“A woman in Chicago’s West Loop has launched a mission to preserve the history of her neighborhood.
“Connie Fairbanks noticed that buildings that earned historic designations often have not gotten the visibility they deserve.
“CBS News Chicago joined Fairbanks on Thursday as a plaque was put up honoring the history of the Schoenbrun & Co. warehouse building at 850 W. Adams St. The building now houses loft condos, but at one time, it was part of a bygone industrial operation.
“‘This building was part of the Garment District,’ Fairbanks said of the Schoenbrun building. ‘There were suits made here. There were housedresses.’ Fairbanks convinced the condo building to install the plaque.
“‘We need the story told all over the West Loop,’ she said.
“The Schoenbrun building is not an official Chicago landmark, nor is it on the National Register of Historic Places. But with the plaque, it now has something that some historic buildings do not.
“There are 19 buildings in the West Loop that do, in fact, have historical designations, but most lack a plaque. Fairbanks took note of the missing plaques as she wrote her book, “Chicago’s West Loop: Then and Now.”
“The City of Chicago pays for and installs Chicago landmark plaques. As for the timing, the city said it depends on the property owner’s approval and agreement on the text and location of the plaque.
“The National Register of Historic Places does not use plaques, and leaves it all up to the property owner.
“‘Some of the buildings were awarded these designations more than 40 years ago,’ said Fairbanks.
“Fairbanks is on a mission — working with local aldermen and the chamber of commerce in the West Loop to make historic plaques a property. She wants to help brick-and-mortar tell meaningful stories, and Ald. Bill Conway (34th) is on board.
“‘These plaques are a great way to share stories and connect our past with our future, and I look forward to working more with Connie on this initiative to showcase the West Loop’s unique history,’ Conway said in a statement.” (Brennan, CBS Chicago, 3/6/25)