Step Inside The Historic Chicago Home That Survived The 1871 Fire

Chicago home buyers can now own a piece of the city's history, as one of just three houses in the North Side to survive the Great Fire of 1871 has been listed for $2.39 million, according to New York Post.

Located at 2121 North Hudson Street, the historic home was able to survive the unprecedented fire that killed over 300 people and destroyed a third of the city due to a little help from the original owner, Chicago policeman Richard Bellinger. According to The Great Chicago Fire, Bellinger soaked the house with water to prevent it from catching fire and, when that ran out, utilized his stock of cider. Assisted by his brother-in-law, Bellinger removed all the dead leaves from the lawn, demolished the wooden fence and sidewalk that were near the home, and snuffed all the sparks he could as soon as they landed. Through his efforts, the house survived the blaze in an area where virtually all other buildings did not.

Although the 1869 home has been renovated since construction, it still maintains much of its original charm. Designed by the famous W.W. Boyington, architect of the Chicago courthouse, and the Water Tower, the home has solidified its reputation as both a historically and architecturally significant Chicago landmark. According to the listing, the Italianate-style cottage sits on a 46-foot beautifully landscaped lot and features a large, fenced-in yard with a private deck -– a rare find in the city, making it the perfect home for a family with children or pets.

The home also features an attached two-car garage with ample storage, though its prime location in the very walkable Lincoln Park neighborhood allows residents to get around perfectly fine without a car. According to Choose Chicago, Lincoln Park is an incredibly popular destination for dining, shopping, and, most notably, its natural areas. The neighborhood's namesake park is home to some of the city's most beautifully landscaped natural areas, manicured gardens, and lakefront city views. Lincoln Park is also home to one of the country's oldest free zoos.

The 3650 square foot home features four bedrooms and four bathrooms, each located independently of one another to allow maximum privacy, with a total of 12 total rooms per the listing. Though the house boasts many amenities, such as heated floors on the east side of the house, plenty of original details are still on display, including the wide exterior staircase that leads to the main level of the home. The house also features the original frame clapboard with beautiful and ornate details carved into the wood.

The living room features a two-story cathedral ceiling and plenty of windows filling the room with bright, natural light, adding an additional modern twist to the historic property. The library features a double-sided wood-burning fireplace and overlooks the gardens of the neighboring property. The house features two separate forced air systems to allow for maximum comfort in all parts of the living space and was updated in 2021 to include a new roof.

The house is much more spacious inside than the exterior would have you believe, largely due to the various interior renovations. The listing states that the spacious master bedroom features a huge walk-in closet (which will come in handy when you visit all the neighborhood's unique boutique shops and need somewhere to store your treasures!) The master bathroom boasts a separate shower, a bathtub, and a vanity with a double sink.

The home's beautiful kitchen is one of the main focal points of the property, featuring oak cabinets, antique French tiled floor, granite counters, and updated stainless-steel appliances -– perfectly encapsulating the overall charm of this  historical space with touches of modern amenities and features. The entrance to the home's private deck is located just half a flight of stairs from two of the bedrooms on the main floor, with the lower level acting as a suite, featuring a private entrance, bedroom, media room, and bathroom.