This image shows one of the eating room of the Prehn and Babcock Confectionery, located on the campus of the University of Illinois, in Urbana.
There is no description on the back of the card.
It is understood that the confectionery was built in the summer of 1928. It is not known if the establishment still exists.
This card likely dates to the 1930s.
Category: Postcards From Another Millennium
Postcards from various decades of the 20th century.
Butterfly Dam, Lockport, Illinois
This image is a colorized photo of the end of the Chicago Drainage Canal 28 miles from Chicago.
The description states:
Butterfly Dam at Lockport, the end of the Chicago Drainage Canal is 28 miles from Chicago. The length of the completed main channel is 28 miles. The right of way approximates 6,500 acres and cast nearly $2,500,000.00. The entire cost of the canal was over $30,000,000. By use of the drainage canal the current of the Chicago River is reversed and the pure water of Lake Michigan dilutes with its enormous volume and active flow the sewage of the city of Chicago, and bears it away in harmless form.
–In other words, this is a sewage drain that uses Lake Michigan water to dilute the concentration of the sewage and discharge it into the Des Plaines River. While this is far from a desirable treatment method, it is still in use and continues to direct sewage down the Mississippi watershed.
This card was used and is dated 1926.
YMCA Hotel Lounge, Chicago, Illinois
This image shows an interior shot of the YMCA Hotel on South Wabash Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. This is one of several lounge areas in the hotel, originally constructed as housing for young single men.
The description states:
THE YMCA HOTEL, located at 826 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, is a department of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Chicago. If offers 2,000 fireproof rooms with showers on each floor, spacious lobbies and lounges, daily entertainments and programs, and usual hotel features. Rates 75ยข and $1.00 per day. Membership in the YMCA is not required.
–This hotel was converted into general accommodations in the 1930s and closed in the late 1970s, reopening after renovation as an apartment building.
This card likely dates from the 1910s.
YMCA Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
This card is an illustration of the massive YMCA Hotel as it existed in Chicago, Illinois. It was originally intended for accommodating single men at inexpensive rates, but with the depression expanded it’s clientele to the large numbers needing housing.
The description states simply:
Y.M.C.A. HOTEL – CHICAGO
WABASH AVE NEAR 8TH ST.
–The hotel was closed with the declining fortunes of the surrounding neighborhood in 1979, but has been reopened since 1985 as an apartment building.
This card was used and is dated 31 May 1920.
Federal Building and Towers, Chicago World’s Fair
This illustration shows an artist’s depiction of the Federal Building as it looked during the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933. It was held in Chicago to commemorate a century since the founding of the city. It was also known as the Century of Progress.
The description states:
THREE FLUTED TOWERS AROUND DOME
OF FEDERAL BUILDING
CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR
These three fluted towers 150 feet high around the dome of the Federal Building represent the three branches of government — administrative, legislative and executive. The towers are illuminated at night.
1833 Century of Progress 1933
Chicago World’s Fair
–The more familiar description of the the branches of government are judicial, legislative and executive. The building was designed by the Bennet, Burnham and Holabird firm.
This postcard was used and is dated 25 September, 1933. Other postcards of this event are here.
Chicago Temple Methodist Church, Chicago, Illinois
This image shows only the spire of the largest church in Chicago, and the tallest building in the city when completed in 1924, the Chicago Temple of the Methodist Church.
The description states:
CHICAGO TEMPLE (First Methodist)
the world’s tallest and oldest church, is located in the heart of the downtown Loop, having occupied this site for 116 years. Its spire, floodlighted at night, is an impressive sight. The Deagan Carillon is heard throughout the downtown area. The “Sky Parsonage” and the “Sky Chapel” are located in the tower, 330 and 400 feet above the street. An active weekday program culminates on Sunday, with overflow congregations coming from all the states and many countries around the world. The church is open daily for meditation and prayer.
Sunday Services: 11:00 A.M. and 7:30 P.M.
Noonday Meditations 12:15–12:45 P.M.
Tours Daily 2:00 P.M.
–While the building retains the title of tallest church building, the tallest church is now Ulm Minster. This building was the tallest in Chicago until passed by the Chicago Board of Trade building in 1930.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
North Park Covenant Church, Chicago, Illinois
This image is of the North Park Covenant Church, the main religious body of the North Park University campus. The congregation is part of the larger Evangelical Covenant Church, which founded North Park College in 1891.
The description states:
NORTH PARK COVENANT CHURCH
5250 North Christiana Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
–The church still operates with the same affiliation today. This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Science and Learning Center, North Park College, Chicago, Illinois
This image shows the then new facility for science education built on the North Park College campus in 1966.
The description states:
SCIENCE-LEARNING CENTER
Erected in 1966 on the North Park College campus, Chicago, the Science-Learning Center is a multi-purpose complex comprised of the Carlson Memorial Tower (seven story classroom unit), Wikholm Memorial Laboratories (ground level), and Lecture Hall-Auditorium.
–The building is no longer the main science center, as a new building has recently been opened. It remains the largest classroom building with science labs on the ground floor. Some space has been reallocated to an art gallery.
As indicated in the description, this image dates from 1966.
Olson Park, Chicago, Illinois
The Olson Park and Waterfall was located next to and part of a commercial enterprise known as Olson Rug Company. It was built as a sort of memorial to the Native Americans, who performed here during its existence.
The description states:
OLSON RUG COMPANY
2800 N. Crawford (Pulaski) at Diversey
CHICAGO
Tumbling waterfalls…hundreds of rare trees, shrubs, plants and flowers…clear pools…these and other beautiful sights are open free to visitors of the Olson Rug Co. Rock Gardens. This Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of Rugs, Carpets and Broadlooms dealing direct with the home, is known for low Factory-to-You Prices.
–As can be inferred from the text above, the card shown here was a promotional device for the company’s product. The park was located on the Northwest side of the city, and built in 1935. It remained until the business and property were acquired by Marshall Field in 1971. The park was demolished and replaced with a parking lot, used now for the Macy’s store in the old building.
As noted in the caption below the image, this card dates from the 1940s.
Humboldt Park, Chicago, Illinois
This image shows a series of flower beds in bloom in Humboldt Park, on the west side of Chicago.
The description states:
FLOWER GARDEN, HUMBOLDT PARK
The Chicago Park District is noted for the beauty of its outdoor floral displays. One of the large exhibits shown here is the flower garden in Humboldt Park, 50,000 square feet in area.
–The park is at some remove from the ones discussed previously, which are on or near the Chicago waterfront. This park was opened in 1877 and is on the register of historic places. This card likely dates from the 1950s.