Rosedale Addition to Edgewater [Chicago Real Estate]

“Do YOU Want to Buy One of These BARGAINS? If not then make a FRIEND FOR LIFE by handing This Circular to a Neighbor.”

“LOOK Everywhere else, but BUY here” exclaims this scarce promotional flyer, published in Chicago by James W. Hedenberg around 1908. Hedenberg was a local real estate agent and financial broker who sought to draw attention to a new residential subdivision in the North Side neighborhood of Edgewater. The area was officially platted by developer and Edgewater founder John Lewis Cochran in 1907.

One side of the ephemeral sheet features a large-scale location map of the available land, bounded by Rosedale Avenue, Southport Avenue, Peterson Avenue, and Evanston Avenue (renamed Broadway in 1913). As it had not yet been built, Thorndale Station is labeled as “Probable,” though a temporary stop would ultimately open on that site in 1915. A clever bit of geographic distortion truncates the eastern and western edges, bringing both Lake Michigan and the Clark Street electric streetcar line a few blocks closer than in reality. Accompanying text offers large building lots starting at $1,225.

The reverse side features a detailed plat map of the property. Prices are clearly marked for available lots, though several are already stamped or noted as “Sold,” adding a strong sense of urgency to the promotion. “No Special Assessments” are advertised in bold, alongside other highlights like convenient transit access, easy payment terms, asphalt streets, shaded sidewalks, and modern neighborhood amenities.