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

James A. Sexton School

1882

— Chicago Landmark —

James A. Sexton School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2024

1. James A. Sexton School Marker

Inscription. This was one of Chicago's earliest high schools and survives as one of the city's oldest school buildings. The school is Italianate in design, and features the classical details, bracketed cornice, and elaborate pediment often associated with that style.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on June 7, 1978 by the City Council of Chicago
Michael A. Bilandic, Mayor

Erected 1978 by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Hispanic Americans. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 41° 54.087′ N, 87° 38.03′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Near North. It is on West Wendell Street near North Wells Street. The marker is near the south entrance to Ruben Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 West Wendell Street, Chicago IL 60610, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Ellis Chesbrough (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mahlon D. Ogden Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington Square Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Washington Square Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Walgreens (approx. ¼ mile away); The Churches of Old Town (#8) (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Town Architecture Reflects Neighborhood History (#10) (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Barmaids Ordinance" (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. One of Chicago's newest and most prestigious high schools, Walter Payton College Prep, is across Wells Street from this school.

Regarding James A. Sexton School. When completed in the 1880s,

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2024

2. James A. Sexton School Marker

the school was known as North Division High School, which closed in 1899 amid overcrowding. In 1902 the school reopened as Sexton Elementary School, named for a former Chicago postmaster, and stayed open until 1974. In 1978 it was declared a Chicago Landmark and reopened as a training facility for teachers and students; in 1993 it became Salazar School, named after a Mexican-American journalist.

Also see . . . Chicago Historic Schools Blog: Salazar Elementary Bilingual Education Center. A look at the historic building that today houses Ruben Salazar Elementary School.

Excerpt: "School architect J.S. Ender designed the 3-1/2 story Italianate style high school. Ender created a vibrant appearance by using red brick with lively limestone elements. Rising above a rusticated stone base, the brick building has a projecting central mass that divides the primary façade into three major components. These are demarcated by rectangular brick pilasters with limestone capitals, most of which are plain, although one pair is quite fanciful. Limestone hoods of diverse shapes cap a series of long narrow windows at each level. An elaborate
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2024

3. Ruben Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center
cornice extends across the roofline. A wildly-ornate parapet crowns the cornice above the entranceway."

(Submitted on July 26, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Ruben Salazar School and Walter Payton College Prep image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 26, 2024

4. Ruben Salazar School and Walter Payton College Prep

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 535 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.