The Commission on Chicago Landmarks marks “this group of 20 visually distinctive row houses was built in 1903 by one of Chicago’s most prolific early developers, Samuel E. Gross. The fine detailing and craftsmanship used for building entrances and cornices reflect the influence of the Classical Revival style.” It is known as the “Old” (or "original”) Professors Row in Hyde Park. The “new” Professors Row is located off 56th and Kimbark.

Joe Marlin, A Hyde Park Historical Society Board Member shared the following story back in 2004, in the Hyde Park Historical Society Newsletter:

The Greenwood Row House District

By Joe Marlin

Note: Since this account was written by Mr. Marlin, the Greenwood Row House District was designated a Chicago Landmark by Ordinance 0/the Chicago City Council on December 8, 2004.

Joe Marlin, who lives at 5234 South Greenwood Avenue, accepted the Cornell Award on behalf of the Greenwood Row House District of Hyde Park at the Hyde Park Historical Society annual meeting in February. His brief acceptance speech was a gracious, often amusing commentary about life on this block. He gave the Society an extended, perceptive, and often humorous report, which has been edited for this newsletter.

Our Block: A Brief History This is a brief history of the 5200 block of Greenwood Avenue (West side, of course) containing for the edification of its readers some brief notes on Hyde Park's past, with appropriate comments on the architectural significance of our homes, together with various and sundry information of the utmost interest to the diligent student of history. It has been prepared by Joseph R. Marlin, unofficial block historian, who begs your indulgence for performing a task for which he has no credentials whatsoever, and who wrote a few sentences with tongue-in-cheek! History of Hyde Park Hyde Park Township was incorporated in 1861 from a broader swath of land to the south and west, but it was still of significant size, 5226 S. Greenwood, showing original extending from grassy slope in front 35th Street to what Houses of Greenwood Row, 1954 is now 138th Street, and from State Street to the lake. North Hyde Park Township consisted of three areas: Kenwood, Hyde Park Center (51st to 55th Streets), and South Park (55th to 59th Street). In 1889, the year Hyde Park was annexed into Chicago, the area west of Kimbark was considered vacant swamp land, but with the annexation the ground, never quite hallowed, on which we live, became part of Chicago. I have heard, although this is not confirmed, Aloysius J. Daley, the great grandfather of the mayor gave several influential persons season's tickets to nearby Washington Park race track (some considered it the finest in the world) to vote the right way. Please do not repeat this. By the turn of the century, the swamp land west of Woodlawn Avenue began to be developed. For example, Frank Lloyd Wright'S Heller House at 5132 S. Woodlawn was built, and in 1904,5235 and 5317 S. University were put up. Our (Greenwood) houses were completed in 1903, but presumably started the prevIous year. Before discussing our block's development, who was involved and how our houses relate to our Hyde Park Kenwood Historic District, we need to understand how Greenwood Avenue became Greenwood Avenue, don't we? Jean Block (in Hyde Park Houses) states that Greenwood was the name of the home of Hamilton Bogue, a real estate broker of the day. However, a card in the street card file of the Chicago Historic Society indicates that Greenwood was named in honor of William M. Greenwood, a lawyer and real estate promoter. There you have it, clear as swamp water. At least real estate seemed to be a common thread. Now let us proceed to consider one Samuel Eberly Gross, our developer and his associates, who wan ted to make money and help people move to the more countrified areas in the west part of the old Hyde Park Center.

See the Summer 2005 “Memories of Greenwood Row” Newsletter