Old Stone Gate of Chicago Union Stockyards
Why it's listed
Built of rough-faced Lemont limestone, this gate marks the entrance to the Chicago Union Stockyards on Exchange Avenue. It is about 25 feet high and 40 feet wide, with a triple-arched opening: a tall central arch for vehicles and two smaller, unequal side arches. A steeply pitched copper roof caps it, and four turrets flank the central arch. On the east face, a sculpted steer's head fills the gable, said to represent Sherman, a prize-winning steer named for stockyards incorporator John B. Sherman. A two-story stone security station with a mansard roof is attached at the south end. The stockyards opened on Christmas Day, 1865, and a wooden gate of similar design preceded this one. The stone gate opened to the public on June 28, 1879, and was not damaged by the 1934 fire. With the yards slated to close in 1971, it remained as a reminder of Chicago's leading role in livestock and meat packing.
Significance in brief: The gate survives as a reminder of Chicago's former supremacy in the livestock and meat packing industry. It replaced an earlier wooden gate of similar design and stayed open continuously, and it was undamaged by the great fire of 1934. The form also notes its architecture, with a sculptural steer's head on the east gable.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000451, listed December 27, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Exchange Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | December 27, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000451 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1879) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 29, 1981 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, though finials are broken off, the original iron roof was replaced with copper, and some stone and moulding is eroded. The stockyards were slated to close July 1, 1971. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.81858, -87.64842 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000451.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7886121
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.