Although a significant amount of it has been torn down, what remains of the Schoenhofen Brewery are still the most impressive pre-Prohibition era brewery structures in Chicago. Buildings were first erected at 18th and Canalport in 1862 when the brewery relocated here from 12th and Jefferson. The last buildings were built in 1910, and the brewery remained in buisness until 1924.
Illustration: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record,
HAER-ILL, 16-Chig.61.
Remaining buildings as of 2007 are highlited in red. 1770 is the Powerhouse, 530 is the Administration building, and the functions of the other three are unknown.
Right image: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record,
HAER-ILL, 16-Chig.61.
The Powerhouse was built in 1902, however it was used as a warehouse beginning in 1924 until recently. A city landmark since 1960, it is seen as indicative of the work of architect Richard E. Schmidt, as well as a masterpiece of Chicago School architecture. Schmidt is perhaps more well known for designing the main building of Michael Reese Hospital.
Left image: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record,
HAER-ILL, 16-Chig.61.
As one can see, the Powerhouse has changed little since these HABS photographs were taken in 1983. One small detail is that the end of Canalport street has been truncated, either to aid in securing the Powerhouse, or because the street was obsolete and redundant. Or all of the above.
Stephen S. Messutta writes in about the Powerhouse:
|
Around 1998, a group of investors decided to reopen the
Powerhouse building because they discovered that the water
that had been used in the brewery came from an ancient acquifer
located hundreds of feet below the building, and that it was still
available and pure.They tried to get a local bottled water company going using that water. |
Left images: Anon. Right image: Charles Cushman, Indiana University Archives, 1944.
Left: Edelweiss was the Schoenhofen Brewing Company's flagship brand. In 1928, the company was acquired by the National Brewery Company, which relocated brewing operations. One wonders what became of Edelweiss afterwards.
Right: When Charles Cushman snapped this image in 1944, he wrote in his notebook: "obsolete beer ad near 16th & Canal." For whatever reason, he neglected to photograph any of the other structures that day. Or any other day for that matter.
Supposedly, members of the Schoenhofen family used this tower to broadcast radio messages to German agents during World War I, prompting federal agents to sieze the brewery.
Left image: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record,
HAER-ILL, 16-Chig.61.
Featuring late Victorian-era ornament, especially above the pediment, the Administration building provides an interesting contrast to the Powerhouse. It was designed by Adolph Cudell in 1886, and became a city landmark in 1988.
The hexagrams on the administration building are not in this case a symbol for Judaism. Rather, this is the Brewer's Star. Symbolizing purity, it has been used in this capacity since the late 1300s. The dates above the star; 1860 and 1886, mark the founding date of the Schoenhofen Brewing Company, and the erection of this building, respectively.
Top left and bottom right images: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record,
HAER-ILL, 16-Chig.61.
There is not much information available for this building, located at 1702 S. Canal. In these images it works as a visual anchor, showing how much as been demolished around it since 1983. Unlike the rest of the buildings, it is very obviously still in use.
Images: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Historic American Buildings Survey or Historic American Engineering Record,
HAER-ILL, 16-Chig.61.
Two views south down the Normal avenue canyon in 1983. This was the main street of the brewery, where significant structures such as the brew house, ice factory, cold storage, and stables were located. None remain.
2007 view north from Normal and 18th (left), and south from Normal and 16th.
Sadly disused and mostly demolished, one wonders what the future holds for Schoenhofen.
Page authored 22 October 2007.
Last updated 10 December 2007.
Written by Serhii Chrucky.
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