Tag: Bucktown

Ghost Signs: Lekko Powder

Ghost Signs: Lekko Powder
On the side of the building at 2339 W. North Avenue is a very faint ghost sign for a product called Lekko. What the heck is Lekko? It was a scouring powder that was made in Chicago by the Lekko Soap Company nearly 100 years ago. The company was founded in 1899 by Charles H.... Read more »
By Neil Arsenty,
August 6, 2013 at 10:32 am • 

Forgotten Chicagoans: Henry Worthmann

Forgotten Chicagoans: Henry Worthmann
Above the doorway on the building at 1859 W. Chicago Avenue in West Town reads “H. WORTHMANN BUILDING.” Henry W. Worthmann was born around June 18, 1857 in Hanover, Germany. He arrived in the United States in 1882 and he became a naturalized citizen in 1888. That same year, he married his wife, Agnes. He soon... Read more »
By Neil Arsenty,
July 11, 2013 at 10:11 am • 

Forgotten Merchants: Kling Bros. and Co.

Forgotten Merchants: Kling Bros. and Co.
Tucked away at 2300 West Wabansia Avenue in Bucktown stands the Clock Tower Lofts. Over each doorway reads “KLING BROS. & CO.” Completed in 1920, the Kling Brothers & Company building was built as a manufacturing facility for their wholesale clothing business. It was designed by Alfred Alschuler, an innovational architect at the time.  His... Read more »
By Neil Arsenty,
July 9, 2013 at 10:12 am • 
Advertisement:

Ghost Signs: Gold Medal Flour

Ghost Signs: Gold Medal Flour
Gold Medal Flour was first produced in 1880 by the Washburn-Crosby Company. Naturally, it was given this name after winning the gold medal at the Millers’ Exhibition in Cincinnati, Ohio. Many ghost signs for Gold Medal Flour can still be seen not only in Chicago, but across the country. Like Fletcher’s Castoria, the product was... Read more »
By Neil Arsenty,
May 16, 2013 at 10:00 am • 

Ghost Sign of Mystery

Ghost Sign of Mystery
While walking down Milwaukee Avenue in Bucktown, I happened across a vibrant partial ghost sign at 1831 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Given how bright the colors were, I could only assume that the sign was only recently revealed in the past few years. What frustrated me, however, was that I could not tell what business the... Read more »
By Neil Arsenty,
May 2, 2013 at 11:00 am • 

The Old Addresses of Chicago

The Old Addresses of Chicago
Chicagoans: The next time you give directions to your friends, you can thank this guy – Edward Brennan – for making it a little bit easier. Before 1909, addresses were generally designated by the branches of the Chicago River. Although it was simple, since the river doesn’t flow in a straight line, it would easily... Read more »
By Neil Arsenty,
April 30, 2013 at 11:00 am • 
Advertisement:
  • Advertisement:
  • Advertisement:
  • ChicagoNow is full of win

    Welcome to ChicagoNow.

    Meet our bloggers,
    post comments, or
    pitch your blog idea.

    Sign in Pitch your idea Play games
  • Facebook

  • Meet The Blogger

    Neil Arsenty

    Neil is a comedian who works in email marketing. He lives in Ravenswood.

  • Tags

  • Categories

  • Latest on ChicagoNow

  • Advertisement: