CHICAGO — This week's #ThrowbackThursday centers on an ornate Queen Anne-style mansion hiding in plain sight in downtown Jefferson Park.
The lavish home was designed and built in the 1890s for a prominent neighborhood busybody named Dr. David B. Fonda, who owned a drug store in Jefferson Park and at one time managed the Cook County Insane Asylum in Dunning.
Within a single decade, Fonda also took on four other high-profile civic roles — none of which still exist, according to the historical society:
In 1867, Dr. Fonda was appointed Cook County Physician, a position he held until 1871. From 1874 to 1877, he was president of the Board of Trustees for Jefferson Township. Additionally, he was elected Health Officer and a member of the School Board for the Jefferson Township.
Fonda died in his home in 1903. His grand mansion, now shrouded in trees and squeezed between two brick storefronts, has since been converted to apartments.
DNAinfo is partnering with the Northwest Chicago Historical Society for a new history post each week. All photos are the property of Northwest Chicago Historical Society unless otherwise indicated.
For more photos and information, visit the Northwest Chicago Historical Society's Facebook page.
