Walter V. Lesak photograph collection

Walter V. Lesak photograph collection,1930-1935, 1981

Finding Aid for the Collection at Chicago History Museum, Research Center

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Title: Walter V. Lesak photograph collection, 1930-1935, 1981.

Dates: 1930-1935, 1981

Size & Call#: 2002.0198 PPL

35 photographic prints : b&w ; 11 x 7 3\4 in.

13 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. in 1981

Summary: Photographs, 1930-1935, by Peter Fish Studios (a commercial photography firm at 160 East Illinois Street in Chicago) showing the redevelopment of a portion of the Near North Community Area bounded by Grand Avenue, Wabash, Dearborn Street, and the Chicago River as well as some views into the Loop Community Area; and 13 photographs made in 1981 by an unknown photographer of hotels and other buildings and streetscapes along Michigan Avenue between Randolph Street and Congress Street for Walter V. Lesak, a lawyer specializing in real estate law. Topics in the 1930s include Wabash Avenue Bridge and views in all directions from it, aerial view of Chicago River bridge #2071, Harry's New York Bar and Cabaret, advertising signs, alleys, streetscapes along Kinzie Street, Cass Street, Austin Avenue, North Water Street, Wabash Avenue, Rush Street, and Illinois Avenue.

Gift of the estate of Walter V. Lesak.

Credit photographer.

List of online catalog headings:

Harry's New York Bar and Cabaret (Chicago, Ill.)

Buildings--Illinois--Chicago--20th century..

Hotels--Illinois--Chicago--1980-1989. lctgm

Wabash Avenue Bridge (Chicago, Ill.)

Michigan Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)

Chicago (Ill.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--1930-1939.

Chicago (Ill.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--1980-1989.

Near North Side (Chicago, Ill.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--1930-1939.

Loop (Chicago, Ill.)--1980-1989.

Photographic prints. gmgpc

Silver gelatin prints. gmgpc

Lesak, Walter V., former owner.

Peter Fish Studios (Chicago, Ill.), photographer.

List of items in the collection:

35 photographic prints: b&w; 11 x 7 3/4 in. 1930-1935:

1) Wabash Avenue Bridge, looking north on Rush St., June 28, 1931

2) Wabash Avenue Bridge, looking south on Rush St., June 28, 1931

3) Wabash Avenue Bridge looking east on Grand Ave., June 28, 1931

4) Wabash Avenue Bridge looking west on Austin Ave., June 28, 1931

5) Looking south from Illinois St., August 4, 1930.

6) An aerial view of a bridge over the Chicago River. Marked with number 2071.

7) Wabash Avenue Bridge looking north on Wabash Ave. from Illinois, June 28, 1931.

8) Looking West by South showing alley and rear of building at 18-20 East Kinzie Street. Taken April 14, 1935 at 11:30 a.m.

9) Wabash Avenue Bridge looking South in Wabash Avenue from Grand Avenue, June 28, 1931.

10) Wabash Avenue Bridge looking East on Illinois Street, June 28, 1931.

11) Looking Southeast on Kinzie St. about 35 feet from East of State Street. Taken on May 10, 1935 at 5:20 p.m.

12) Looking Easton Austin Avenue, July 20, 1930.

13) View of the building on the Northeast corner of Austin and Cass, July 20, 1930.

14) View of the building on the Northeast corner of Cass and Kinzie, July 20, 1930.

15) View of the building on the Southwest corner of Austin and Cass, July 20, 1930.

16) View of the building on the Northwest corner of Austin and Cass, July 20, 1930.

17) Looking East on Illinois Street, July 20, 1930.

18) Looking West by South showing alley and rear of building occupied by Harry's New York Bar lower level of Wabash Avenue and Kinzie Street. Taken on April 14, 1935 at 11:30 a.m.

19) View of corner store advertising Baby Ruth candy, Mama's Cookies and Sweet Tip Top Tobacco and Wings Cigarettes.

20) Wabash Ave Bridge looking West on North Water Street, June 28, 1931.

21) View of building on Southwest corner of Illinois Street and Cass, July 20, 1930.

22) Looking West by South showing alley and rear of building at 12-14 East Kinzie Street. Taken on April 14, 1935 at 11:30 a.m.

23) Wabash Ave Bridge looking East on North Water Street, June 28, 1931.

24) Looking West by South from Wabash Avenue lower level showing base of building occupied by Harry's New York Bar. Taken on April 14, 1935 at 11:00 a.m.

25) View of building on Northwest corner of Cass and Kinzie displaying advertisement for Lipton's Tea, July 20, 1930.

26) Wabash Avenue Bridge looking East on Austin Ave., June 28, 1931.

27) Looking South in Cass Street from Illinois Avenue., July 20, 1930.

28) View of the building on Northeast corner of Illinois Avenue and Cass Street, July 20, 1930.

29) View of the building on the Northwest corner of Illinois and Cass, July 20, 1930.

30) View of building for rent with fire escapes and American Printing Products sign in the window.

31) View down street next to Mme. Galli's Famous Restaurant.

32) View of Harry's New York Cabaret.

33) Looking East on Austin Avenue, July 20, 1930.

34) Looking South on Cass St. from Austin Avenue, July 20, 1930.

35) View of Wabash Avenue viaduct, March 25, 1931.

13 photographic prints: b&w; 8 x 10 in. , 1981:

36) View of the Congress Hotel.

37) View of the Amoco building.

38) Straight view of Santa Fe building and Borg-Warner building from the street during winter.

39) View of arch in front of the Art Institute; east entrance.

40) View of the Congress Hotel from sidewalk showing parked cars along street leading to the hotel.

41) View from the left of Santa Fe building and Borg-Warner building, showing cars at traffic light.

42) View southwest across Grant Park toward the Amoco building.

43) View from the traffic light of Almer Coe Opticians building, the John M. Smyth Co. building and the Michigan Avenue National Bank building.

44) View of the Amoco building and the Torco building. View from pedestrian bridge of the Ascot Motel and the Amoco building.

45) View of the Conrad Hilton and Essex Inn.

46) View of the Sears Tower from over railroad tracks.

47) View across Grant Park toward the Torco building and the Harrison Hotel.

48) View of Borg-Warner and Santa Fe buildings.