Our Legacy – The Birthplace of Rotary
Comely Bank
An important asset for the founding of Rotary
Comely BankHome of
Paul and Jean Harris
From 1912 until 1947&
Rotary International
Early Meeting Place
10856 S. Longwood Drive
Chicago, IL
Historical Markerissued by the Ridge Historical District.
Paul and Jean on the front steps in the 1920s. They named the house “Comely Bank” because that was the street’s name in Edinburgh, Scotland where Jean Harris had lived as a child.
In 1935, Japanese, Koreans and Chinese Rotarians presented Paul and Jean Harris with a similar Japanese Temple Lantern.
Paul and Jean in the enclosed sunroom in 1942 overlooking the International Friendship Garden.
Paul is putting out bird seed in his back yard with Silvester Schiele, one of the
four founders of Rotary and first President of Chicago Rotary One.
Paul looking out the kitchen window at some birds in his
back yard.
Many early meetings were held in the basement at Comely Bank. Pictured is the last meeting held in December 1942.
The last picture of Paul and Chicago One Rotarians in front of the fireplace in 1942.
International
Visitors
Small Conferenc
es
Rotary Tours Research
Inspiration
VISION - a meeting place
VISION - tribute to Paul Harris
Artifacts
Early Writings
Art Work
Exhibits
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Glenn Estess, Sr.; Luis Giay; Frank Devlyn, & William Boyd 2005
Sharing a piece of the ceremonial ribbon.Sakuji Tanaka, Estess, Sr., Luis Giay and Frank Devlyn.
View of Japanese Stone Temple Lantern looking north from Comely Bank.
Int’l Visitors
Small Conferences Rotary Tours
Research Inspiration
Paul Harris
Grave & Memorial
Comely Bank
Then and now….
Paul and Jean Harris in front of their fireplace in the 1942.
Paul Harris visiting with a member of the U.S. Navy in his Living room south west corner, in 1944.
Fundraising Goal – $5 million
Construction & Fundraising Expenses - $1.35 million
Contingency - $135,000 (10%)First Mortgage - $500,000
Second Mortgage - $500,000Minimum Endowment - $2.515 million
Touch the PastEmbrace the
Future