River North in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

(Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse

Unknown, architects; 1887

— Chicago Landmark —

(Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

1. (Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse Marker

Inscription. Built during a period of rapid expansion of the Chicago Fire Department, this red-brick firehouse exemplifies the rapidly-growing city's commitment to the health and safety of its citizens. The firehouse is distinguished by handsome brick detailing and an exceptionally intact "storefront," ornamented with elaborate wood trim, incised metal columns, and rusticated stone base, which originally accommodated horse-drawn fire wagons.

Designated on December 12, 2007
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 2018 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 41° 53.454′ N, 87° 38.122′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. It is on West Illinois Street east of North Franklin Street. The marker is on the right (west) side of the building, near the front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 228 West Illinois Street, Chicago IL 60654, 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: LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Loop da Loop, 2018 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Assumption School (approx. 0.2 miles away); 25,000th Convenience Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reid, Murdoch & Company Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Chicago River Fish Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Chicago Bridges (approx. ¼ mile away); The Reversal of the Chicago River (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The firehouse is one of roughly 20 former or current fire department structures designated as Chicago Landmarks by Chicago's City Council. It has housed restaurants in recent years but was unoccupied when visited in March 2024.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

2. (Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse Marker

(Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

3. (Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse

Photographed by Sean Flynn, March 12, 2024

4. (Former) Engine Company 42 Firehouse

Chicago's elevated train track runs near the firehouse building along Franklin Street; a Brown Line train is passing by in this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.