• Identification00004934
  • TitleDescriptive inventory for the Stevens family visual materials, 1884-1972 (bulk 1920-1939)
  • PublisherChicago Historical Society
  • Language
    • English.
    • English
  • RepositoryChicago History Museum Research Center 1601 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614-6038
  • OriginationStevens family Ernest James Stevens, 1884-1972
  • Date
    • 1884-1972
    • 1920-1939
  • Physical Description
    • 188 photographic prints : b&w ; 9 x 11 cm. (3 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.)
    • 1 photographic print : carte de visite ; 11 x 7 cm. (4 x 2 1/2 in.)
    • 133 negatives : cellulose nitrate ; 7 x 11 cm. (2 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.)
    • 5 photomechanical prints : postcard ; 9 x 17 cm. (3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.)
    • 25 negatives : b&w ; 9 x 11 (3 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.) (accn#: 1982.0032)
  • Location
    • 1985.0424 PPL
    • 1985.0424 PPN-0017
    • 1985.0424 PNN

Digitization and preservation of the nitrate negatives was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Nitrate negatives restricted from access, see reference copies instead.

Advance appointment required to view color material in cold storage or negatives in cool storage; please email research@chicagohistory.org.

Some copyright restrictions may apply.

Gift of the estate of Ernest J. and Elizabeth S. Stevens, 1980 (1985.0424 and 1982.0032).

Nitrate reference copies available online http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/cdm/ref/collection/chm_pp/id/1449

Stevens family visual materials (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Black-and-white photographic prints and negatives and color postcards documenting the family and businesses of Ernest J. and Raymond W. Stevens. Includes a portrait of John and Marion Terrill. Unprinted negatives document the construction of the Hotel LaSalle (1909). Nitrate negatives and corresponding prints, which are mounted on loose leaves, depict the construction of the Ernest J. Stevens residence in Lakeside, Mich. (1923). Includes snapshots of the Delavan, Wis. and the Highland Hotel (1937-1940). Postcards depict Chicago hotels.

The Stevens family were the owners of Chicago's Stevens Hotel, the Hotel LaSalle, and the Illinois Life Insurance Company. Ernest J. Stevens also was also partial owner of the Highland Hotel in Delavan, Wisconsin.

Separated posters and proofsheets were transferred to composite collections in 1985 and stored in folders Hotels, etc.--Chicago and Expositions--Chicago--Century of Progress.

Eliminated call number 1985.0424 PNN PNN-0001-0002 and PNN-0004 during nitrate digitization project 2017/04/10.

  • Names
    • Stevens, Ernest James, 1884-1972
    • Stevens, Elizabeth S., d. 1979
    • Stevens, John Paul, 1920-
    • Terrill, John
    • Terrill, Marion Purnell
    • Arcade Building (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Highland Hotel (Delavan, Wis.)
    • LaSalle Hotel (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Stevens Hotel (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.)
  • Subject
    • Children--Illinois--Chicago
    • Building--Illinois--Chicago
    • Construction--Michigan--Lakeside
    • Dwellings--Michigan--Lakeside
    • Families--Illinois--Chicago
    • Hotels--Illinois--Chicago
  • Geographic Coverage
    • 700 South Michigan Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Chicago (Ill.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
    • Chicago (Ill.)--Streets--Clark Street--South-- 32
    • Chicago (Ill.)--Streets--LaSalle Street--North--1

The collection is arranged into two series by topic.

Series 1. Hotel businesses, 1909-1933 (box 1-3)

Series 1 contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives and color postcards related to Stevens family-owned hotels, Stevens Hotel and Hotel LaSalle. Some views document hotel construction.

Series 2. Family, residences, and travel, 1884-1972 (box 1, folders 1-47)

Series 2 contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of Stevens family member portraits and their residences depicted as under construction and completed, as well as images related to the family's various travels and vacations.