Long-lost blueprints show Chicago Stadium’s enduring significance

A Chicago-based antique map dealer has recently come into possession of the original architectural plans for the old Chicago Stadium.

At the time, the stadium was the largest indoor arena in the world, but that description only scratches the surface of its significance, according to Sammy Berk, a purveyor of antique maps and prints at the appointment-only shop New World Cartographic.

A piece of history

One of Berk’s customers, whose name was not disclosed, discovered the blueprints tucked inside a flat file cabinet at an estate sale. Berk bought them and had them linen-backed to ensure their preservation.

Incredible detail

One print shows a cross-section of the stadium. “We essentially have two cross-sectional views,” Berk said. “But this one here, I absolutely love because of the amount of detail that’s in there. And when you look at it, you really kind of get a sense of what it looked like inside the stadium.”

A testament to engineering and architecture

The prints are pieces of artwork that convey scientific knowledge – math and measurements. “It goes into so much detail, down to even just the door studs, and the width of wooden planks, and in some cases, you can see hand annotations that the builders and the architects were using in the design,” he said.

The significance of Chicago Stadium

The stadium was built to host a variety of events like circuses, ice shows, rodeos, political conventions, concerts, boxing matches and more.

“Looking into it, I was amazed,” Berk said. “There were circuses. There were six-day cycling races which were really popular. There were ice capades that were going on, and actually, at one point, the Chicago Bears played the Portsmouth Spartans, which are now the Detroit Lions, for the NFL championship in the Chicago Stadium. It also had the famous Barton pipe organ, which had 3,600 pipes.”

A symbol of unity

It earned the nickname “the Madhouse on Madison,” but because there were no VIP sections, it could’ve been known as “the Melting Pot on Madison.”

“It was one of the few places in America you could go and have mass numbers of white and Black – in this case – Chicagoans come together under one roof for a common sporting event,” Berk said. “It was all in the plan.”

A Chicago icon

The stadium was a blend of neoclassical and art deco architecture, designed by the firm Hall, Lawrence & Ratcliffe, which also designed the Cook County Courthouse at West 26th Street and South California Avenue.

“A lot of the architects and the people that were involved in the planning and building of this were also involved with the 1893 Columbian Exposition, which was dubbed the ‘White City’ as it was made to look like ancient Greece or ancient Rome,” Berk said.

GALLERY

The legacy of Chicago Stadium

The stadium was demolished in 1994 and replaced by the United Center. But this discovery of the original blueprints is an occasion to reflect on the plans and the maps that have guided us for centuries, providing a portal to the past and a framework for the future.

“We find these things, these historical items, people come to us with them, sometimes we restore them, and we find them new homes to collectors or institutions to preserve them for years and generations to come,” Berk said.

Conclusion

The discovery of the original blueprints of the Chicago Stadium is a testament to the enduring significance of this iconic venue. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our history and the stories that lie within the pages of these blueprints. As we look to the future, we can only hope to create structures that are just as remarkable as the ones that came before us.

FAQs

Q: Who discovered the blueprints?
A: A customer of New World Cartographic, whose name was not disclosed, discovered the blueprints at an estate sale.

Q: What is the significance of the blueprints?
A: The blueprints provide a detailed and accurate representation of the original design and construction of the Chicago Stadium, offering a unique glimpse into the history of this iconic venue.

Q: What was the Chicago Stadium used for?
A: The stadium was used for a variety of events, including circuses, ice shows, rodeos, political conventions, concerts, boxing matches, and sports games.

Q: When was the Chicago Stadium demolished?
A: The Chicago Stadium was demolished in 1994 and replaced by the United Center.