The Race House: A Glimpse into Chicago's Past

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Step back in time at The Race House, a landmark Italianate home in Chicago's Old Irving Park, reflecting the neighborhood's origins and architectural heritage.

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The Race House

The Race House, an Italianate-style home in Chicago's Old Irving Park, stands as a testament to the area's origins. Built in 1874 for Stephen A. Race, a founder of Irving Park, it's a rare surviving example of the grand residences that once lined Irving Park Boulevard.

A brief summary to The Race House

3945 N Tripp Ave, Chicago, Old Irving Park, Illinois, 60641, US

Local tips

Explore the Old Irving Park neighborhood to appreciate the variety of architectural styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Check out the Old Irving Park Association website for more information on the neighborhood's history and events.
Visit Independence Park, one of the area's largest parks, established in 1910.

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Getting There

Public Transport

From downtown Chicago, take the CTA Blue Line towards O'Hare. Exit at the Irving Park station. From there, walk west on Irving Park Road, then turn north onto Tripp Avenue. The Race House will be on your right. A single fare on the CTA is $2.50.
Walking

If you are already in the Old Irving Park neighborhood, walking to the Race House is a great option. Use Tripp Avenue to orient yourself. The house is located at 3945 N Tripp Ave.
Ride Share

From a central location like Six Corners, a ride-share to The Race House will typically cost between $15 and $25, depending on demand and traffic.

Discover more about The Race House

The Race House, located at 3945 N Tripp Avenue in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood, offers a glimpse into the area's rich history. Built between 1873 and 1874 for Stephen A. Race, whose family was instrumental in founding Irving Park, the house is a rare example of a red brick Italianate-style structure that has largely maintained its architectural integrity.The house's design, inspired by Tuscan villas, features a symmetrical shape, a flat roof, and large, paired eave brackets. Originally located on Irving Park Boulevard, a former Indigenous trail, the Race House exemplified the grand residences that characterized the area in the mid-to-late 19th century when Irving Park served as a suburban retreat.Designated a Chicago Landmark on September 22, 1988, the Race House stands as a reminder of Irving Park's early development prior to its annexation to Chicago in 1889. Although the architect remains unknown, the Race House's enduring presence connects visitors to the neighborhood's founding family and architectural heritage.