2156 N. TRIPP AVENUE (originally 1249 Tripp Avenue) , CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60639
Walt Disney - the “master showman” who created Mickey Mouse, reimagined Snow White for his motion picture masterpiece, and established the magic kingdom of Disneyland was born over 100 years ago on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois! Please step this way as we explore the story of his birthplace!
According to “The Spirit of Disney”: “In 1877, frost destroyed Elias’ orange grove in Daytona Beach, Florida. Never one to worry about bad luck, Elias picked up and moved to the broiling, brawling and growing ‘west’ of Chicago. (Those raised in what we now call ‘the Western States’ may forget that Horace Greeley’s ‘Go West, young man’ was in reference to Chicago.)
By 1889, when Elias and Flora Disney arrived in Chicago with there infant son, Herbert, it was a city with a population of 1.2 million. After a life in small towns, Elias was understandably bewildered by the city’s clamor. Walt’s father needed shelter for his family and decided to build his own home.” This occurred between 1891 and 1893. “Flora said that she would design it. ‘There’s nothing mysterious about drawing up plans for a house,’ she argued. ‘And a woman ought to know more about making it livable.’ Elias painted the house white with blue trim, and visitors admired its clean lines and economy.” People build houses every day, but this house was very special, for the "world's greatest showman" - Walt Disney - was to be born here on Sunday, December 5th, 1901. Now “Elias and Flora started to work together in the construction business. Flora drew up plans, bought the building materials, did the bookkeeping and even furnished the house of the buyer so desired.” While many other houses were constructed, this house continues to stand the test of time, and a symbol of a man who epitomized the American dream.
Please, step this way, as your personal Field Guide Beth takes you on a tour of the Hermosa house's exterior, and gives you a brief history of the home that very house which Elias and Flora built together between 1891 and 1893.
Walter Elias Disney's Certificate of Baptism bearing both his birthdate as well as his baptism date during the period of Elias and Flora's residency on Tripp Avenue in Chicago. Artifact in the care of Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco, California.
1249 Tripp Avenue, Chicago Illinois. Four of Flora and Elias' children were born in this home : Raymond December 1890, Roy June 1983, Walt December 1901 and Ruth December 1903. The Walt Disney Company, All Rights Reserved.
Walt thereafter spent the first four years of his life here with his three older brothers, mother, and father, before Elias decided to move his family away from the city to a little town called Marceline!
Walt and Ruth Disney on the front porch of 1249 Tripp Avenue, Chicago before leaving for Marceline, Missouri, ca, 1906.
The Tripp Avenue Disney house is valued by Hermosa residents, Chicago historians, and chroniclers of Walt Disney's life and times. Today, when you visit The Walt Disney Birthplace, you will note that the brick pathway leading to the front door is laid with numerous bricks forged with the names and well-wishes of private donors and parties. On March 3rd, 2016, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced The Walt Disney Company's pledge of $250,000 to the Center for Early Childhood Creativity and Innovation which will have a home at The Walt Disney Birthplace.
As of 2018, the exterior was mostly complete, with interior restoration moving forward.
To find out about how YOU can contribute to the completion of this restoration project, please visit http://www.thewaltdisneybirthplace.org/ .