One remnant of that history that remains today are a number of stone “posts” that, for lack of a better name, we have been referring to as the
“Bartlett Gates”. These stone posts were originally laid along Archer Avenue to mark the various subdivisions of real estate developer Frederick Bartlett.
From our research we believe they existed along Archer Avenue from about Austin Avenue to about Harlem Avenue. They were ornamental in nature and consisted of two posts of unequal height located at the intersection of each street along Archer Avenue, with a wrought iron gate running between the two posts.
Frederick H. Bartlett was a leading real estate developer in the early 20th century in the Chicago area and later went on to develop the Beverly Shores community in Indiana.
Bartlett speculated by purchasing a large portion of former Wentworth owned land and began selling this land from approximately 1912-1920. He named his subdivision "Bartlett Highlands" and later adopted the name "Garfield Ridge" after the land was annexed to the city in 1915.
He held huge land sales complete with shuttle cars to the property and special "flying aeroplane" demonstrations. He set up a temporary office at 64th and Archer (Archer and Narragansett).
To mark his development he installed these "Bartlett Gates at the end of each street. These gates were built to give the subdivision a “gated community” feel and were featured in early advertisements of the developments. They represent the early development of the area and were important with putting Garfield Ridge “on the map”.
As time went on these posts either were torn out, fell into disrepair, or were moved for other purposes. They were used for many years as street markers and many long time residents remember many of them up and down Archer. Only two of these posts remain in their original locations. The other known posts were relocated and reused as part of the “Lech Walesa Triangle” property at the intersection of Archer, 55th Street, and Narragansett, and another post was discovered on a piece of private
property on the 5300 block of South McVicker.
The two remaining posts are located on the Northwest corner of Archer and Melvina and the Southwest corner of Archer and Nordica. The post located on Melvina has been partially restored by the owners of Community Cleaners, and is a well known landmark in the community. The post located on Nordica is unrestored and is quickly falling into disrepair.
“Bartlett Gates”. These stone posts were originally laid along Archer Avenue to mark the various subdivisions of real estate developer Frederick Bartlett.
From our research we believe they existed along Archer Avenue from about Austin Avenue to about Harlem Avenue. They were ornamental in nature and consisted of two posts of unequal height located at the intersection of each street along Archer Avenue, with a wrought iron gate running between the two posts.
Frederick H. Bartlett was a leading real estate developer in the early 20th century in the Chicago area and later went on to develop the Beverly Shores community in Indiana.
Bartlett speculated by purchasing a large portion of former Wentworth owned land and began selling this land from approximately 1912-1920. He named his subdivision "Bartlett Highlands" and later adopted the name "Garfield Ridge" after the land was annexed to the city in 1915.
He held huge land sales complete with shuttle cars to the property and special "flying aeroplane" demonstrations. He set up a temporary office at 64th and Archer (Archer and Narragansett).
To mark his development he installed these "Bartlett Gates at the end of each street. These gates were built to give the subdivision a “gated community” feel and were featured in early advertisements of the developments. They represent the early development of the area and were important with putting Garfield Ridge “on the map”.
As time went on these posts either were torn out, fell into disrepair, or were moved for other purposes. They were used for many years as street markers and many long time residents remember many of them up and down Archer. Only two of these posts remain in their original locations. The other known posts were relocated and reused as part of the “Lech Walesa Triangle” property at the intersection of Archer, 55th Street, and Narragansett, and another post was discovered on a piece of private
property on the 5300 block of South McVicker.
The two remaining posts are located on the Northwest corner of Archer and Melvina and the Southwest corner of Archer and Nordica. The post located on Melvina has been partially restored by the owners of Community Cleaners, and is a well known landmark in the community. The post located on Nordica is unrestored and is quickly falling into disrepair.
Ad from a 1912 Chicago Tribune advertising one of many "Bartlett Highlands" land sales.
Excerpt from a 1913 Chicago Tribune Advertisement for the “Bartlett Highlands”. Photo of how the gates looked circa 1920
Note the “ornamental street entrances” along the left side.
Note the “ornamental street entrances” along the left side.
Various shots showing the gates in the 1950's.
The two remaining gates, on the left, the NW corner of Archer and Melvina, on the right, the SW corner of Archer and Nordica.