Through the 1910s and 20s it was popular in Chicago to clad your building in green and white glazed brick. Below are just five examples. To give us an idea of the buildings’ green & white brick era use, I’ve included the tenants listed in Polk’s 1928 Directory of Chicago. Check out the Green & White Brick Map to read more about the trend and find the locations of 70+ more.
3758-60 W Fullerton/2403-05 Hamlin in Logan Square (4/7/21). I couldn’t find a date for the building but it is on the 1921 Sanborn map. At #3758 (right storefront) Polk’s 1928 has SP Ostapa, a confectioner, in the store and residents Emmet/Bertha Muslow. The corner storefront at #3760 was vacant. A 1990 Tribune ad listed it for sale ($349,000) as a bar and nine apartments. Around the corner in the residences on Hamlin, Polk’s 1928 lists Mrs Lena Straus and AJ/Esther Winkel at #2403 and at #2405 Oda/Jeanette McKee, Normand/Lola Morse and Albert/Zula Robinson. You can have a look inside the residences at #3760 & #2403 H
3309-21 W Montrose in Albany Park (5/31/23). Built in 1912, AW Buckley was the architect for owners Fry & Jacobsen. Seven buildings tied together, it had a number of tenants in 1928: #3309- Carl/Anna Hallquist, cleaners; Levin Plumbing Shop #3311- Max/Belle Gitlin, fish #3313- Louis/Rose Kostan, fruits #3315- John/Hattie Boysen, barber #3317- Albany Theatre. On CBA’s Movie Theaters Map #3319- Rafel Wagner, meats #3321- Montrose Auto Hospital It is one of the featured in Chicago Sojourn’s 2014 write up on green & white brick buildings. Most recently it was Chicago Import Inc, seller of those little things that cover the counter in corner stores. They have since moved to another location in the neighborhood.
11019-23 S Michigan in Roseland (2/8/22). The city portal says it was built in 1911. It’s missing in Polk’s 1928 but I did find Tribune ads. In 1928 Makler’s Furniture was at #11021-23. From the 1940s-50s Norman Firestone shows up, then Major Motor Supply from the 60s to an ad in 1991. In the first Google Street View of this in 2007 it appears as today but Major Motor remains as a ghost sign. This one also makes the 2014 Chicago Sojourn article. Today, it is part of the 2020 Invest South/West project (pdf) and currently (11/12/24) for sale
4651-55 W Madison in West Garfield Park (10/5/21) Built in 1914 (Redfin), Polk’s 1928 lists M Kellman & Co, glass, in #4651 and in #4655 John Charwas, no other info. This was part of West Garfield Park’s “Motor Row”. Tribune ads for the storefronts show auto supplies as early as 1924 though to 1957. Here is a 1928 Skid Grips Ad (pdf). Since 1992 it has been home to the Academy of Scholastic Achievement, Inc with apartments above.
838-842 W Grand in River West (5/9/20) The building permit says it was built in 1911 by architect George Borst for H Kopsian. Henry/Bessie Kopsian, grocers, are still listed here in Polk’s 1928. Today, Jay B Ross & Assoc is still operating, but their website is barebones. John B Ross was very aggressive in seeking royalties for music acts, including James Brown. The male face with “Sure the bastards!” at left is him with his frequent threat. Ross died in 2018. The Paper Gun Studio has closed since the pic was taken.
Contact CBA for a custom guided ridethat includes some of these sights and for gift certificates for the cyclists in your life.Also, these maps are some of the many layers on The Map, where you can plan your own ride, run, or walk around Chicago
