South Loop in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cermak Road Bridge

Chicago Landmark District

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2026

1. Cermak Road Bridge Marker

Inscription. These four massive industrial buildings clustered around the City's last-remaining double-leaf Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge form the finest intact, early 20th-century riverfront precinct in Chicago. Originally housing wholesale grocers, window shade manufacturers and other enterprises, the buildings represent an almost vanished aspect of the City's historic industrial character.

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2006.

Location. 41° 51.163′ N, 87° 38.363′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in South Loop. It is at the intersection of West Cermak Road and South Grove Street, on the right when traveling east on West Cermak Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American

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Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: A different marker also named Cermak Road Bridge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chinese American Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Confucius 551-479 B.C. The Great Educator, Philosopher and Statesman of China (approx. ¼ mile away); Ping Tom (approx. 0.4 miles away); Material Recycling / Reciclaje de Material (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dr. Sun Yet-San (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago's Chinatown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ping Tom Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Nine Dragon Wall in Chicago’s Chinatown (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker.

Cermak Road Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2026

2. Cermak Road Bridge

The marker is just to the rear of the photo.

As is typical for this style of marker from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, this sign includes a map of the historic district, and both the front and back are identical. A duplicate of this sign can be found on the west side of the bridge.

Cermak Road is also known by its earlier name, 22nd Street. It was renamed in March 1933 in honor of Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who a month earlier was assassinated by a gunman who had been aiming for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Regarding Cermak Road Bridge. This small historic district includes both the namesake bridge, which traverses the Chicago River's South Branch, and four buildings near it. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in April 2006.

Also see . . .
1. Cermak Road (22nd Street) Bridge. (Submitted on October 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Cermak Road Bridge District. This page by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks includes photos of the buildings included in the historic district. (Submitted on October 12, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Cermak Road Bridge Marker, facing north towards downtown Chicago image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2026

3. Cermak Road Bridge Marker, facing north towards downtown Chicago

Cermak Road Bridge Marker, facing east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2026

4. Cermak Road Bridge Marker, facing east

Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congress

5. Cermak Road Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 10, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on October 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.