1922 Chicago, ILL. [Blueprint Map of State Street]
By: H.C. Hofman
Date: November 27, 1922
Dimensions: 39.75 x 12.5 inches (101 x 32 cm)
A one-of-a-kind blueprint map of State Street, Chicago, IL from Lake St. to Van Buren St. This is the only known example we could find of this fascinating map the presents some of Chicago's most famous tourist spots, world renowned for its shopping and historic theatres, so much so, that Frank Sinatra immortalized this urban destination in his song "Chicago," as "State Street that great street..." where "They do things that they never do on Broadway."
At the top of the map we find a stylized manuscript title with a scale of 1"=100' and population statistics for the city that show a growth of 2,185,283 residents in 1910 to 2,185,283 residents in 1920. Street car lines run the length of State street with intersecting lines at Lake, Randolph, Washington, Madison, and Van Buren.
When examining this map, one must take their time as every business that existed in 1922 is named with their entrances and any staircases noted. Some such business include well-known department stores such as, Marshall Fields, Mandel Brothers, Hillman's, Carson Pirie Scott, Rothchild Company, The Fair, and Boston Department Store. Theatres depicted in the map include the State Lake Theatre, Randolph Theatre, the Orpheum, and the Rialto. Other important staples of Chicago that cannot be ignored include the Masonic Temple, Chicago Tribune, and the Palmer House Hotel.
1920s View of State Street Looking North from Madison Ave. (not included)
The map was folded four times over and appears to have been produced for A.W. Baily & Co. Real Estate and Insurance, located in the Flatiron Building of New York. The publication this map may have come from is unknown and could very well have been produced separately. Through our research, we have been unable to find any other example of this map or a comparable example.
Condition: Map is in A condition with some minor tears and minimal loss along the margins near a few folds. Blue color is deep and white text is very legible.
Inventory #12635
1200 W. 35th St. #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622