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

42nd Precinct/Town Hall Police Station

Unknown architect; 1907

— Chicago Landmark —

42nd Precinct/Town Hall Police Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

1. 42nd Precinct/Town Hall Police Station Marker

Inscription. The 42nd/Town Hall Police Station is one of the oldest police staions in the City and represents a rare, remaining example of this building type. The building was built in 1907 on the site of the demolished Lake View Township Town Hall, hence the building's long-term common name, "Town Hall Police Station." Constructed in the Classical Revival style of architecture, the building retains a high level of integrity including the original carved limestone ornament around the entryways and a finely-molded copper cornice at the roofline.

Designated on June 6, 2013
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 41° 56.847′ N, 87° 38.993′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lakeview. It is on Addison Street west of Halsted Street, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or

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near this postal address: 800 West Addison Street, Chicago IL 60613, 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: American Veterans for Equal Rights Military Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Jane Addams (within shouting distance of this marker); David Kato Kisule (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Spirit (within shouting distance of this marker); Lorraine Hansberry (within shouting distance of this marker); Fr. Mychal Judge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frida Kahlo (about 300 feet away); Alvin Ailey (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding 42nd Precinct/Town Hall Police Station. While several firehouses across the city have

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

2. 42nd Precinct/Town Hall Police Station Marker

been designated as Chicago Landmarks, this is Chicago's only police station to receive this status. The Town of Lake View was annexed into Chicago in 1889.

This building was used as a police station until 2010, when a modern building was constructed next door on Addison. The building was then renovated for use as a senior housing facility for the LGBTQ+ population.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The "Calaboose" marker, about ¾ of a mile northwest of here at Clark and Byron streets, likely describes the police station referenced on this marker, and was thus erroneously placed in 1937.

Also see . . . Landmark Designation Report: Town Hall Police Station. The building was designated as a Chicago Landmark about three years after the police moved out of the building into a new one next door. (Submitted on November 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Lake View's original Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-027177)

3. Lake View's original Town Hall

This original Town Hall was replaced by the current police station building around 1907.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.