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C. William Brubaker Collection

During the 1960s through 1990s, architect and photographer Charles William “Bill” Brubaker (1926-2002) photographically documented examples of significant architecture and design of the urban environment in the Chicago area and in other cities that he lived in or visited. This collection consists of slides taken by Brubaker.

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Showing 1 - 50 of 134 Records
53rd Street and Lake Park Avenue
Image Image
View of the intersection of East 53rd Street and South Lake Park Avenue, looking northeast from South Lake Park Avenue. The Hyde Park Bank stands at the southwest corner of this intersection, and a large sign for it is suspended over that corner. A brick plaza with landscaping and a bench is in the foreground, adjacent to the sidewalk.
Date:
1978
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
664 North Michigan Avenue businesses
Image Image
View along the sidewalk in front of 664 North Michigan Avenue, at the northwest corner of the intersection with East Erie Street. Signs for Hanig's Footwear and Johnston & Murphy are above the street-level awnings.
Date:
circa 1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Archer Avenue commercial strip
Image Image
View of the commercial strip along South Archer Avenue. The intersection with South Kedzie Avenue is immediately to the right of the building on the right. Businesses pictured include Archer Jewelers and the Golden Heart Snack Shop Restaurant.
Date:
1978
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Archer Avenue commercial strip
Image Image
View looking southwest along South Archer Avenue. The intersection with South Sacramento Avenue is to the left of the large Standard Federal Savings bank. Numerous stores and other small businesses line both sides of the street. A small sign suspended from the light post at the far right reads "Welcome to Brighton Park".
Date:
1978
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Automobile dealerships, Wilmette
Image Image
View of Fiat and Jaguar auto dealerships, looking south along Green Bay Road from south of Washington Avenue in Wilmette. The illuminated neon sign for Imperial Motors is prominently visible. The traffic signals at the intersection with Central Avenue are in the distance at the lower left.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
B. Dalton bookstore, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View across the sidewalk toward the entrance to a B. Dalton bookstore on the street level of the John Blair Building, 645 North Michigan Avenue.
Date:
circa 1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Bank building, North Clark Street and West Morse Avenue
Image Image
View looking northeast across North Clark Street from the intersection with West Morse Avenue. The First Commercial Bank (6945 North Clark Street) occupies the northeast corner of this intersection. The bank's parking lot, to the west across North Clark Street, is marked by a large sign.
Date:
1982
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Billboard advertisements for cigarettes and rental cars
Image Image
View of billboards in front of a building wall bordering a parking lot. The top billboard with the slogan "Marlboro Country" advertises cigarettes. Below it is a billboard for Ace Rent-a-Car Company. Part of the John Hancock Center is on the upper right of the image, and part of Lawry's restaurant, at East Ontario and North Rush Streets, is visible in the lower right corner of the image.
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Billboard with liquor advertisement, North State Street
Image Image
View of a large billboard with a "Think Egghead" advertisement for Smirnoff vodka installed on top of the roofs of a neighborhood liquor store and grocery store on North State Street at West Ontario Street. The John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place are visible behind the billboard. The 111 East Chestnut Apartments (Elysees Condominiums) are visible at the extreme left.
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Billboard with liquor advertisement, Wabash Avenue and Ohio Street
Image Image
Large billboard with an advertisement for Ronrico rum, located near the intersection of North Wabash Avenue and East Ohio Street. The upper parts of the John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place are visible.
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Billy Goat Tavern & Grille sign
Image Image
View of a free-standing sign for the Billy Goat Tavern on the sidewalk outside the Realtor Building at 430 North Michigan Avenue.
Date:
1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Block Club sign, West Englewood
Image Image
Block Club sign posted on the 2000 block of West 68th Street, at South Hoyne Avenue. The sign reads: "Welcome Thifty [sic] Neighbors, 2000 W 68 St Block Club. NO Car Washing, Working on Cars, Drinking, Ball Playing, Speed Limit 15 MPH, Littering".
Date:
1981
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Bloomingdale's store, Water Tower Place
Image Image
View of the entrance to the Bloomingdale's store inside Water Tower Place, 835 North Michigan Avenue. The cosmetics department is visible just beyond the entrance.
Date:
1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Bloomingdales, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View of the upper part of the entranceway to the Bloomingdales store at 900 North Michigan Avenue, showing the sign and lighting.
Date:
1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Brooks Brothers store, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View of the entrance to the Brooks Brothers store at 713 North Michigan Avenue, one of the retail shops located on the street level of the Allerton Hotel.
Date:
1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
CTA tracks with billboard, Ashland and Roscoe
Image Image
View north along North Ashland Avenue from the intersection with West Roscoe Street. The CTA elevated train overpass (now part of the Brown Line), with a large billboard advertising cigarettes, crosses Ashland Avenue.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
CTA tracks, Ashland at Roscoe
Image Image
View north along the west side of North Ashland Avenue from the intersection with West Roscoe Street. The CTA elevated train track overpass (now part of the Brown Line), with a large billboard advertising cigarettes, crosses above Ashland Avenue.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Cartier store, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View of shoppers on the sidewalk in front of the Cartier store at 630 North Michigan Avenue.
Date:
circa 1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Cermak Road, South Lawndale
Image Image
View in winter looking east along the north side of West Cermak Road between South Marshall Boulevard and South California Avenue. A four story building with a "Hotel" sign in front (2860 West Cermak Road) has a side wall painted with an advertisement reading in part "Aqui es! Super Birria Jalisco". Further down the block is Manning Savings (2854 West Cermak Road). At the extreme left is a parking lot with a sign over the entrance reading "Marshall Sq. Theatre Parking".
Date:
1979
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Chicago Avenue businesses near Damen Avenue
Image Image
View of two- and three-story buildings along the north side of West Chicago Avenue, with businesses on the ground floor and apartments above. A three-story red brick building with Stefano's restaurant on the ground level stands at the intersection with North Damen Avenue. The Victory Building (2006 West Chicago Avenue) stands to the left of Stefano's.
Date:
1970; 1916 (Victory Building)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Chicago Place sign, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View of the sign above the entrance to the Chicago Place shopping complex (700 North Michigan Avenue). A smaller sign for Saks Fifth Avenue is below it.
Date:
1992
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Chicago Theater
Image Image
View of the Chicago Theater on North State Street. The marquee advertises Steve Martin's film "The Jerk".
Date:
1980; 1921 (Chicago Theater)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Chicago Theater Sign
Image Image
View of the sign for the Chicago Theater with 35 East Wacker Drive (Jewelers' Building) visible at the upper left.
Date:
1980; 1921 (Chicago Theater)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Chicago Theater and Marshall Field's store
Image Image
View looking south along the east side of North State Street, when the State Street Mall existed and the street was closed to automobile traffic. The Chicago Theater (175 North State Street) with its iconic sign is on the left. At the time, the musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman" starring Chita Rivera was playing there. The Marshall Field and Company Store (now Macy's State Street) is visible to the right of the theater.
Date:
1995; 1914 (Marshall Field and Company Building); 1921 (Chicago Theater)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Chicago Theater and Marshall Field's store
Image Image
View looking south along the east side of North State Street, when the State Street Mall closed that part of State Street to automobile traffic. The Chicago Theater (175 North State Street) with its iconic sign is on the left. At the time, the musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman" starring Chita Rivera was playing there. The Marshall Field and Company Store (now Macy's State Street) is visible to the right of the theater.
Date:
1995; 1914 (Marshall Field and Company Building); 1921 (Chicago Theater)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Cityscape with Hertz sign and John Hancock Center
Image Image
View from Outer Drive (North Lake Shore Drive) with large Hertz Rent A Car sign and the John Hancock Center against the sky.
Date:
1971; 1969 (John Hancock Center)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Crate and Barrel sign, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View of the Crate and Barrel store sign on the upper part of the building facade at 646 North Michigan Avenue.
Date:
1992
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Crossroads Restaurant, Wilmette
Image Image
View at dusk of the Crossroads Restaurant (601 Green Bay Road) situated on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road. The neon sign for the Wil-Shore Motors Ford dealership (611 Green Bay Road) is visible at the right.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Drake Hotel entranceway
Image Image
View of a sign reading "The Drake" above the main entrance to The Drake Hotel, 140 East Walton Place.
Date:
1993
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Dunkin' Donuts sign, Skokie
Image Image
Night view of illuminated neon sign for Dunkin' Donuts with the slogan "World's Finest Coffee".
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East 23rd Street with Sauer's Restaurant sign
Image Image
View looking east along East 23rd Street towards McCormick Place. Sauer's Restaurant is in the right foreground. Behind that, the red brick facade of the P. S. Recording Studio (formerly at 323 East 23rd Street) is visible.
Date:
circa 1978
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Chicago South Shore Line Station
Image Image
View looking north along Indianapolis Boulevard near the Indiana Toll Road, just south of the intersection with South Roxanna Drive. The overpass for the South Shore Line electric railroad crosses above Indianapolis Boulevard; the station house and parking for the East Chicago station is just to the right of the viaduct. The embankment for the South Shore Line is visible beyond the station on the right side of the image. A billboard for a local car dealership stands on the roof of the station house. A sign on the right side of Indianapolis Boulevard reads "Dr. John B. Nicosia, Mayor, Welcomes You To East Chicago Indiana. Please Drive Carefully!"
Date:
1972
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Chicago, Indiana, downtown business district
Image Image
View looking west along the north side of West Chicago Avenue, towards the intersection with Indianapolis Boulevard. The intersection with Short Street is in the foreground at the far right. A number of small businesses line the street, including Schoenbergs, Hoffman Pharmacy, and Lewin's Wearing Apparel.
Date:
1972
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Chicago, Indiana, downtown business district
Image Image
View looking north along Indianapolis Boulevard from the intersection with West Chicago Avenue. A Walgreens drugstore is in the foreground on the left. Crossing arms for a level railway crossing are just visible in the distance.
Date:
1972
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Huron Street from east of Rush Street
Image Image
View looking east along the sidewalk on the north side of East Huron Street from east of Rush Street. A parking garage is in the foreground on the left. A canopy for the Allerton Hotel can be seen above the bus in the center of the photograph. In the distance, part of the Veteran's Administration Research Hospital and the American Furniture Mart building (later Lake Shore Place) at 680 North Lake Shore Drive are visible.
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Huron Street from east of Rush Street
Image Image
View looking east along the sidewalk on the north side of East Huron Street from east of Rush Street. A parking garage is in the foreground on the left. A canopy for the Allerton Hotel can be seen above the bus in the center of the photograph. In the distance, part of the Veteran's Administration Research Hospital and the American Furniture Mart building (later Lake Shore Place) at 680 North Lake Shore Drive are visible.
Date:
1976; 1953-1955 (V. A. Lakeside Hospital)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Oak Street at North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View looking northwest along East Oak Street from the intersection with North Michigan Avenue. Three high-rise residential buildings are silhouetted against the sky: 2 East Oak, 40 East Oak, and Newberry Plaza (1030 North State Street). The Esquire Theater is visible in the lower center of the photograph. A political advertisement painted on the side of the building at the lower left reads "For Integrity, Proven Capability and Compassion - Vote Democratic".
Date:
1976; 1974 (Newberry Plaza)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Oak Street from North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View looking west along East Oak Street from North Michigan Avenue. A parking lot occupies the southwest corner of the intersection of Oak Street and North Michigan Avenue. An advertisement for the Oak Trust and Savings Bank is painted on the side of the building adjacent to that lot. A number of shops, and the Esquire Theater are at the right across Oak Street. Beyond these at the upper right are three high-rise residential buildings: 2 East Oak, 40 East Oak, and Newberry Plaza (1030 North State Street).
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Ohio Street
Image Image
View to the east along East Ohio Street, near the intersection of North State Street. Part of the Tree Studios (Lambert Tree Studios) is visible at the far left of the image. Across Ohio Street to the south are the Tokyo Hotel (17-19 East Ohio Street) and the Hotel Ohio East (now Comfort Inn and Suites) at 15 East Ohio Street. A large liquor advertisement for J&B Scotch is painted on the side wall of the Hotel Ohio East. The Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile (540 North Michigan Avenue) is visible behind.
Date:
1980; 1978 (Chicago Marriott Downtown hotel)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
East Ohio Street from Wabash Avenue
Image Image
View to east along East Ohio Street from the intersection with North Wabash Avenue. A parking lot with a large billboard celebrating the American Bicentennial is on the north side of Ohio Street between Wabash Avenue and Rush Street. The office and commercial building in the center of the image stood at 100 East Ohio Street. Olson Rug occupied the ground floor at the time of the photograph. The 625 North Michigan building rises behind it. The Croydon Hotel (now The James Hotel) is at the far left, and the St. Clair hotel (formerly at 162 East Ohio Street) is at the far right.
Date:
1976; 1971 (625 North Michigan)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
FAO Schwarz store, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View of shoppers entering the FAO Schwarz toy store at 840 North Michigan Avenue.
Date:
1993; 1992 (840 North Michigan Avenue)
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Four Cohns Shoes and Al's Clothing signs, Skokie
Image Image
Night view of illuminated signs for Four Cohns Shoes and Al's Clothing.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Gately's People's Store, South Michigan Avenue commercial strip
Image Image
View looking north along a thriving commercial strip on South Michigan Avenue. Gately's department store (Gately's People Store, 11201 South Michigan Avenue at East 112th Street) with its five-story parking garage is visible near the center of the image. Numerous other businesses line both sides of the street. The light posts are decorated for the Christmas holiday season.
Date:
circa 1972
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Gerald Motors, Skokie
Image Image
Night view of Gerald Motors, with illuminated signs.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Gerald's car wash and Standard gas signs, Skokie
Image Image
View of illuminated neon signs for Gerald's car wash and Standard gas.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Gino's East pizzeria sign and adjacent parking lot, North Michigan Avenue
Image Image
View looking east across Michigan Avenue at the northeast corner of North Michigan Avenue and Superior Street, showing a Gino's East sign painted on the side wall of that restaurant, and a parking lot in front of that.
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Gino's East pizzeria sign and parking lot
Image Image
View looking east from a parking lot at the northeast corner of North Michigan Avenue and East Superior Street. There is a sign for Gino's East painted on the wall of the restaurant at the eastern end of the lot. Some of the oval windows of the Prentice Women's Hospital can be seen in the distance on the right.
Date:
1976
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Gold Standard Liquors sign, Skokie
Image Image
View looking east along the north side of Dempster Street in Skokie at the intersection with Leclaire Avenue, at a large streetside sign for Gold Standard Liquors (later a Binny's Beverage Depot). The Walton Chrysler car dealership is visible behind the sign.
Date:
1975
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Greek restaurants, Halsted Street
Image Image
View looking southwest across South Halsted Street at Greek restaurants lining the west side of the block. The intersection with West Adams Street is visible at the left, and part of the sign for the Greek Islands Restaurant is visible behind the traffic signals.
Date:
1983
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access
Green Bay Road at Scott Avenue, Winnetka
Image Image
View looking northwest across Green Bay Road at the intersection with Scott Avenue. Sinclair and Shell gas station signs are prominent. The building at the far left with the columned portico (1010 Green Bay Road) houses a Chas. A. Stevens store.
Date:
1970
Collection:
C. William Brubaker Collection
Access:
Public access

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Subject Topic: Signs and signboards   Remove all  

Collection Details

Repository
University of Illinois Chicago. Library. Special Collections and University Archives Department (Richard J. Daley Library)
Collection Type
Manuscript Collections
Collection Location
Richard J. Daley Library
Theme
Natural & Built Environments
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