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Bushnell’s Addition to Chicago
By:
Asa F. Bradley
Date:
Sept 5, 1842
Dimensions:
24 x 19 inches (61 x 48.25 cm)
Signatures:
Asa. F Bradley, L Kercheval (Lewis C.), Eli B. Williams (Recorder) Signed also by
Proprietors: James Fitch, Orsamus Bushnell and Charles Butler.
Bushnell’s Addition to Chicago shows the names of the various real estate investors of what is
now known as the “Near North” neighborhood of Chicago. The map extends from Chicago
Avenue to Division Avenue and just west of LaSalle Street to just east of Dearborn Street.
Along the west side of LaSalle two Chicago – Galena Union Railroad buildings are noted as
well as a few other companies. Three original property owners split the parcels, which are noted
with their names as well as color coded. Lots belonging to Charles Butler (President of the
American Land Company) are marked in yellow, Orsamus Bushnell in green and lots belonging
to James Fitch (many of which were transferred to a Mr. Starr) are uncolored.
At the near center of the map is the original dedication of Washington Square. It is known fact
that Bushnell, Butler, and Fitch donated the square to the city of Chicago and this map provides
written proof of the act. Within the square, outlined in Orange, the following text appears:
Washington Square 316 feet Square Donated to the City of Chicago upon condition that the
same be enclosed by the City, with a handsome post & board or picket fence within 5 years &
kept enclosed forever, for use as a Public Square.
Across the street from Washington Square to the North sits block 10 belonging to Orsamus
Bushnell. Block 10 would later become the site of the Mahlon D. Ogden (brother of William B.
Ogden) mansion, which was one of the few buildings saved during the Chicago Fire by a
combination of luck and the timely application of soaked carpets to the building's exterior in
order to protect it from flying sparks and large pieces of flaming wood that whirled through the
air and spread the fire. As the Ogden brothers were originally from the small town of Walton,
New York, La Fayette Place would later be changed to Walton Avenue. Since 1890 the site has
been occupied by the world renowned Newberry Library, which has become a beacon for the
study and preservation of maps and Chicago history.
Condition:
Hand colored manuscript map on
paper with several breaks, backed by fine
cloth with remnants of a red cloth edge binder.