Milwaukee Avenue Near Schurz High School Finally Gets Its Long-Overdue Historic Street Signs

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Irving Park · March 28, 2026

Irving Park's architectural heritage is getting a long-overdue nod — and all it took was 30 years. Four blocks of Milwaukee Avenue near Carl Schurz High School are set to receive special brown historic street signs honoring Dwight Perkins, the renowned Chicago architect who designed the beloved high school building. The Sun-Times reports the milestone has been three decades in the making, a testament to the neighborhood's deep appreciation for the landmarked 1910 building that anchors the corridor.

Schurz High School, a crown jewel of Irving Park's streetscape, was designed by Perkins in the Prairie School style and has long been celebrated as one of Chicago's great public school buildings. The new brown commemorative signs — a format the city uses to mark streets of special cultural or historical significance — will ensure that neighbors and visitors alike know the legacy behind the architecture they pass every day.

It's a small but meaningful act of civic pride, and a reminder that Irving Park wears its history proudly. Keep an eye out for the new signs going up along Milwaukee Avenue near Schurz, and take a moment to appreciate the stunning building that inspired them. Know more about the signage timeline or the Perkins legacy? Share it with your neighbors on Socialhood!

Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/irving-park