Curious about this stunning lakeside mansion? That’s Piper Hall. It stands as one of the few remaining early 20th-century mansions along Chicago’s North Sheridan Road.
Piper Hall has a rich history. It began in 1909 as a private residence. Architect William Carbys Zimmerman designed it in the American Foursquare style for Albert and Cassie Wheeler. Cassie, an artist, significantly contributed to the design. It featured seventeen rooms. Unique elements included a cathedral oak staircase and a stained-glass window. People called it “Cassie’s Dream Castle”.
The Wheelers’ time in their dream home was short. Albert’s work took them to the East Coast after only about seven years. In 1916, the Johnsons purchased the house for $150,000. That equals about $3.7 million today. They made few changes. Mr. Johnson added oak bookcases for his books.
The Johnsons later sought land in Death Valley. Financial losses during the Great Depression forced them to sell their Chicago home. Mundelein College, a Catholic women’s college, bought it in 1934.
Mundelein College transformed Piper Hall into its library. They even acquired books and furniture from the Johnsons. A painting became a point of contention. It was a copy of Raphael’s Madona della Sedia. The Johnsons let the school keep it temporarily. It now hangs in Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park.
Extensive remodeling occurred in 1948. The stacks moved. A new elevator was installed. The kitchen became a book processing area. In 1968, the library moved to a new building. Piper Hall then served many roles. It was a student center. It housed the Religious Education Center. A coffeehouse even existed in the basement.
In 1975, the building officially became Piper Hall. This was in honor of Virginia and Kenneth Piper. They were loyal supporters of Mundelein College.
Mundelein College affiliated with Loyola University Chicago in 1991. A restoration in 2005 returned parts of Piper Hall to its original design. The Gannon Center for Women and Leadership moved in. The Women and Leadership Archives also found a home here.
Today, Piper Hall continues to host events. Loyola functions and private events occur on the first floor. The Gannon Center’s offices and a classroom are on the second floor. The Women and Leadership Archives occupy the third floor. Piper Hall stands as a testament to Chicago’s architectural history. It also serves as a center for women’s leadership.