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

Oliver Building

Holabird and Roche, architects; 1907

— Chicago Landmark —

Oliver Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

1. Oliver Building Marker

Inscription. Constructed as headquarters for the Oliver Typewriter Company, this Chicago School-style building clearly expresses its internal steel frame through a grid-like exterior. Classical cast-iron ornament subtly advertises the company's name and product. The top two floors were added in 1920 by the original architects.

Designated on May 9, 1984
Harold Washington, Mayor

Erected 1984 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 41° 53.087′ N, 87° 37.759′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on North Dearborn Street north of West Randolph Street. The marker is on the right side of the building, near the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 159 North Dearborn Street, 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. Couch Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Harris and Selwyn Theaters (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Couch Place

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Daley Center (about 400 feet away); The Rotary Club of Chicago (about 400 feet away); Eternal Flame Memorial (about 500 feet away); Chicago Theater (about 500 feet away); Page Brothers Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Oliver Building. The Oliver Typewriter company was famous for its "visible print" typewriter, which enabled the user to see what he/she was typing. Founder Thomas Oliver was a Canadian church minister who moved to Iowa and began developing his own typewriter for writing his sermons; he received a patent for it in 1891. Within a few years he had sold majority ownership to a Chicago businessman, who established the company's headquarters downtown. In 1907, the headquarters were moved to this building. The company's finances struggled throughout the 1920s, and it went defunct in 1928.

Also see . . . Oliver Typewriters. A website devoted to Oliver Typewriters (Submitted on March 12, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

2. Oliver Building Marker

Oliver Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

3. Oliver Building

The marker is near the right side entrance of the building.

Oliver Building ornamentation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

4. Oliver Building ornamentation

Oliver Typewriter image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institution), October 23, 2011

5. Oliver Typewriter

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 12, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.