River North in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Courthouse Plaza
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Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021
1. Courthouse Plaza Marker
Courthouse Place
Otto H. Matz, architect
1892-93
This Romanesque-style building, which housed the Cook County Criminal Courts for 35 years, was the site of many legendary trials, including the Leopold and Loeb murder case and Black Sox Scandal. Newspapermen Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur based much of their 1928 play, "The Front Page," on the daily events in this structure. A public market hall once stood on the site.
Designated on June 9, 1993
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1993.
Location. 41° 53.409′ N, 87° 37.806′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. It is at the intersection of West Hubbard Street and North Dearborn Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Hubbard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 54 West Hubbard Street, Chicago IL 60654, United States of America.
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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: William D. Boyce (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named William D. Boyce (about 300 feet away); Chicago Varnish Company Building (about 400 feet away); Chicago Varnish Company Buliding (about 400 feet away); Site of the First Rush Medical College (about 500 feet away); James C. "Jim" Tyree (about 600 feet away); Loop da Loop, 2018 (about 700 feet away); LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Also see . . . Chicago Criminal Courts Building, 54 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL (HABS). Historic American Buidings survey record for this building, with 3 photos
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021
2. Courthouse Plaza Marker - entrance view
The marker is visible here just to the right of the building entrance, albeit tilted at an angle that makes it difficult to see.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021
3. Courthouse Plaza
Harold Allen (Historic American Buidings Survey, Library of Congress), May 24, 1965
4. Courthouse Plaza, formerly known as the Cook County Criminal Courts Building
Significance: This building of 1892 is one of the last works of a lesser-known, early Chicago architect, Otto H. Matz. Its blocklike form and heavily rusticated exterior recall something of the Richardsonian tradition of the early 1880's. - HABS
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 786 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 25, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
