“The historic Esdohr House, one of the oldest remaining structures in Jefferson Park, has been restored and will host pop-ups next summer.
“The house at 4822 N. Long Ave., which is about 140 years old, has sat vacant in Jefferson Park’s namesake park for decades. The Jefferson Park Advisory Council has been working to revive the building for years, and council member Ashley Romero hopes to open a café inside.
“Over the summer, the Chicago Park District restored the building, repairing the facade, adding an ADA-accessible ramp, fresh roofing, new electric, new flooring, an ADA-accessible bathroom and a water line.
“The Esdohr House will be able to start hosting pop-up food stands next summer and will hopefully be home to Henry’s Cafe in 2026, advisory council president Lionel Rabb said.
“Council member Frank Suerth said neighbors have been trying to bring the building back to life for almost 20 years.
“‘I’ve been pushing to get this occupied and upgraded because if it falls into despair, they’ll bulldoze it,’ he said.
“The house belonged to Henry Esdohr, who was the area’s postmaster and treasurer of the first township school board in the state during the 19th century. Esdohr immigrated from Prussia with his brother when he was 14. He opened Jefferson Park’s first liquor store in 1874 and was later elected city clerk of the town of Jefferson, according to the Northwest Chicago Historical Society.
“The home originally was on Higgins Avenue where the fieldhouse now stands. In 1921, after Henry Esdohr died, his wife Kate Esdohr sold the home to the Chicago Park District and it was moved to its current location. The house was used as the park’s fieldhouse until the current one was built in 1930; it was also briefly used as the Jefferson Park Library, according to the historical society. (Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 12/9/24)