Preserve the Pink and White: Rebuilding History

Built in 1894, the Pink and White House sits on the corner of Central and Ohio, in Chicagoland’s Austin neighborhood, on the city's West Side. The home was purchased in 1986 by a Minister and a Chicago public school teacher, the parents of current resident Yolanda Anderson. When the Anderson's purchased the home, they dedicated endless efforts, both financially and physically,  to restore the property to it's fullest potential.  As a family, the Anderson's decided on the dynamic color of pink, because they believe it signifies love. This home color has made it the unique staple in Austin. While the home was in great despair when it was first purchased, the family worked diligently to update the home to fit their needs, while preserving the integrity of the original construction. Yolanda's father, Reverend Anderson, tended to the many needs that this older home required. However, in 2015, his heath unexpectedly declined, shifting the family's focus and support to his needs, and not the needs of the home. The Reverend's passing in 2017 prompted the home's quick and significant decline, diluting the home's historic integrity. 
        Now, unfortunately, Yolanda Anderson and her mother, Wilhelmina, have found themselves in a very difficult position as they are not in the financial position to tend to the copious repairs that this iconic home needs. 
       The famous home is recognized on social media outlets as a must see. "You have not been on the West Side of Chicago, until you have seen the Pink and White House." The controversy the unique color creates has led the home to be a landmark of creativity and curiosity in not only the Austin community, but the entire City of Chicago. The Illinois Humanities Association featured the house at the Austin Town Hall, and the Cultural Center in a Creative Expo, as one of the homes showcasing Chicagoland’s creative buildings, that have inspired the community. The pink and white house was covered on a 91.5 F.M WBEZ radio broadcast, and has been a featured article in the Austin Weekly. It was also used as a location for a photo shoot which is  featured in “The Fall,” a UK magazine.  
       Despite having applied for several grant programs, the family has had no success in their public pleas to preserve the home. While this has been undoubtedly discouraging, the tight knit family has depended on their faith, and one other to maintain positive. 
     The West Side of Chicago has often been deemed with a terrible reputation for gun violence, neglect and drugs. However, the fact that the community represents a strong sense of perseverance, strength and care for each other seems to get lost in translation. 
      Like the community, the house can be judged for its run down state, or misrepresentation of the nicks and cuts, scars and bruises. The house still stands through the punishment of the elements, its survival of two fires, and has protected the Anderson family when a less formidably made home may have not given them enough time to make it to safety. Like the West Side, it is a strong giant, in need of love, support, and recognition.  
        I humbly ask that you contribute anything you can to preserve this iconic neighborhood staple. Every little bit helps, and I can not think of any family more deserving of help than the Anderson's. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with them as their real estate agent when they made the difficult and emotional decision to sell their family home. Now, as a friend, as the home is taken off the market, I hope to aid them in finding the funding to restore this one-of-a-kind home. 


Thank you for your time and consideration. Let's save the pink and white house! 

Jeanne Keating, Realtor 

Nora Thompson, unlicensed assistant 

The Anderson Family (Yolanda & Wilhelmina)