Map showing the Business Centre of Chicago

Rare map of downtown Chicago from the early 20th century

This ephemeral pocket map of the Chicago Loop was published locally in 1906 by stationer Edward Young Horder. It presents a large-scale overview of the downtown district bounded by Grant Park (east), 12th St. (modern-day Roosevelt Rd. south), Clinton St. (west) and Kinzie St. (north). Various buildings of interest like hotels, churches, the Auditorium, court house, and public library are outlined and labeled.

Bright red numbers identify seven transportation depots, each home to one or more railroads as outlined by the key at the bottom of the page. Street railways are also noted within the image. Text boxes on either side list the theaters and parks of Chicago. Several other important local buildings, with corresponding addresses, are named on the back cover.

Though ‘Ted’ Horder was a prominent publisher, stationer, and office supplier in Chicago in the early 20th century, his works are surprisingly scarce. I’ve been unable to find other examples of this map, or any other editions, in OCLC or available market records. The Chicago Public Library carries a pictorial view book, but otherwise available online entries are far and few between.

Source: Find a Grave;