The oldest home in the Old Irving Park neighborhood was designated as an official Chicago landmark by City Council today.

The Phebe and John Gray House at 4362 W. Grace St. was built in approximately 1856 by John Gray, who served as the first Republican sheriff of Cook County from 1858-1860. The Italianate-style, wood-frame home consists of two main floors and a third-story cupola.

Designed by an unknown architect, the house originally anchored a large farmstead outside of Chicago’s city limits prior to the area’s annexation in 1889. The Grays were among its early settlers, having moved to Illinois from upstate New York.

The house’s landmark designation protects its exterior elevations and rooflines from significant alteration or demolition.

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