History Mystery: A lost photo of Chicago's Palmer House construction
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The construction site of the Palmer House, looking east towards Michigan Avenue on October 4, 1924. Photo: Chicago History Museum/Getty Images
This week's "History Mystery" features a long-lost photo of the construction of one of Chicago's most famous hotels.
State of play: The Palmer House Hilton off State Street is one of downtown's historic gems — a 25-story hotel completed in 1925.
Flashback: Potter Palmer embarked on opening a new hotel in 1871.
Yes, but: It was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire. Potter rebuilt a new hotel in 1873, but it wasn't until 1925 that the Palmer House we know today was erected.
- The old seven-story building was completely torn down to make way for a new 25-story, 1000-room hotel.
- The Hilton hotel chain bought the Palmer House in 1945.
Fun facts: The hotel is often credited as the birthplace of the brownie, created for the 1893 World's Fair.
- Over the years, it has hosted celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Harry Belafonte.
Today: The Palmer House remains a go-to destination for visitors. For locals, its second-floor lobby offers a quick escape from the hustle of the Loop.
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