Wicker Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Polish National Alliance Building

Joseph A. Slupkowski, architect; 1937-1938

— Chicago Landmark —

Polish National Alliance Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 8, 2024

1. Polish National Alliance Building Marker

Inscription. This Art Deco-style institutional building combines Art Deco-style rectilinear forms and abstract ornament with "Modern Classical" pilasters. It was built by the Polish National Alliance, historically the largest ethnic-Polish fraternal organization in the United States, and it was the group's headquarters from 1938 to 1976. Historically part of Chicago's "Polish Downtown" neighborhood, which was centered on the nearby Division-Ashland-Milwaukee intersection, the building exemplifies the broader significant history of ethnic fraternal organizations to the city's neighborhoods.

Designated on November 19, 2014
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor

Erected 2016 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 41° 54.213′ N, 87° 39.951′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Wicker Park. It is on Division Street east of Bosworth Avenue, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1520 West Division Street, Chicago IL 60642, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Home & Bank Trust Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bell from the First Holy Trinity Church (about 700 feet away); Elizabeth Peabody Public School Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Northwestern University Settlement House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Milly’s Pizza in the Pan (approx. 0.3 miles away); East Village (approx. half a mile away); The 1992 River West Gas Fires (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Based on Google Street View photos, the marker was added in 2016, a couple of years after it was designated as a Chicago Landmark.

The Division-Ashland-Milwaukee intersection referenced on the marker is about 100 yards west of here.

Regarding Polish National Alliance Building. The Polish National Alliance was founded in the 1930s with the goal of advocating for a free and independent Poland. It remains active today and is still headquartered in Chicago on the far northwest side (6100 N. Cicero), about eight miles northwest of here.

Also see . . .
1. Polish National Alliance official site. (Submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 8, 2024

2. Polish National Alliance Building Marker

2. Chicago Landmark Designation Report: Polish National Alliance Building. A 2014 report about the building, from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Excerpt: "The Polish National Alliance moved to their new purpose-built headquarters on West Division Street in 1938 and remained there until 1976. This 38-year period coincided with America’s second large wave of Polish emigration after World War II, and the subsequent growth of Chicago’s 'Polonia' into the city’s largest such ethnic community. The organization’s occupancy of the West Division building was also marked by its rise to national importance as a key player in the establishment of the Polish-American Congress, a nationwide federation of influential Polish-American groups formed in part to support the cause for a free and independent Poland. With over 300,000 members today, the Polish National Alliance remains the United States’ largest ethnic fraternal benefit society."

(Submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Polish National Alliance Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 8, 2024

3. Polish National Alliance Building

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.