Douglas (Bronzeville) in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chicago Bee Building
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Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021
1. Chicago Bee Building Marker
Chicago Bee Building
Z. Erol Smith, architect
1929-31
This Art Deco-style building was constructed as the headquarters for the Chicago Bee newspaper, which was founded by noted African American entrepreneur Anthony Overton. It also featured upper-floor apartments and, during the 1930s, housed the offices of the Overton Hygienic Co., a nationally-known cosmetics firm. One of nine structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District.
Designated on September 9, 1998
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 1998.
Location. 41° 49.68′ N, 87° 37.578′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South State Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3647 South State Street, Chicago IL 60609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eugene Temple (here, next to this marker); Casmere Lazzeroni
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Chicago Bee Building NHRP Nomination Form (National Archives Catalog). (Submitted on December 23, 2021.)
2. The Chicago Bee (1926-1946) (Black Past). (Submitted on December 23, 2021.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021
2. Former Chicago Bee Building and Marker
The last major structure to be erected in the State Street commercial district was the combination newspaper office and apartment building commissioned in 1929 by Anthony Overton for his newspaper the Chicago Bee....The Chicago Bee Building is one of the most picturesque of the Black Metropolis group, being the only structure designed in the Art Deco style of the late 1920s. Designed by Z. Erol Smith, the same South Side architect who created the earlier Overton Hygienic Building, the Chicago Bee Building features a richly ornamented facade executed entirely in terra cotta, the ground floors finished in two shades of green with intricate incised ornamentation. The terra cotta was executed by the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company of Chicago which employed a number of talented French modelers who had mastered the innovative Art Deco forms after having previously worked on the exhibits of the Paris 1925 Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. The Chicago Bee Building still stands largely as originally designed with minimal alterations. - NRHP Nomination Form
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
