Picture this a grand Queen Anne-style mansion standing proudly on South Prairie Avenue. This is the Wood-Maxey-Boyd House a true testament to resilience and history.
Built in 1885 for lumberman George E Wood the house was designed by the renowned architect John C Cochrane. Cochrane also designed the Illinois State Capitol. Quite a feat for one architect. The Wood-Maxey-Boyd House was once part of Lower Prairie Avenue a prestigious residential street. This area underwent significant redevelopment in the 1950s and 60s. Many mansions were lost.
However the Wood-Maxey-Boyd House survived. Dr Alva Maxey-Boyd and her husband Charles Boyd purchased the home in 1948. They faced numerous challenges. They fought against urban renewal plans that threatened demolition. The couple successfully defended their beloved home. Their efforts ensured the house’s survival. They even used garden hoses to fight a fire set to a neighboring house.
The Wood-Maxey-Boyd House became a symbol of hope and achievement for the African American community. Dr Maxey-Boyd a sociologist welcomed students to the home. It served as a beacon of inspiration. It showed what African American families could aspire to. At a time when many could not even afford a bungalow.
Tragically the Boyds had no children. The house was their legacy. After Dr Maxey-Boyd’s death in 2009 the estate sold the house in 2011 for $450000. A new owner took on the challenge of restoring this magnificent home.
The Wood-Maxey-Boyd House stands as a symbol. It is a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of a family. It is a symbol of the enduring spirit of Chicago. A true Chicago Landmark.