyclopedic 1924 book by H.L. Meites, History of the Jews of Chicago, Temple Mizpah was actually organized in 1919 in Mr. Holsman’s home at 7331 N. Sheridan! The synagogue building on Morse was constructed in 1924 to accommodate the congregation of 350 families.
Mr. Holsman was also a director of the Marks Nathan Jewish Home for Orphans. The Marks Nathan Home opened in the Lawndale neighborhood in 1912 during the height of the immigration boom in America. At the beginning of the twentieth century in Chicago, many poor West Side Jewish immigrants fell on hard times, or even perished, and an orphanage was needed.
Criteria 3. Significant Person- Mr. Holsman was also a director of the Marks Nathan Jewish Home for Orphans. The Marks Nathan Home opened in the Lawndale neighborhood in 1912 during the height of the immigration boom in America. At the beginning of the twentieth century in Chicago, many poor West Side Jewish immigrants fell on hard times, or even perished, and an orphanage was needed.
Also according to Meites’ 1924 tome, a well-known lawyer by the name of Nicolas Pritzker was one of the founders and a longtime advocate for the Marks Nathan Home.
Criteria 6. Distinctive Theme- 7331 N. Sheridan Road is one of the few remaining mansions along Sheridan Road following a bungalow style.
The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce received signatures from the owners, employees, and residents frequenting the below list:
Morse Gyros
Grill Inn
Squiggley's Yarn Shop
J.B Alberto's
Leona's
Towbar
V-Tone
Morsel
The Glenwood
Quest Network Services
The Side Project
Potin Stil
Taste Food & Wine
Armadillo's Pillow
Giordanno's
Ice Cream Shop on Morse
Ciao Bella
Gruppo Di Amici
Earth Center
New to You Thrift Shop
Hair Salon at 6975 N. Sheridan Road
Shiva Beauty Salon
Chase Bank on Morse avenue
The Common Cup
Not once were businesses outside of Rogers Park approached. 156 people are in favor of landmark status.
we have come back from a successful event at 33 N. LaSalle. We received permission to video record our presentation and Don Gordon and Margaret Meiser spoke on behalf of 7331 N. Sheridan Road. Unfortunately, Ben messaged me informing me he had a change in plans and couldn't attend.
Interestingly Jonathan Fine from Preservation Chicago thinks this is an excellent idea and a great candidate for landmark status and has asked us to reach out to him, which we will do.
We spoke at 3:47pm for a little over 4 minutes and thirty seconds.
We anticipate a response on our efforts in two to three weeks.
