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

Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse

Foster & Granger, architects

— 1909-1911 —

Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

1. Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse Marker

Inscription. Chicago Landmark

The Powerhouse is the best-surviving building associated with the Chicago and North Western Railway, one of the city’s most prominent historic railroads. While a utilitarian building, this grandly-scaled example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style is noteworthy for its giant round-arched windows and fine cream-colored brick walls laid to resemble rusticated stone. The powerhouse provided electricity and steam heat to the original terminal (demolished), standing passenger cars, and other nearby railroad facilities for over 50 years.

Designated on January 11, 2006
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 2006 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1837.

Location. 41° 53.169′ N, 87° 38.467′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in West Loop. It is on North Clinton Street north of West Lake Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 North Clinton Street, Chicago IL 60661, 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

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of this marker: Site of the Haymarket Tragedy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cesar Chavez (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wacker Drive (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Sauganash Hotel/Wigwam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln's Nomination Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Sauganash Hotel - Chicago - 1831 (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Morton Salt Company Headquarters (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

2. Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse Marker

The marker is to the left of the entrance.

Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

3. Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse

Detail on the Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

4. Detail on the Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,189 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 30, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.