Robert S. Abbott House

The Robert S. Abbott House is a Queen Anne style residence on Chicago's South Side featuring an asymmetrical facade, prominent gabled roof, and decorative Victorian elements along its exterior. The structure forms part of a duplex arrangement with adjoining units that share architectural details and a connected roof line.

Robert S. Abbott purchased the house in 1926 and used it as both a residence and the heart of his publishing operations for The Chicago Defender until 1940. The building received National Historic Landmark status in 1976 in recognition of its importance to American journalism history.

The home belonged to the founder of The Chicago Defender, a newspaper that served African American readers and shaped national conversations about race and equality. The publication became one of the most influential black newspapers in the country during its time.

The residence remains a private home and is not open for tours or regular visitation, though the exterior can be viewed from the street. The location on King Drive is easily accessible by public transportation and sits within an active neighborhood.

The house was originally built as a duplex with separate entrances beneath individual porches for each unit, an arrangement Abbott maintained during his residence. This shared structure shows how early 20th century homes combined privacy with practical space-sharing in urban neighborhoods.

Location: Illinois

Architectural style: Queen Anne style architecture in the United States

GPS coordinates: 41.80999,-87.61614

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:58