Featured Collections
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, Bridge No. 6
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, Bridge No. 6, Spanning Calumet River, east of Chicago Skyway Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, Bridge No. 6 is a steel vertical-lift bridge consisting of two parallel spans, carrying two tracks each, across the Calumet River in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The structure is currently owned by Norfolk […]
The State Line Generating Plant
The State Line Generating Plant was once a major source of electrical power for the city of Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1931, the plant was a coal-fired facility located in Hammond, Indiana, just across the state line from Chicago. It was owned and operated by Commonwealth Edison and provided power to the city for over […]
South Chicago Chemical Plant Complex
The South Chicago Chemical Plant Complex is a major industrial complex in the city of Chicago, Illinois. It is located on the city’s south side and is one of the largest chemical plants in the United States. The complex is a major contributor to the city’s economy and has been in operation since the early […]
The Indiana Harbor Complex
The Indiana Harbor Complex is one of the oldest industrial sites in the United States. Located in East Chicago, Indiana, the complex was established in 1889. At the time, the area was a small farming community with only a few businesses. Over the years, the complex transformed into one of the largest industrial sites in […]
Ambassador Apartments
The Ambassador Apartments in Gary, Indiana, was once a luxurious living space for many of the city’s citizens. Located at the intersection of Broadway and 23rd Avenue, it was built in the early 1920s as a symbol of Gary’s booming steel industry. The six-story building offered spacious suites, a restaurant, and a barber shop, among […]
Municipal Building, East Chicago Indiana
East Chicago, Indiana is a small city in the northern part of the state. It is located in Lake County. The city is situated on the banks of the Grand Calumet River and has a population of around 29,000 people. The city’s economy was once fueled by the steel industry, but has since diversified to […]
Gary Elementary School #19, Gary Indiana,
The Gary Elementary School System used to be one of the most respected in the state of Indiana. Unfortunately, the city of Gary has seen a dramatic decline in its population, leading to an exodus of local families and children. This has resulted in a large number of abandoned schools in the city, many of […]
Mont Clare Lanes & Banquets – Mont Clare, Chicago Illinois
The now demolished Mont Clare Bowling, located on Harlem Ave in Chicago across the street from Elmwood Park, was a beloved landmark in the area for many years. It was a popular spot for families, friends, and locals to gather for a night of fun and relaxation. “It was a good run,” Lastovich said. “Time […]
National Biscuit Company, Marseilles, La Salle County, IL
Since 1832 the fall at Marseilles was a source of water power for industry. In 1902 the National Biscuit Company purchased the site and expanded it into a large industrial complex. The most impressive structure, the eight-story Carton Factory (built-in 1920), is one of the area’s visual landmarks. The National Biscuit Company of Marseilles, La […]
St. Boniface Church, West Town Chicago
Roman Catholic St. Boniface Catholic Church. Over its lifetime, St. Boniface became the first parish in the area to become trilingual, serving English-speaking, Polish-speaking, and Spanish-speaking Catholics. The history of St. Boniface Church in West Town Chicago dates back to the late 1800s. In 1885, the first parish of St. Boniface was established to serve […]
Eastman Kodak Company Plant, South Loop Chicago
Eastman Kodak came to the Prairie Avenue neighborhood in 1905. The Eastman Kodak Company Plant in South Loop Chicago was a major industrial presence in the city for decades until its demolition in 2016. The plant was a major employer and a symbol of economic success in the city. The history of the Eastman Kodak […]
Automobile Club / Chicago Defender Building, Near South Side Chicago
A city landmark rich in Chicago history has been restored as an event production space. Built in 1936 and previously home to the Illinois Automobile Club and the Chicago Defender building, Motor Row. The adjacent building is the original home to the city’s first Cadillac dealership. The Automobile Club/Chicago Defender Building stands as a proud […]
White Stokes Manufacturing, Bridgeport Chicago
For residents of Bridgeport in Chicago, the sight of the abandoned White Stokes Manufacturing building has been a familiar one for over a decade. The factory, which was once a bustling hub of activity, has been closed for years and has become a forgotten relic of the past. But that is about to change. The […]
Packard Automotive Plant, Detroit
The Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit, Michigan, was one of the most iconic symbols of the city’s industrial past. The plant opened in 1903 and quickly became a symbol of Detroit’s automotive industry. For more than a century, the plant has been a major employer in the city and a symbol of Detroit’s car manufacturing […]
A. Finkl & Sons Steel, Lincoln Park Chicago
A. Finkl & Sons Steel was a leading steel manufacturer located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1879, the company had a long history of producing high-quality steel products for industrial and commercial use. Throughout its history, A. Finkl & Sons Steel has been known for its innovation and commitment to quality. The company pioneered many […]
The Community of Marktown
Marktown is a unique, close-knit community located in East Chicago, Indiana. It is known for its industrial history, its vibrant culture and its diverse population. Marktown was founded in 1906 by a group of industrialists, including Marktown’s namesake Mark Crane, who wanted to create a model industrial town. The layout of the town was designed […]
Sears, Roebuck and Company Complex
Sears, Roebuck and Company was founded in 1893 by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in Chicago, Illinois. The company was initially established as a catalog mail-order business, and was one of the earliest retail companies to offer goods to customers by mail-order. The company’s first catalog offered a variety of goods, including watches, […]
The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, McKinley Park Chicago
The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company has been a staple in the Chicago community since it was established by William Wrigley Jr. in 1891. Located in the McKinley Park neighborhood, Wrigley has been a leader in the confectionery industry for over a century. The company is best known for its iconic chewing gum, which was first […]
Old Chicago Post Office, Loop Chicago
The Old Chicago Post Office, located in the Loop Chicago, is an iconic landmark that has been standing for over a century. Built in 1920 and originally known as the Chicago Main Post Office, the building was designed by the renowned architect Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. It is one of the most recognizable and […]