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

The Drake Hotel

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

1. The Drake Hotel Marker

Inscription. The Drake Hotel has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places

This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America

May 8, 1980
By the United States Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.

Location. 41° 54.009′ N, 87° 37.4′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Magnificent Mile. It is on East Walton Place east of Michigan Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is near the main Walton Place entrance into the hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 East Walton Place, 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 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: East Lake Shore Drive (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 227 East Walton Place Apartment Building (about 700 feet away); Bryan Lathrop House (about 800 feet away); Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Senator William J. Connors (approx. 0.2 miles

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away); North Loop Post No. 949 War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eli M. Schulman Playground (approx. 0.2 miles away); 49 East Cedar Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The marker was somewhat obscured by decorative plants when visited in February 2025. A Historic Hotels of America plaque can be found on the other side of the door.

Regarding The Drake Hotel. Tracy and John Drake acquired the land from the Palmer family—owners of the famed Palmer House hotel, which still stands in Chicago's Loop—and opened this hotel, designed by the Chicago firm of Marshall and Fox, in 1920. The hotel, with a prominent location along the bend in Lake Shore Drive, is owned today by Hilton.

Also see . . .
1. The Drake Hotel: History. A history on the hotel's official website

Excerpt: "Conceptualized by famed architect Benjamin Howard Marshall, The Drake Hotel came to fruition when John B. Drake and Tracy Corey Drake financed the project in 1919. The doors of The Drake Hotel opened on New Year’s Eve the following year to
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

2. The Drake Hotel
The marker is to the right of the door beneath "The Drake."
2,000 of Chicago’s most distinguished citizens."

(Submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago’s Grand Hotels: The Drake. From Classic Chicago Magazine

Excerpt: "The Drake has had its share of international VIP guests: Winston Churchill in 1929; Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip,1959; 1966; Princess Grace, 1977; Prince Charles, 1977; Princess Margaret, 1979; Princess Diana, 1996. Even, according to hotel history, it was once host to Prince Felix Yusupov (a surname with many spellings), the Russian aristocrat who in 1916 murdered Rasputin, the Siberian monk thought by some to have been responsible for the Russian Revolution."

(Submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The Drake Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

3. The Drake Hotel

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

4. The Drake Hotel

The Drake is one of the properties included in the East Lake Shore Drive Historic District, which has been designated a Chicago Landmark. The north side of the hotel, pictured here on the right side of this photograph, overlooks Oak Street Beach on Lake Michigan, located at the "bend" in Lake Shore Drive.

The Drake Hotel shortly after its opening image. Click for full size.

Kaufmann & Fabry Co., photographer; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-155637), circa 1923

5. The Drake Hotel shortly after its opening

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.