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

The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center

Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, architects

— 1897 —

The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 24, 2017

1. The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center Marker

Inscription. This building was the first permanent structure of the city's public library system. Designed to be a grand civic building, its exterior appearance and its interior spaces are based on classical Greek and Italian Renaissance precedents. The library is extensively decorated with mosaics, marbles, bronze, and two stained-glass Tiffany domes.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on November 15, 1976 by the City Council of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 41° 53.002′ N, 87° 37.496′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is at the intersection of East Washington Street and North Michigan Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 78 E Washington St, Chicago IL 60602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Michigan Boulevard (within shouting distance of this marker); Pittsfield Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Jean Baptiste Beaubien (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jewelers Row

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(about 300 feet away); Aaron Montgomery Ward (about 400 feet away); The Sisters of Mercy (about 600 feet away); Old Saint Mary's Cathedral (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Jewelers Row (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Cultural Center. City of Chicago (Submitted on November 27, 2017.)

2. Chicago Cultural Center. Wikipedia (Submitted on November 27, 2017.)

3. Chicago Cultural Center. Chicago Architecture Foundation (Submitted on November 27, 2017.)

The Chicago Cultural Center (south entrance) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 24, 2017

2. The Chicago Cultural Center (south entrance)

The Chicago Cultural Center (north entrance) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 24, 2017

3. The Chicago Cultural Center (north entrance)

The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center image. Click for full size.

Chicago Public Library Digital Collections, circa 1900

4. The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center

This historic photo, taken not long after its opening in 1897 as Chicago's first central library, shows the southern entrance to the building where this historical marker is now located to the right of the main doors.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 236 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.