“State Senator Willie Preston joined the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, Beverly Area Arts Alliance and Commissioner Stanley Moore Saturday to announce significant state funding secured by Preston to save, renovate and reinvigorate the Pike House.
“‘This investment not only honors the rich history of our community, but also ensures future generations will have the opportunity to connect with and learn from this important landmark,’ said Preston. ‘I am incredibly grateful to have been able to secure this generous funding to preserve our heritage.’
“Preston announced he has secured $1.5 million in state funding to save the historic Pike House.
“The announcement comes after years of advocacy and discussions on how and why Pike House should be restored and preserved. Groups such as the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, the Beverly Arts Alliance and other far south side historical and preservation organizations have worked for years to garner attention and support to the cause.
“‘Thanks to support from Senator Preston and Commissioner Moore, what looked like an impossible dream to save the Eugene S. Pike House from demolition now looks like a dream come true,’ said Grace Kuikman, president of the Pike House Foundation. ‘Our foundation and our community could not be more grateful for this support, or more excited to have these two exceptional leaders as our partners.’ (Senator Willie Preston Press Release, 9/30/24)
“The Eugene S. Pike House built in 1894 is a historic home designed by Harry Hale Waterman. It is located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago at 1826 W. 91st Street in Chicago. This picturesque home is nestled at the southern edge of the Dan Ryan Woods in Beverly, very near the 91st Street Rock Island Metra train station and facing a beautiful residential area. The home has been vacant since 2015 and is deteriorating. It is in the Ridge Historic District, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The Pike House is owned by and on land that is part of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPCC). Currently, FPCC needs to find an outside user who can occupy and invest in the property through a licensing agreement. The FPCC issued a Request for Expressions of Interest on April 28, 2023. (Pike House Website)
Preservation Chicago is thrilled the Pike House will be saved, restored, and reused. We worked closely with local stakeholders including The Ridge Historical Society and Beverly Area Planning Association, elected officials, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to help move this
project forward.
Read more at:
- Preston announces $1.5 million to save Pike House, Senator Willie Preston Press Release, 9/30/24
- Can Beverly’s Pike House Be Saved? Arts Alliance Aims To Turn Historical Site Into Headquarters; The late-19th century home has been vacant for years. The Beverly Area Arts Alliance is working with Pike House Foundation to find money for renovation and turn the building into the arts group’s home base, Tim Moran, Block Club Chicago, 6/7/23