Pictorial Map and Guide to Chicago

Spectacular visual depiction of Chicago attractions in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Prior to the CTA, transit in Chicago was a complex web of surface lines, buses, subways and elevated routes, with intense competition between each for the biggest piece of the transportation pie. This map and guide was published by the Clason Map Company on behalf of the Chicago Motor Coach Company, which operated several routes along the Lakeshore, Near North, and West Loop neighborhoods starting in 1917. These routes are depicted on the fold-out map alongside profile illustrations of prominent buildings and attractions throughout the city.

One side presents the entire city limits, with routes of the North, West, and South Side Motor Coaches highlighted in brown, green, and red, respectively. An inset in the lower left outlines the city’s street numbering system. The verso, a similar style, is focused on downtown Chicago around the Loop and River North. An interesting addition is the ‘Shopping District Service’ that notably omits Chicago’s iconic Michigan Avenue. The ‘Magnificent Mile’ had not yet earned its distinction as a shopping destination.

The attention to detail present in the vignettes provides an architectural snapshot of Chicago during the Roaring 20s. The map is dated using Soldier Field, as it was only known as Grant Park Stadium for a brief period between opening in 1924 and renaming in 1925.