Chicago Heights Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

The Ashland (Smith/Scott) Park Field House, located at 1432 Ashland Avenue, is being nominated for Landmark status based on it meeting criteria a, b, c, g, and h.

Dedicated May 2, 1928

Architect: Irving W. Kelley, 1926-7

Period of Significance: 1930

 Significant/Protected features: All exterior features including windows and roofline.  Flemish gabled parapets, arched window openings with rowlock surrounds; side verandas; ceramic tile roof; central arched front entry; ornamental sill at front central window opening.

 Originally named the Ashland Avenue Playground, the park was the third public park developed by the Chicago Heights Park Board. In 1926, 4.082 acres of land was purchased from Horace M. Scott by bond issue for $17,000. Mr. Scott was an alderman business owner in Chicago Heights, lived at 14^th and Scott Avenue. Thomas J. Smith was a resident of Chicago Heights whose athletic achievement began through the Chicago Heights Park district.



 The original landscape design and plantings were done by the notable Swain Nelson and Sons Company, a Chicago landscape firm known for designing Chicago’s Lincoln Park. They were also responsible for the plans for Jirtle and Lincoln Center (King) parks.  The cost of the park is recorded at $23,264.

The Ashland (Smith/Scott) Park Fieldhouse (referred as Ashland Park Fieldhouse) is an exceptional example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture of which a limited number of examples are found in Chicago Heights.  The Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture is a revival of the Spanish Colonial architecture popular between 1600 and 1840. The Ashland Park Fieldhouse shows a vernacular adaptation of the style of Mexican Baroque churches and missions as seen by its similarities to the Mission San Luis Rey, built in 1811 in what is now Oceanside, California (Now a National Historic Landmark).  The Spanish Colonial Revival style was most popular between the years 1915-1940.

   

The Ashland (Smith/Scott) Park Field House exhibits the common style characteristics of the Spanish Colonial Revival style of arched openings, red-tiled roofs, loggias, low-relief carvings highlighting windows, curvilinear and decorated parapets and brick facade. Most of this structures’ original materials, elements of design, detailing, and craftsmanship remain in the Ashland Park Field House.

The Ashland Park Field House was designed by noted local architect I.W. Kelley.  Kelly designed many notable buildings in Chicago Heights including the Jirtle Park Field House, the Church of Our Savior/First Spanish Baptist Church (162 E.24^th), St. Casmir/I Am My Brother’s Keeper (275 E. 14^th), and the original First National Bank building at 1651 Halsted (demolished), as well as buildings in Chicago. One, the Swedish American Telephone Company Building (5235-5257 N. Ravenswood, 1901) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Set on 14^th Street/Lincoln Highway, the field house has become an established and familiar visual feature to the City of Chicago Heights.  Whether you are a new resident, life-long resident, or just pass through along the historic Lincoln Highway, this structure- because of its architecture and setting- is a visual landmark.  The Ashland Park Field house remains just as much of a focal point of the city today for park users, as well as a resource to add interest and uniqueness to all who pass though Chicago Heights.

As a product of its time, the Ashland Park Field House speaks to Chicago Heights and the then new Park District’s prominence in the 1920s. Several parks were built and planned to serve the growing population of the city. Additionally, since the 1890’s immigrants have come to Chicago Heights to find jobs and build better lives. A large part of Chicago Heights residents are of Hispanic heritage and this building can help celebrate that part of the cultural heritage and development of Chicago Heights.