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

Holden Block

Stephen Vaughn Shipman, architect; 1872

— Chicago Landmark —

Holden Block Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 28, 2024

1. Holden Block Marker

Inscription. This building is a rare-surviving Italianate-style "commercial block," or commercial loft building, built when the Near West Side was undergoing rapid development immediately after the Chicago Fire of 1871. Its street façade is constructed of "Buena Vista" sandstone, an unusual building stone in the context of Chicago architecture. The building's developer, Charles C.P. Holden, held several political offices, including Chicago alderman, City Council president, and Cook County Board chairman.

Designated on May 4, 2011
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 2011 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission, and the The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 41° 52.902′ N, 87° 39.196′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in West Loop. It can be reached from the intersection of West Madison Street and North Carpenter Street, on the

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right when traveling east. The marker is in the building's central lobby, visible and readable through the front door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1029 West Madison Street, Chicago IL 60607, 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: Mary Bartelme, Illinois’ First Female Judge (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Schoenbrun and Co. Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Walgreens 3000th Drugstore (approx. 0.3 miles away); Charles R. Walgreen Sr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Healing Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); Herb Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); Native Species (approx. 0.4 miles away); Takeaway (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Holden Block. Charles

Holden Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 28, 2024

2. Holden Block

Note "1872" and "CCP Holden" engraved at the top of the building.

P. Holden, the building's namesake, was born in New Hampshire and arrived with his family in Illinois as a child in 1836, eventually settling in Will County, about 30 miles south of the city. After a stint in the army during the Mexican War and then four years in California as a Gold Rush prospector, Holden returned to Chicago in the mid-1850s and soon became one of the city's top political figures. He was president of the city council at the time of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He died in Matteson, Illinois, south of Chicago, and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Joliet.

The date of the building's designation as a Chicago Landmark (May 4, 2011) is exactly 12 days before the end of Richard M. Daley's 22-year stint as Chicago's mayor.

Also see . . .
1. Charles C.P. Holden. An 1895 biography of Charles Holden (Submitted on June 28, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Quarrying History and Use of the Buena Vista Freestone, South-Central Ohio.

Excerpt: “Historically, it has been used for a variety of items, including entire buildings, canal structures, fence posts, and laundry tubs. Some 19th-century
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 28, 2024

3. Holden Block
structures built with this stone remain in cities where it was once commonly used.”

(Submitted on October 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Stephen Vaughn Shipman, 1825-1905. A bio of the Holden Block’s architect from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Excerpt: “Returning to Madison in 1865, he completed work on the Mendota hospital, designed the dome and rotunda of the state capitol, was the architect for the Madison post office, the Dane County court house, and the First National Bank. Shipman also designed numerous other public buildings in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. After 1870 he maintained his offices in Chicago.“

(Submitted on October 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Charles C.P. Holden (1827-1905) image. Click for full size.

C. D. Mosher, photographer; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-024446)

4. Charles C.P. Holden (1827-1905)

The handwritten caption at the bottom of this undated photo says, "Vice Pres Joliet + Mendota Short Line Rail Road"

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 28, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.