Swamiji in Chicago

(For an enlarged view, please click on the map.)

For followers of Swami Vivekananda, Chicago remains a great tirtha (place of pilgrimage). But to find addresses or edifices where Vivekananda stayed while he was in Chicago is difficult; since he stayed mostly near the center of town, all but one of his residences have long since been demolished or replaced.

Further, although the Art Institute building (#1) where he gave all his talks at the Parliament of Religions in 1893 still exists, it was completely remodeled in 1894 so that today it is not possible to identify the exact location of the speakers' platform. But to give pilgrims a feeling for the places one may still visit, we present a small outline of Vivekananda's journeys to and through Chicago.

1. The Art Institute:

Still at its original location, the building has been much expanded and remodeled. The two large halls of Columbus and Washington were divided into classrooms and galleries. The center of the Hall of Columbus probably includes the current "Fullerton Hall".

During America's bicentennial celebrations in 1976, The National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution included Swami Vivekananda among the 29 eminent foreign visitors described in its book, Abroad In America.

On September 11, 1995, the Art Institute of Chicago, which was the site of Parliament of Religions, put up a bronze plaque to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's address in that building. The plaque reads in part, "His unprecedented success (at the Parliament) opened the way for the dialogue between Eastern and Western religions."

2. The Hale House:

This home originally at 451 Dearborn Street later became 1415 North Dearborn. It was demolished in the late sixties, and the site was converted into a "high-rise" multiple-dwelling with adjacent parking garage. Before the building was torn down, we were able to obtain door sills and other memorabilia (which are now housed in the Museum at the Ganges Monastery in Michigan). Across the street stands the St. Chrysostom Church-the site where Vivekananda sat down exhausted after his long walk from the railway station (Sept. 10, 1893) whence Mrs. Hale welcomed him.

3. John B. Lyons House:

The Lyons family hosted Vivekananda throughout the Parliament and often afterwards at then 262 Michigan Avenue (now the site of the Hilton Hotel at Balbo and Michigan Ave.).

4. Fine Arts Building:

Swami Vivekananda gave several classes in the studios of Florence Adams-a noted devotee and friend (current site is 410 S. Michigan Ave.).

5. Lincoln Park near Dearborn Street:

At the entrance to this park, Swamiji often used to sit, while staying with the Hales. One mother impressed by his imposing appearance, asked if she could leave her six-year old child in his charge while she was shopping; since he agreed, she did so several times. Later that child-Agnes Ewing-became a student of Swami Akhilananda.

6. 1210 N. Astor Street:

(formerly 10 Astor Street) From 1897, this home was the residence of the Hale family, and it is still standing today. Here Swamiji stayed during his last two Chicago visits.