Schulze Baking Company Plant, Industrial heritage site in Washington Park, Chicago, United States.
Schulze Baking Company Plant is a five-story factory with white terra cotta walls and large windows arranged to highlight decorative elements throughout the structure. The construction shows careful balance between functional design and visible ornamentation.
The plant opened in 1914 and produced 150,000 loaves of bread daily. Later, Hostess Brands operated it as their Butternut Bread facility until closure in 2004.
The building reflects industrial growth on Chicago's South Side, where food production facilities shaped the neighborhood in the early 1900s. The factory was central to working-class life and shows how large manufacturing operations defined daily routines for residents.
The site sits at 40 East Garfield Boulevard between Washington Park and the Dan Ryan Expressway. Currently, protective scaffolding surrounds the perimeter, so visitors should watch for barriers and examine the exterior carefully.
The facade displays Sullivanesque elements in cream and blue created by Midland Terra Cotta Company with nature-inspired abstract patterns. These carefully crafted details are often overlooked but give the building a distinctive artistic character.
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