University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The items in the Digital Collections of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language. The Library condemns discrimination and hatred on any grounds. As a research library that supports the mission and values of this land grant institution, it is incumbent upon the University Library to preserve, describe, and provide access to materials to accurately document our past, support learning about it, and effect change in the present. In accordance with the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement, we do not censor our materials or prevent patrons from accessing them.

If you have questions regarding this statement or any content in the Library’s digital collections, please contact digitalcollections@lists.illinois.edu

American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the University Library

Adler and Sullivan Oakland Passenger Station Drawings (Digitized Content)

The digitized content of the Adler and Sullivan Oakland Passenger Station Drawings consists of 12 drawings of architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan's plans for the Oakland Passenger Station, an Illinois Central Railroad Company passenger station located on 39th Street, in Chicago. The plans were prepared in May 1893 to accommodate "local passenger transportation" to the World's Columbian Exposition.

Architects Dankmar Adler (1844-1900) and Louis Sullivan (1856-1924) gained prominence through their joint firm, Adler & Sullivan, during the 1880s and early 1890s. Adler emigrated with his family from Germany in 1854, and Sullivan was born in Boston, the son of two immigrant parents. Sullivan is known as the "father of modernism" and mentored Frank Lloyd Wright. After beginning their careers separately, in 1880 Sullivan became a partner in Adler's firm, beginning a productive period for each architect.

The digitized content contains twelve drawings signed by Adler and Sullivan, Architects, and by E. T. Jeffrey, General Manager. Only item 12 lacks any signatures, and 7 and 9 lack Jeffrey’s name. The drawings feature floor plans and construction for the Oakland, or 39th St., Passenger Station and surrounding area. The Illinois Central Railroad Company passenger station was intended to provide train transport for local passengers attending the World’s Columbian Exposition, and the plans were prepared in May 1893.

The Illinois History and Lincoln Collections unit at the University of Illinois Library manages the physical items of the Adler and Sullivan Oakland Passenger Station Drawings (MS 001). The collection was completely digitized in 2019. For more information, contact an archivist at ihlc@library.illinois.edu.