Bloomington in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sigmund Livingston
Founder of the Anti-Defamation League
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020
1. Sigmund Livingston Marker
In 1913, Bloomington native Sigmund Livingston founded the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Chicago. Livingston came to Bloomington in 1881 at the age of nine with his parents from Germany. After attending public schools, he graduated from law school at Illinois Wesleyan University and practiced here from 1894 to 1926.His office was in the Livingston Building which was built by his uncle in 1903. It was Bloomington's first skyscraper (steel framed with a brick and terra cotta curtain wall), and designed by George Miller. In 1926, Livingston moved to Chicago and continued to serve as ADL's Chairman until his death in 1946.
While still in Bloomington, he attended a vaudeville theater in Chicago and was offended by the portrayal of Jews. In 1908 he suggested to B'nai B'rith the formation of a group for the purpose of "eliminating the caricaturing and ridiculing of the Jew in literature, art, drama, and the press." This led to the founding of the ADL in 1913. Its charter reads: "The immediate object of the League is to stop, by appeals to reason and conscience and, if necessary, by appeals to law, the defamation of the Jewish
this page online
Erected 2003 by McLean County Historical Society & State Farm Insurance Company.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 40° 28.77′ N, 88° 59.634′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Illinois, in McLean County. Marker is on West Washington Street west of South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 W Washington St, Bloomington IL 61701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Phoenix Block (a few steps from this marker); Phoenix Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln The Lawyer (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dewenter's Building (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Center Street Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crothers and Chew Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 28, 2020
2. Sigmund Livingston Marker
Marker is in front of Elroy's
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 18, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
