South Loop Printing House District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Loop Printing House District
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Location | Roughly bounded by Taylor, Polk, Wells, Congress and State Sts., Chicago, Illinois |
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Architectural style | Chicago |
NRHP reference No. | 78001130 |
Added to NRHP | March 2, 1978 |
The South Loop Printing House District is a special historic area. It is located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. This district is known for its many old printing buildings. These buildings were once part of Chicago's big printing industry.
The district covers an area roughly between Congress, Polk, State, Taylor, and Wells Streets. It includes 28 important buildings. From the 1880s to the 1930s, Chicago had the largest printing industry in the Midwest. This area was perfect for printing companies. It was close to Dearborn Station, a major train station. Also, the land blocks were thin. This allowed for tall, narrow printing buildings. Some buildings are large and fancy. Many others are smaller and look similar. These were used by smaller printing businesses.
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What is the South Loop Printing House District?
The South Loop Printing House District is a historic district. This means it's a special area with buildings that are important to history. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This listing helps protect the area's history.
Why is this District Important?
This district shows a key part of Chicago's past. It highlights the city's role as a center for printing. Many books, newspapers, and other printed materials were made here. The buildings tell a story of how printing technology grew. They also show how businesses operated long ago.
How is it Different from Other Districts?
It's important to know that this district is not the same as the Printing House Row District. That's another historic area in Chicago. Both districts have important printing buildings. However, they are separate places. Each one tells a unique part of Chicago's printing story.
Famous Buildings in the District
Some buildings in the South Loop Printing House District are very famous. They are even listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places. Two examples are the Pontiac Building and the Manhattan Building. These buildings are great examples of the architecture from that time.