Union Stock Yard Gate

The Union Stock Yard Gate is a limestone entrance structure in Chicago that displays three arches of different sizes side by side. The middle arch opens wider and taller than the two flanking passages, with a stone sculpture mounted above it.

The structure was built in 1875 as the main entrance to the Chicago stockyards, which grew over decades into the largest slaughter center in the world. After the facilities closed in the 1970s, only this gateway survived.

The name recalls the days when cattle dealers and meatpackers drove thousands of animals through this entrance every working day. Visitors today see the stone figure of Sherman the bull above the center arch as a reminder of that former activity.

The gateway stands at the corner of Exchange Avenue and Peoria Street, where you can view it anytime from the sidewalk. Street parking is available nearby, and the site is easy to reach on foot.

The figure of Sherman the bull honors an animal that won prizes at an 1878 exhibition for its weight and breeding. This detail recalls that the site was not only about processing meat but also about showcasing animal husbandry.

Location: Illinois

Architects: Burnham and Root

GPS coordinates: 41.81855,-87.64837

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31