| Address | 40 E. Erie Street, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1883 |
| Architect | Burling & Whitehouse |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | September 28, 1977 (Final) |
| Neighborhood | Near North Side |
| Type | House |
| Landmark ID | L-152 |
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“In 1863, he had joined with several other businessmen to found the First National Bank of Chicago and was named its president in 1867. Nickerson's conservative banking philosophy helped guide this important institution through its first thirty years.”
“Fortunately, subsequent owners of the Nickerson house have recognized the importance of preserving the house as it was built and have done little to alter it. After his wife's death, Nickerson and his son left for New York in 1900 and the house was sold to Lucius G. Fisher, president of the Union Paper and Bag Company.”
“The Nickerson house is an example of a unique portion of Chicago's heritage. Very few houses of such overwhelming richness survive today, and Chicago is fortunate that there exists here, intact, such an elaborate Victorian home.”
“During that time Nickerson also founded and was president of the Chicago Street Railway Company and was president of the Union Stockyards National Bank as well. An engraving of Samuel M. Nickerson published in 1892.”
“Built-in furnishings in these rooms, like many of the wooden doors throughout the house, are intricately carved and inlaid as was popular in the Victorian era. a Credit for the interior of the "marble palace" must be given not only to Burling, but also to A. Fiedler, a designer for decorative furniture manufacturer in New York.”
“The basically rectangular building is impressive in its volume and this imparts an appropriate grandeur to the house. The south facade of the Nickerson house faces Erie Street and has a central entranceway.”
“This facade also had a porte-cochere and conservatory at the first-floor level, but these were removed in 1923 when the John B. Murphy Memorial was built to the east of the house.”
What other designation reports say about this building
“…many of the city's social elite, with one of his most elaborate interior designs created in 1879 for Samuel M. Nickerson's sumptuous residence at 40 East Erie Street (1883, a designated Chicago Landmark). During the 1880s, Fiedler formed an architectural firm with John Addison, who was known for his "Modern…”
“Few large mansions survived this redevelopment intact, with the Nickerson House at 40 East Erie Street, the Cable House at 25 East Erie Street, and the Robert McCormick Double House at 660 North Rush Street being the most significant, both…”
“…the Church of the Epiphany in 1885 at Adams Street and Ashland Avenue (a designated Chicago Landmark), the Samuel M. Nickerson House (1883, 40 East Erie Street, a designated Chicago Landmark), and several other houses.”
“…Burling's (1819-92) firm by 1878, and became a partner in 1883. (Among their other commissions was the Nickerson House, a Chicago Landmark at 40 E. Erie St.) The selection of Burling & Whitehouse may have been influenced by Burling's earlier work on St. James Episcopal Church (675 N.”