822 Bryant

The shingle-style house at 822 Bryant was designed by Augustus Higginson in 1901. Born in Boston, Higginson studied architecture at Harvard and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris before moving to Winnetka in 1895. Higginson’s brother George was an influential businessman and one of the largest landowners in Winnetka, and likely convinced his brother to settle in the growing Village. He had recently begun working with prominent architect Jarvis Hunt when he was hired by businessman Edwin S. Fetcher (originally Fechheimer) to design a unique house in the Village.

Originally from Cinncinnati, Edwin Fechheimer moved to Chicago in 1890 to work for the Winslow Brothers Ornamental Iron Company. In 1897, he moved to Winnetka, living with friends on Prospect Avenue until his house was completed in 1901. Immediately upon its completion, 822 Bryant made an impression on the Village and the wider architectural community. It was written up in Inland Architect in 1902, Architectural Record in 1904, and House Beautiful in 1905.

Known locally as the “brown house” for its brown shingle siding, the house was – and still is – lauded for its quintessential shingle-style exterior, and decidedly Arts and Crafts-style interior. The wood-paneled living room with its beamed cathedral ceiling is virtually unchanged today, and the large fireplace still contains the original andirons crafted by the Winslow Brothers Company, who famously casted the Louis Sullivan-designed ornamental façade of the Carson Pirie Scott building.

The house remained in the Fetcher family until 1954. The current owners have compiled extensive research on the house and have committed to maintaining many of the house’s notable original features. Because of its unique design and fascinating history, 822 Bryant has been identified as potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.