431 S. Ashland

This home is believed to be owned, during the 1930's or 1940's by Mendum Bedloe, cousin of the famous Barrymore theatrical family. Neighbors recall the Barrymores' having visited their cousins when performing in Chicago.

The Bedloes were also decendents of another famous family, the one for which Bedloe Island in New York harbor was named after. The island once housed Fort Wood, which was built during the War of 1812. It became the site where the gift from the people of France was placed - The Statue of Liberty. Fredrick Auguste Bartholdi chose the site, and Alexandre Gustave Eiffel built the supporting framework for the 1885 assembling of this 'Lady of Liberty". In 1956, Bedloe Island was renamed Liberty Island.

This house is a simplified Queen Anne.