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

Prominent Residents of Old Town (#12)

Prominent Residents of Old Town Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Doug Green, May 10, 2018

1. Prominent Residents of Old Town Marker

Inscription. From its beginnings as a Chicago Neighborhood in the 1800s through the 21st century, Old Town has been home to a variety of residents who have contributed to American culture. George K. Spoor - early 1900s filmmaker, operated Essanay Film Company in Old Town. Johnny Weissmuller - 1928 gold medalist in swimming. Best known as Tarzan in early films. Boyhood home located at 1921 North Cleveland. Haddon Sundbloom - artist and creator of the Quaker Oats man and Coca-Cola Santa of the 1930s and 1940s. Ivan Albright - important artist of the 20th century, known for his painting The Picture of Dorian Grey.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 41° 54.436′ N, 87° 38.069′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Near North Side. It is on North Wells Street near West Schiller Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1351 N Wells St, Chicago IL 60610, 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: Western Wheel Works Factory and Dr. Scholl Footwear Factory (#4) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Benjamin Franklin School (#5) (about 300

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feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Town and The Great Fire (#3) (about 400 feet away); Early Businesses in Old Town (#6) (about 400 feet away); The Chicago Fire Department - Engine Company No. 27 (#7) (about 600 feet away); Old Town Architecture Reflects Neighborhood History (#10) (about 600 feet away); The Churches of Old Town (#8) (about 700 feet away); Early Prominent Residents of Old Town (#2) (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 29, 2025, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.