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

Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 11, 2024

1. Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Marker

Inscription. Dedicated to the men and women of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America

Our great union was formed here in Chicago in 1881 by Irish immigrant Peter J. McGuire, "Father of Labor Day" and leader in the fight for the eight-hour workday.

The Brotherhood's Chicago District offices first opened on this property in 1925.

Erected 2002 by Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 41° 53.654′ N, 87° 37.66′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. It is on Erie Street east of State Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is to the right of the building's Erie Street entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 East Erie Street, Chicago IL 60611, 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

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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: Daniel Chester French (within shouting distance of this marker); Ransom R. Cable House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Cass (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln (about 300 feet away); John B. Murphy Memorial (about 400 feet away); William Butler Ogden (about 500 feet away); McCormick Double House (about 500 feet away); Tree Studios (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters. The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters was renamed in 2021 as the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, after it merged with the St. Louis-Kansas City Regional Council. It has more than 50,000 members.

Also see . . .
1. Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council. (Submitted on December 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. History of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.

Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters front entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 11, 2024

2. Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters front entrance

The cornerstone below and to the left of the marker includes a time capsule.

A history of the national organization includes a biography of Peter J. McGuire.

Excerpt: "Born to Irish immigrants, McGuire grew up on New York City’s Lower East Side. He left school at 11 to become the family’s breadwinner and later became an apprentice in the Haines Piano Shop. There McGuire was exposed to long hours, low wages, and difficult working conditions—reinforcing the pro-labor views he had absorbed as a sometime student at Cooper Union, a gathering spot for radicals. McGuire went on to lead a successful fight against wage cuts at Haines.

"Ultimately harassed out of his position, McGuire began moving from job to job as a journeyman. When work dried up during the 1870s depression, he began to march, speak, and rouse crowds of his fellow unemployed. In August 1881, he organized a Chicago convention, where 36 carpenters from 11 U.S. cities united to form a union for carpenters, and the UBC was born. A few months later, carpenters in Hamilton, Ontario became the first Canadian UBC members, and Toronto Carpenters joined in early 1882."

(Submitted on December 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 11, 2024

3. Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Marker

12 E. Erie St. building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 11, 2024

4. 12 E. Erie St. building

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.