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

The Chicago Board of Trade's Statues

Symbolizing Agriculture and Industry

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

1. The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statues Marker

Inscription. These two statues, one symbolizing agriculture and the other industry, once stood over the main entrance of the Board of Trade Building built in 1885. The statues greeted commodity traders and the public for 45 years. Thought lost forever when the building was demolished in 1929 to make way for the exchange’s current Art Deco structure, in 2005 they were graciously returned to their origins through the generosity and good will of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.

Forest Preserve District official uncovered the twelve-foot, five and one-half ton granite statues at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve near Downers Grove, Illinois in 1978. The forest preserve was the former estate of Arthur Cutten, a prominent Chicago Board of Trade speculator of the early 1900’s. How the statues made the journey from LaSalle Street to the Cutten estate is a mystery.

Now a part of the LaSalle Street Plaza, the exchange’s symbolic statues serve as daily reminders of the vitality and creativity that fuel growth of the city of Chicago and the Chicago Board of Trade.

Rededicated June 9, 2005 by the Chicago Board of Trade

Erected 2005 by Chicago Board of Trade.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 41° 52.676′ N, 87° 37.911′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on West Jackson Boulevard near South LaSalle Street, on the right when traveling east. Located in LaSalle Street Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago IL 60604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Standard Time System in the United States (within shouting distance of this marker); Rookery Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Jewish House of Worship (about 400 feet away); Continental and Commercial Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Dearborn Street (about 700 feet away); Fisher Building (about 800 feet away); Brooks Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Colony Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statues and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

2. The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statues and Marker

The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statue of Agriculture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

3. The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statue of Agriculture

The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statue of Commerce image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

4. The Chicago Board of Trade’s Statue of Commerce

View of the Chicago Board of Trade’s Statues from inside the LaSalle Street Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 29, 2011

5. View of the Chicago Board of Trade’s Statues from inside the LaSalle Street Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,405 times since then and 141 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 1, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.