Henry Gerber House

A gorgeous monument preserved! You can’t go inside, as people live there, but the walk around this historic block is worth the visit. Google lists Gerber’s address as 1704, though it was actually 1710. Keep an eye out for the discreet plaque on the sidewalk outside Henry’s house.

This is the very spot where the nation's first gay advocacy group of any kind happened. Gerber is said to have witnessed a flourishing gay society in Berlin and wanted to see one in the United States. His attempt was short lived but apparently influenced Harry Hay to start Mattachine society in 1948. This place is holy ground for me. I stop by to pay my respect whenever I'm in Chicago. I'm grateful it's been "historically" marked.