James A. Patten, called the "Wheat King" due to his success as a grain merchant. Mayor of Evanston IL from 1901 to 1903. President of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees from 1917 to 1920. In 1908 he gave $310,000 to Northwestern University for the construction of the original Patten Gymnasium (1910-1939). It was razed in 1939 to make room for the current Technological Institute. The current Patten Gymnasium opened in 1941 on Sheridan Road on the north end of campus to replace the original. The original gymnasium was designed by the prominent architect, George Washington Maher, who also designed the Patten home in Evanston, located on SW corner of Ridge Ave. & Lake St. The Patten home was donated to Northwestern in the 1930s. Northwestern sold it to Hemphill Builders who razed it to make room for the 9 homes that are currently there. The impressive original wrought iron and granite fence that surrounded the estate still remains. The 9 home development is known as "Patten Manor".
His mother, Agnes Beveridge Patten (1829-1901), was the sister of John Beveridge (1824-1910), the governor of Illinois from 1873-1877.
His mother, Agnes Beveridge Patten (1829-1901), was the sister of John Beveridge (1824-1910), the governor of Illinois from 1873-1877.
James A. Patten, called the "Wheat King" due to his success as a grain merchant. Mayor of Evanston IL from 1901 to 1903. President of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees from 1917 to 1920. In 1908 he gave $310,000 to Northwestern University for the construction of the original Patten Gymnasium (1910-1939). It was razed in 1939 to make room for the current Technological Institute. The current Patten Gymnasium opened in 1941 on Sheridan Road on the north end of campus to replace the original. The original gymnasium was designed by the prominent architect, George Washington Maher, who also designed the Patten home in Evanston, located on SW corner of Ridge Ave. & Lake St. The Patten home was donated to Northwestern in the 1930s. Northwestern sold it to Hemphill Builders who razed it to make room for the 9 homes that are currently there. The impressive original wrought iron and granite fence that surrounded the estate still remains. The 9 home development is known as "Patten Manor".
His mother, Agnes Beveridge Patten (1829-1901), was the sister of John Beveridge (1824-1910), the governor of Illinois from 1873-1877.
His mother, Agnes Beveridge Patten (1829-1901), was the sister of John Beveridge (1824-1910), the governor of Illinois from 1873-1877.
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