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

Steer Head from Chicago Stock Exchange Gate

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 14, 2026

1. Steer Head from Chicago Stock Exchange Gate Marker

Inscription. Steer Head from Chicago Stock Exchange Gate
Given by Fredericka Meyer
In memory of Walter S. Mander
Dedicated July 2001

Erected 2001.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2001.

Location. 41° 55.037′ N, 87° 38.006′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It can be reached from North Stockton Drive 0.3 miles north of La Salle Drive (Illinois Route 64), on the right when traveling north. The marker is near the cattle yard in the Farm-in-the-Zoo section of Lincoln Park Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60614, 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: Native Nature (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennison Boulder Monument (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hidden Truths (about 400 feet away); Learning to Live Together

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(about 500 feet away); 1908-1914 N. Clark St. (about 500 feet away); Men’s and Ladies’ Comfort Station (about 500 feet away); Landmark Landings (about 700 feet away); “Rites of Spring” (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lincoln Park Transitions (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Steer Head from Chicago Stock Exchange Gate. Information about this steer head and exactly where it was at the Chicago Stock Exchange could not be immediately determined. See the commentary below for more discussion.

Also see . . . About Walter Mander. The Walter S. Mander Foundation writes about its namesake, who fled Nazi Germany and became a meat industry leader in Chicago.

Excerpt: "In 1971, the Chicago Stockyards closed but Lincoln Meat Company continued
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 14, 2026

2. Steer Head from Chicago Stock Exchange Gate Marker
In the far background is the equestrian statue of Ulysses S. Grant.
to purchase and slaughter cattle until 1990, when Wally closed the company due to increased competition in the industry. Lincoln Meat’s companion business, Lincoln Provision, continued as a meat processor and distributor and is still in business today, operating at 824 W. 38th Place in Chicago."

(Submitted on February 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Additional commentary.
1. Chicago Stock Exchange or Union Stock Yard?
The Chicago Stock Exchange was built in 1894 on South La Salle Street and was designed by Adler and Sullivan; despite its acclaim, it was torn down and replaced by a modern building in 1972. The ornate gate that was once at the building's entrance was salvaged and is preserved today next to the northeast corner of the Art Institute of Chicago. However, no photos of a bull adorning that well-documented gate could be found.

On the other hand, a different famous gate in Chicago was actually known for having a steer's head over its entrance: that of the Union Stock Yard

Farm-in-the-Zoo section of Lincoln Park Zoo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 14, 2026

3. Farm-in-the-Zoo section of Lincoln Park Zoo

The cattle head is in the distance in the center of the photo.

. In fact, that still-standing south side landmark, the gateway to the meatpacking industry that made Chicago "hog butcher for the world" and basically all that remains of the stock yards themselves, still features one at its top. (The link above includes a photo of a circa-1885 cast-iron bull's head that once was affixed to the gate and is today on display at the Chicago History Museum.)

Furthermore, Walter S. Mander, to whom this marker is dedicated, was a meatpacking industry leader whose company, Lincoln Meat Company, operated a slaughterhouse at 3800 S. Halsted, in the neighborhood of the stock yards.

Considering all of this, it's certainly within the realm of possibility—and indeed, maybe even likely—that this steer head was not actually from Chicago's famed stock exchange, but instead from its perhaps even more famous stock yards.

— Submitted February 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.

Chicago Stock Exchange buliding image. Click for full size.

Barnes-Crosby Collection, Chicago History Museum (BC-008), circa 1907

4. Chicago Stock Exchange buliding

This Adler and Sullivan-designed building opened in 1894. It was torn down in 1972. The ornate gate on seen on the left side of this photo was salvaged and is now displayed outside the Art Institute of Chicago.

Union Stock Yard Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 2, 2024

5. Union Stock Yard Gate

Visible over the entrance is a steer's head. Was the steer's head on display at Lincoln Park Zoo today actually from the Union Stock Yard gate rather than the gate at the Chicago Stock Exchange?

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 59 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on April 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.