Part 8/12:
In Chicago, the Gleaser House and Frost Mill Lodge—once opulent —were torn down during urban renewal or fire, leaving only historic photographs. Washington’s Clarendon Court—a mansion rich with art and scandal—was notorious for its dramatic inheritance disputes and was ultimately demolished after almost a century of storied existence.
The Impact of the Great Depression and War
The economic downturn of the 1930s led to widespread foreclosure of estates. Wealthy families once eager to showcase their power rented, sold, or demolished their homes—sometimes to finance survival. Infrastructure projects, urban expansion, and changing tastes shifted priorities towards commercial developments, public institutions, and affordable housing.