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

The Chandler's Building

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 25, 2025

1. The Chandler's Building Marker

Inscription. Constructed May, 1929
Edgar Ovet Blake, Architect (1866-1953)

Renovated 1999

Designated an Evanston Historic Landmark
February 22, 1999

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1999.

Location. 42° 2.789′ N, 87° 40.883′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Davis Street near Orrington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 Davis Street, Evanston IL 60201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also 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: PolioPlus (within shouting distance of this marker); Fountain Square Veterans Memorial Wall (within shouting

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distance of this marker); The First House of Worship in Evanston (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Northwestern University's First Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Methodist Church of Evanston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) / Woman's Christian Temperance Union (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (approx. 0.4 miles away); Evanston War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.

Regarding The Chandler's Building. Chandler's was an Evanston store best known as a seller of school suplies. This five-story building in downtown Evanston represented a 1929 expansion of its store, wrapped around an 1882 building it owned that had previously housed a meat market. That smaller building was torn down in 1999 amid the bigger building's renovation.

Also see . . . A history of Chandler’s in Evanston. On the Evanston Round Table website, the Evanston History Center looks at the history of the city's Chandler's store.

Excerpt: "Chandler’s store in Evanston was in business for a century. Chandler’s first opened its doors
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 25, 2025

2. The Chandler's Building
The small plaza in front of the L-shaped building was the location of an older, shorter building that originally housed a meat market and later was used by Chandler's. It was torn down during the building's 1999 renovation.
in 1895 and closed in 1995. Chandler’s was founded by Henry Ellsworth Chandler, known as H.E. Chandler. Over the years, his business was called by various names, including 'H.E. Chandler & Co.' and 'Chandler’s University Bookstore.' It would finally become known as Chandler’s Department Store, or simply 'Chandler’s.' Also over the years, the business grew and expanded. Ultimately it would be run by members of three generations of the Chandler family. By the time the flagship Evanston store closed in 1995, there were seven regional Chandler’s stores in operation."

(Submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The Chandler's Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 25, 2025

3. The Chandler's Building

A photo from across the street at Fountain Square

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.