The David R. Phillips collection of historical Chicago photographs and images contains more than 100,000 unique Chicago images from the 1860s to the 1970s. Consisting of the original old negatives, taken by the finest photographers of the time period, the collection covers virtually every area, old neighborhood and historical landmark of the city both shortly before and after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The vintage black and white Chicago images range from street scenes throughout this period of Chicago history to aerial shots of Chicago to Chicago's famous architecture. Also included in this unrivaled collection of historical Chicago photographs and images are theaters such as the Chicago Theater and the LaSalle Opera House, museums such as the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago River and old bridges and locks over the Chicago River, famous historic figures such as Al Capone, financial exchanges such as the Chicago Board of Trade, meat and vegetable markets such as the Maxwell Street Market and South Water Street Market, universities such as the University of Chicago, the Ferris wheel,
Tesla spotlight and other scenes from the
1893 Columbian Exposition, historical images of the Chicago elevated "L"
Train, the Chicago stockyards, sports teams such as the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago "Black Sox," (Chicago White Sox baseball players banned for
throwing the 1919 World Series), scenes from the 1933 World's Fair, historic buildings such as the Palmolive Building and Tribune Tower, old
photographs of famous parks such as Grant Park and Lincoln Park, attractions such as Navy Pier and the Riverview amusement park, and the Chicago lakefront and beaches along Lake Michigan.
