History on the Line: Preservation Chicago Champions Near West Side's Legendary 'Union Row' Labor Halls

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Near West Side · March 21, 2026

Near West Side's deep-rooted labor heritage is getting a powerful champion this spring. Preservation Chicago has placed the neighborhood's historic union halls on its 2026 "Chicago 7 Most Endangered Buildings" list, shining a national spotlight on the treasured structures that once made this corridor the beating heart of American organized labor.

The Near West Side was home to more than 30 labor organizations by the mid-20th century, earning it the storied nickname "Union Row." Among the flagged properties is Teamster City at 300 S. Ashland Ave., a landmark building that embodies the grit and solidarity of generations of Chicago workers. The halls trace their roots to watershed moments in U.S. labor history — from the 1886 Haymarket Affair to the 1894 Pullman Strike — making them irreplaceable anchors of the neighborhood's identity.

Preservation Chicago's advocacy is a rallying cry for residents and history lovers alike: these buildings deserve to stand. Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming Preservation Chicago events, follow the organization's campaign at preservationchicago.org, and reach out to local aldermanic offices to voice support for landmark protections. Saving "Union Row" means preserving a piece of Near West Side — and all of Chicago — for generations to come.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/04/chicagos-most-endangered-buildings-2026-yukon-building-labor-union-halls-and-south-side-apartments/