Woodlawn in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Charles E. Merriam Center for Public Administration
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021
1. Charles E. Merriam Center for Public Administration Marker
Charles E. Merriam, a distinguished member of the University of Chicago Political Science faculty was influential in this effort. Merriam was instrumental in securing a grant from the Spelman Fund to establish and house a coordinating group, the Public Administration Clearing House. This building was dedicated to that purpose upon completion in 1937.
In addition to PACH, the building has served as home for the National League of Cities, Council of State Governments, International City Management Association, American Public Works Association, International Association of Assessing Officers, American Planning Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, American Public Welfare Association, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Government Finance Officers Association, International Public Personnel Association, Federation of Tax Administrators
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Originally known as "1313", the structure was subsequently renamed in Merriam's honor. Throughout its history it has served as a key clearing house for information vital to improving the quality of urban life.
This plaque is dedicated to contributions made by the building and its tenants to the improvement of state and local government and the public services they provide.
Erected 1987 by Waste Management, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 41° 47.155′ N, 87° 35.571′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Woodlawn. It is on East 60th Street west of South Dorchester Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021
2. Charles E. Merriam Center for Public Administration Marker - wide view
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masaryk Memorial Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cheney-Goode Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Cheney-Goode Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); John Dewey (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackson Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Boulevard System (approx. 0.3 miles away); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (approx. 0.3 miles away); Congressman John Lewis, 2020 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Also see . . . Merriam Center (Encyclopedia of Chicago).
Excerpt: "The building was not without public controversy. An article, “Terrible 1313,” published in the American Mercury in 1959, attempted to document that 1313 was the headquarters of an anti-American movement to introduce zoning, building codes, public health laws, and other anti–private property initiatives. In 1979, the building was renamed the Charles E. Merriam Center for Public Administration. By 1995 none of the original associations remained; they had all moved their headquarters to larger, newer, and for the most part, more federally focused locations."(Submitted on December 24, 2021.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 603 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
