The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Christmas Tree Ship

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021

1. The Christmas Tree Ship Marker

Inscription. For many years,"The Christmas Tree Ship,” loaded with trees, docked at the southwest corner of the Clark Street Bridge. From the ship, Captain Herman Schuenemann, known as "Captain Santa,” with his wife, Barbara, and daughters Elsie, Hazel and Pearl, sold trees to the public and gave them away to those in need.

On November 23, 1912, Schuenemann's ship, the Rouse Simmons, went down in a storm on Lake Michigan near Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Captain Schuenemann and the entire crew perished. Barbara Schuenemann and her daughters continued the Christmas tree business into the 1930s, bringing joy to many people through their generosity of spirit.

Erected 2012 by St. Pauls United Church of Christ.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 23, 1912.

Location. 41° 53.224′ N, 87° 37.872′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is at the intersection of West Wacker Drive and North Clark Street, on the right when traveling west on West Wacker Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Hubbard’s Folly” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Eastland Disaster

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 300 feet away); Reid, Murdoch & Company Building (about 500 feet away); Chicago's First Movable Bridge (about 600 feet away); 25,000th Convenience Store (about 700 feet away); Harris and Selwyn Theaters (about 700 feet away); Trustees System Service Building (about 800 feet away); South Water Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted to a cement pylon at the southwest foot of the Clark Street Bridge.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . The Original Christmas Tree Ship (Chicago's Christmas Ship). (Submitted on September 7, 2021.)

The Christmas Tree Ship Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021

2. The Christmas Tree Ship Marker - wide view

The marker is visible on the pylon on the left, with the Clark Street Bridge to the right.

<i>The Rouse Simmons docked</i> image. Click for full size.

courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Madison Libraries

3. The Rouse Simmons docked

This is almost certainly the image used to model the ship as depicted on the marker (see Photo 1).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.