River North in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chicago Varnish Company Building
Henry Ives Cobb, architect
1895
— Chicago Landmark —
Photographed By Sean Flynn
1. Chicago Varnish Company Building Marker
Built as the headquarters of one of the leading varnish manufacturers in the United States, this building is a rare Chicago example of Dutch Renaissance Revival-style architecture, marked by distinctive stepped gables. It was designed by Henry Ives Cobb, a nationally recognized architect whose other important works include the former Chicago Historical Society Building, the Newberry Library, and the original buildings for the University of Chicago campus.
Designated on July 25, 2001
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Erected 2001 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 41° 53.348′ N, 87° 37.764′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. Marker is on West Kinzie Street near North Dearborn Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker, along with two other markers denoting the building as a historic site, are visible behind a glass pane to the immediate right of the entrance to Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Courthouse Plaza (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chicago's First Movable Bridge (about 400 feet away); Marina City (about 500 feet away); Trail Blazer (about 500 feet away); IBM Building (about 500 feet away); Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge (about 500 feet away); 25,000th Convenience Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bataan- Corregidor Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Regarding Chicago Varnish Company Building. Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse has occupied the building since 1987, when it was founded by its namesake, the famed baseball announcer for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
Also see . . . Harry Caray’s: Landmark building was a mobster’s hideout, has secret rooms, is Chicago's block #1. <blockquote>Chicago Tribute excerpt: "[T]his piece of land... was designated the city’s first block in 1830, seven years before it was incorporated as a city. The original owner was a man named Alexander Wolcott Jr., who had arrived here by canoe and became the area’s first doctor. He married Ellen Kinzie, the first non-Native American born here, daughter of settlers John and Eleanor Kinzie.
More firsts?
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 18, 2023
2. Chicago Varnish Company Building markers
The Chicago Landmark tablet is above two others, one dedicated by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois and another denoting the property as being on the national register of historical places. The Landmarks Preservation Council tablet references the building's rare Dutch Revival style as well as the preservation easement for its facade.
Additional keywords. harry caray's chicago
Photographed By Sean Flynn
3. Harry Caray's
The tablets are behind the window on the left.
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 18, 2023
4. Chicago Varnish Company Building (Kinzie and Dearborn streets)
Directly behind the Chicago Varnish Company Building is the Marina City complex, which includes the Chicago Hotel in the rectangular building and the two towers in the background.
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 18, 2023
5. Chicago Varnish Company Building (Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse)
The Wrigley Building can be seen in the far background.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 19, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
