Much of the success of Rotary’s early growth has been attributed to the charisma of Rotary’s founder, a legendary author, and one of Chicago’s most successful trial attorneys. His autobiography, My Road to Rotary, includes references to his knack for bringing Rotary leaders out to his home for discussions that shaped the organization that we enjoy. Paul writes: “One winter day I was walking on Longwood Drive in a suburban district in Chicago. The drive skirts a hill spoken of as “the ridge” which extends for several miles in a southwesterly direction , an unusual feature in Chicago as most of the lies on flat ground. The houses on the west side of the drive are built on the crest of the hill that parallels it. “On that particular day the hill was covered with snow and many of the youngsters were coasting without regard to the property rights involved. No property owner, however, seemed disposed to question the rights of the youngsters to make common ground of their hillside lawns. The picture seemed so true to the New England life I had known and loved that the thought came to me if ever I was to have a home of my own, it would be on the top of the hill on Longwood Drive. The time came sooner than I expected ....I married my bonnie Jean, and two years later acquired a home on the hill. We named our home “Comely Bank” after the street in Edinburgh where she spent the days of her child and youth.”

Comely Bank

Jean and Paul Harris celebrated their Silver Anniversary at Comely Bank and continued to live in the house until Paul’s death in 1947. There have been two owners since Jean Harris sold Comely Bank. The current owner, who is not a Rotarian, sold the home to the Paul and Jean Harris Home Foundation.

Why do we need it?

If the walls could talk. Comely Bank would have more to say than any other building. This fact gives this real estate property special potential to both display archived items of current interest, and to be used for current day Rotary meetings and small events. If users pay fair rental fees or make donations to the maintenance fund, appropriate usage should sustain Comely Bank forever.

Fund Raising

If every Rotarian in the world donated just five dollars, we would have enough for the purchase, restoration, and the establishment of a maintenance fund.

(painting by J. B. Mayford)