TitleSeyfarth Block Grove and Western.
Inventory Number25-0461
Full CollectionDemolition & Construction in Blue Island: 1962-1967
Full LocationAlbee House - 2nd Floor - East Bedroom - Rack #1 - Shelf #5 - Demolition & Construction Photo Album
Object Description
The "Seyfarth Block" on the southwest corner of York and Western; architect George W. Kintz. This building replaced a wood frame structure that housed the Seyfarth family's hardware store and an early location of Blue Island's public library; it burned down in 1896 during the Great Blue Island Fire that leveled much of this block. This building was demolished c. 1990.
The photo appears to have been taken from the second floor of the Schapper family's Pioneer Drug Store, which stood kitty corner from the Seyfarth Block. Ferdinand Schapper, who may have captured this image, wrote a manuscript "Southern Cook County and History of Blue Island Before the Civil War," which he presented to the Chicago Historical Society in 1917. The book remains in their collection and contains a wealth of information on the early history of Blue Island and the surrounding area. You can read the book in PDF form on our website.