Bensenville Area Historical Association- BAHA

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

September 3, 2026

Commission on Chicago Landmarks
Department of Planning and Development City of Chicago
121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 1000
Chicago, IL 60602

RE: Landmark Designation Request for the James O’Leary Mansion at 726 West Garfield Boulevard

Dear Members of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks:

I am writing to you today with an urgent plea to preserve a vital, irreplaceable piece of Chicago’s history: the 1890 James O’Leary Mansion located at 726 West Garfield Boulevard. I strongly urge the Commission to initiate the process of granting this extraordinary property official Landmark status before its physical decay or potential redevelopment erases its rich legacy.

This 6,270-square-foot Renaissance Revival brownstone is far more than just an aging historic home; it is a monument to two of the most infamous and storied figures in our city's history, representing both the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire and the colorful era of early 20th-century syndicate operations.

There are several compelling reasons why the O'Leary Mansion meets the criteria for Chicago Landmark designation:

1. A Direct Link to the Great Chicago Fire and the O'Leary Legacy

The mansion was famously built in 1890 by James "Big Jim" O’Leary for his mother, Catherine O’Leary. Catherine is forever woven into the lore of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. Though she and her cow were later exonerated by the Chicago City Council in 1997, the stigma and heartbreak followed her for the rest of her life. She lived her final years in this very home before passing away in 1895. The home even features a likeness of Catherine on the exterior façade, and the windows and dormers were architecturally designed to spell out the word "MoM" when viewed from a distance. Furthermore, reflecting the family’s trauma regarding fire, the property is said to be the only private residence in Chicago to boast its own dedicated fire hydrant in the rear alley, installed at James's request to protect his mother.

2. The Era of "Big Jim" O'Leary

James O'Leary was a towering figure in Chicago's underworld and political machine. Known as the "Gambling King of the Stock Yards," Big Jim made a fortune in bookmaking and ran a massive resort across from the Union Stock Yards. The Garfield Boulevard mansion stands as a physical testament to his immense wealth and operations. Remarkably, the property still contains two massive, original walk-in vaults—one on the main floor and one in the basement—where O'Leary reportedly stored his vast cash reserves. Preserving this home offers a tangible look into the syndicate history of the South Side prior to the Prohibition era.

3. Architectural and Historical Integrity

Designed by Zachary Taylor Davis—a prominent Chicago architect—the four-story brownstone is a stunning example of Renaissance Revival architecture. Despite needing cosmetic restoration, the home boasts remarkable structural integrity with 12-foot ceilings, original woodwork, towering doors, 33 total rooms, and its original two-story coach house and carriage stone in the rear. James O'Leary's initials remain proudly carved in the stone out front. Very few homes of this magnitude and pedigree from 1890 remain standing on the South Side, making its preservation all the more critical.

The James O’Leary Mansion is currently in a vulnerable state. It requires significant, specialized restoration to save its crumbling plaster and aging infrastructure. Without the protection and potential incentives that come with Chicago Landmark status, we risk a developer purchasing the land for its lot size, demolishing the structure, and permanently erasing the physical footprint of the O'Leary family from Chicago.

Our city is defined by its stories. The O’Leary Mansion encapsulates the tragedy of the 1871 fire, the immense wealth of the Stock Yards era, and the architectural grandeur of the 1890s in one single address.

I respectfully urge the Commission to review the historical and architectural merits of 726 West Garfield Boulevard and take immediate action to protect it as an official Chicago Landmark.

Thank you for your time, your service to our city, and your dedication to preserving the history of Chicago.

Sincerely,
Zachary Squires
President
Bensenville Area Historical Association

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07/24/2026

July 24, 2026
Office of the President
DePaul University
1 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604

RE: Demolition of Historic Properties for Athletic Facility Construction

Dear DePaul University Administration and Board of Trustees,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Bensenville Area Historical Association to express our profound disappointment and strong distaste regarding the university’s decision to demolish historic Chicago architecture to construct a new sports practice facility. We strongly condemn the prioritization of this development over the preservation of our city’s irreplaceable cultural and architectural heritage.

Chicago’s history is inextricably linked to its built environment. When historic structures are razed, the narrative and character of the community are permanently erased. As advocates for historical preservation and adaptive reuse, we find it unacceptable that a prominent Chicago institution would choose to destroy these community assets, particularly when the university has access to alternative land and parcels that would have been far better suited for new construction.

A practice facility does not require the sacrifice of Chicago’s heritage. There were entirely viable alternatives that would have allowed DePaul to expand its athletic programs without inflicting permanent damage on the historic fabric of the neighborhood. Choosing demolition over responsible, forward-thinking urban planning is a profound missed opportunity to integrate the university's growth with the preservation of the community it calls home.

We urge DePaul University to seriously reevaluate its approach to campus expansion and community stewardship. Future developments must prioritize adaptive reuse and historical integrity rather than taking the most destructive path of least resistance.

Sincerely,
Zachary Squires
President
Bensenville Area Historical Association

07/23/2026

I have formally contacted the Village of Bensenville requesting their action in helping save a significant part of the village's historical past. This town doesn't need anymore industrial warehouse and trucks causing traffic. We need more public spaces that everyone in the village can enjoy. That is what we at the Bensenville Area Historical Association hope to do with 115 E Green St. We have suffered enough loss with the O'hare project that saw the lose of St. Johannes Cemetery and Church.

We have taken the steps needed to start the landmarking of the building as a historically significant structure.

Village of Bensenville
12 South Center Street
Bensenville, IL 60106
Subject: Preservation of 115 E. Green Street
July 19, 2026
Dear Members of Bensenville Board of Trustees
I am writing to you on behalf of the Bensenville Area Historical Association to respectfully request the Board acquire and restore the Old Bensenville School building at 115 E. Green Street. It is now for sale.
Over the years, Bensenville has sacrificed a devastating amount of its history, homes, and neighborhoods to O’Hare expansion. To now lose this 1917 landmark would be an irreplaceable blow to the identity of our village.
While the 17,000-square-foot structure currently sits vacant, our nonprofit organization and other members of the community have many ideas for this historic building.
Vision for 115 E. Green Street
You can breathe new life into the property by transforming it into a vibrant, mixed-use anchor for the community. The revitalized building could feature:
• A Local History Museum: Dedicated public gallery space celebrating Bensenville’s rich heritage and stories.
• A Community Event Center: Accessible, welcoming spaces designed to host town gatherings, educational programs, and cultural events.
• Leasable Office Space: Commercial offices situated on the upper level to generate sustainable, long-term revenue.
To make this project a reality, there are state and federal historic preservation grants. Our nonprofit organization is willing to work with you to help secure grants in any way we can.
We are in a race against time to protect what remains of our town’s architectural legacy. The Village is the crucial catalyst to make it happen.
Sincerely,
Zachary Squires
President
Bensenville Area Historical Association

07/15/2026

Please consider making an irs tax deductible donation today to help us in our endeavors to save what’s left of our village’s great history.

🌟 Join us in Creating Change! 🌟At Bensenville Area Historical Association, we know that change starts with people like you. Every act of kindness, every…

07/05/2026

Happy 250 America from BAHA! 🎆

06/21/2026

One of Bensenville's most historic structures is at risk of being sold and demolished for industrial development. We are seeking investors interested in collaborating on the purchase and restoration of a significant part of the village's heritage. The building in question, located at 115 E Green St., was constructed in 1917 as Bensenville District 2 School, and after its closure in 1978, it was repurposed as offices before remaining vacant for 2 years. We aim to redevelop it into leasable spaces, a village history museum, and a community center. It’s been said to be around 13-17000 SQFT.

05/31/2026

The letter was published throughout Rockford today in print. This represents a significant milestone for the organization and increases our visibility.