Soldier Field
Also known as: Grant Park Stadium National Historic Landmark; Grant Park Sta
Why it's listed
Soldier Field is a vast U-shaped stadium on Chicago's lakefront, built between 1923 and 1925 to designs by Holabird & Roche and opened to the public in 1926. Constructed of reinforced concrete with details cast as Benedict Stone, it draws on Greek models, most visibly in two Doric colonnades along its east and west sides, each made of a double row of 32 columns. The site, once a shoal beside rail yards, was filled with excavated material between 1917 and 1924 to realize the athletic grounds that Daniel Burnham proposed in his 1909 Plan of Chicago. Dedicated to the city's World War I dead, the stadium was planned for parades, pageants, concerts and sports. It hosted the 1926 Eucharistic Congress, the 1927 Dempsey-Tunney fight and Century of Progress ceremonies. The nomination notes that the exterior remains largely intact, while interior changes such as new seating and synthetic turf are considered reversible. The Chicago Park District, the owner, opposed listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a pioneer example of the circular multipurpose stadium and a well-preserved Classical Revival design with Greek Doric colonnades. It was also an important lakefront recreational venue and civic gathering place, hosting the 1926 Eucharistic Congress, the 1927 Dempsey-Tunney fight and Century of Progress ceremonies. It realizes Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago proposal for athletic grounds in Grant Park.
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 84001052, listed August 9, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 425 E. 14th St., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | August 9, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001052 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1923-1925 |
| Architect / builder | Holabird & Roche; H. J. Burt, Consulting Engineer |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival (Greek Doric order) |
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, Local |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 27, 1987 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as occupied and in excellent condition. The exterior is well preserved, while interior alterations include a mid-section stand, enclosed box seating, individual chairs and synthetic turf. |
| Acreage | 44 |
| Coordinates | 41.86258, -87.61639 (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 84001052.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.