Explore The Beauty Of Chicago Public Schools Architecture Online
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 16, 2014 3:10PM
Lost in the discussion over our best buildings and skyscrapers list is the amazing architecture of neighborhood elementary and high schools in the Chicago Public Schools system. I was reminded of that Sunday biking past Carl Schurz High School, a beautiful mélange of Chicago and Prairie styles. Schurz was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1979. As a graduate of Lane Tech, I’m still mesmerized by the sheer size of the school’s Tudor Gothic architecture. Either of these high schools, and several other CPS buildings, would have been worthy inclusions to our best buildings list.
The website Chicago Historic Schools does an outstanding and exhausting job listing the most notable buildings in the CPS system based on their architectural highlights. Lane and Schurz are on the list, as are other high schools like Senn, Phillips, Lake View, Pilsen Community Academy and Tilden. The architects behind many of these buildings also receive well-deserved recognition such as Dwight Perkins, the mastermind behind Schurz; John C. Christensen, the architect behind Lane Tech; Lake View’s S.M. Randolph; and William B. Mundie, who designed Phillips.
Take a few moments today to browse the website—you’ll be glad you did as you’ll see the beauty of these buildings and get a history lesson, in the process.