Union Stock Yard Gate facts for kids
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Old Stone Gate, Chicago Union Stock Yards
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The entry to the Union Stock Yards c. 1910
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 Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Exchange Ave., Chicago, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1879 |
| Architect | Burnham & Root |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000451 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | May 29, 1981 |
The Union Stock Yard Gate is a famous entrance in Chicago. It stands on Exchange Avenue at Peoria Street. This gate was once the main way into the huge Union Stock Yards.
A famous architect named John Wellborn Root likely designed the gate around 1875. He was part of the firm Burnham and Root. This gate is the only important part of the old stockyards that is still standing today. In 1981, it was named a National Historic Landmark. The area around the gate also has a special memorial for Chicago's firefighters.
Discovering the Gate's Design
The Union Stock Yard Gate is on the South Side of Chicago. You can find it in a plaza where Exchange Avenue meets Peoria Street. This spot was the main eastern entrance to the stockyards. The stockyards themselves covered hundreds of acres to the west.
The gate is made of limestone. It has a large arch in the middle. Two smaller arches are on either side of it. The main arch is about 16 feet (5 meters) wide. It is also about 17 feet (5.2 meters) high. The roof on top makes the whole structure about 32 feet (9.8 meters) tall.
The supports for the central arch have cool, cone-shaped stone towers on top. The two smaller side arches are not exactly the same size. One is 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide, and the other is 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) wide. But they look similar to the main arch, just smaller. One of these side arches still has its original iron gate. The main gate used to have a heavy iron gate called a portcullis.
The Gate's Amazing History
The Union Stock Yard started in 1865. It was built to bring together Chicago's growing meatpacking businesses. At first, many buildings were made of wood. Later, some parts were rebuilt with stone. This gate was built in 1879.
It was probably designed by Daniel Burnham and John W. Root. They designed other buildings in the stockyards too. In 1934, a big fire destroyed most of the stockyards. But this gate and a small gatehouse (which is now gone) were the only main buildings to survive!
The limestone gate was fixed up in the 1970s. Today, it reminds us of Chicago's important past in the meat packing industry. Above the main arch, there is a famous stone bust. It shows "Sherman," a favorite prize-winning bull owned by John B. Sherman.
The gate became an official Chicago Landmark on February 24, 1972. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 1972. Then, it was named a National Historic Landmark on May 29, 1981.
Right behind the gate, there is a statue. It is a memorial for Chicago firefighters. This statue is there because of the terrible Chicago Union Stock Yards Fire. Around the base of the statue, you can see the names of all Chicago firefighters who died while on duty.
Images for kids
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Current view of the Gate. Firefighters memorial in the center background
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Memorial honoring firefighters fallen in the 1910 Stock Yard fire. Located directly behind The Gate
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Detail of the gate of the Stockyard Industrial Park, featuring a miniature of The Gate is on W 43rd ST at S Ashland AVE.
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Postcard of Union Stock Yards, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1901-1907
