Images from the James S. Parker Collection
The images accompanying the Robert P. Crawford Audio Collection tapes are from
the James S. Parker Collection, a collection of approximately 50,000 8" x 10" black
and white negatives and 850,000 35-mm negative images of Chicago from the midnineteenth through the twentieth centuries. The University Library acquired this
collection in 2003, with funds from the John Needles Chester Trust.
Mr. Parker owned the firm Copelin Commercial Photographers, which was in
continuous operation in Chicago beginning in 1856. Mr. Parker's association with the
firm began in the 1960s, first as a partner, then as sole owner.
Copelin Commerical Photographers compiled an extensive record of Chicago's built
environment. As a consequence, the Parker Collection includes photographs of parks,
bridges, intersections, private houses, and public buildings, including photographs of
the storefronts of all downtown Michigan Avenue buildings. The collection is very
strong in images of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, with photographs of original
sites and the constructions or vacant lots that succeeded them.
Mr. Parker was responsible for managing the legal photography for the City: whenever
there was an incident or accident involving City property, Mr. Parker's team was there
to document it. Mr. Parker was the unofficial photographer for Mayor Richard J. Daley,
and the collection has a very strong representation of public events -- dedications,
parades, memorials, and other ceremonies -- attended by the Mayor.
The Parker Collection is a major addition to the University of Illinois at Chicago's
nationally significant photographic holdings.
Richard J. Daley was Mayor of Chicago from 1955; he died in office in
1976.
rjd1.jpg Opening the Central Water Filtration Plant; now named the Jardine plant.
rjd2.jpg Opening the Central Water Filtration Plant; now named the Jardine plant.
rjd3.jpg Dedicating Olive Park. Mayor Daley is standing with the mother and father
of Milton Olive, who served and died in Vietnam and for whom the park is named.
rjd4.jpg Opening the Central Water Filtration Plant; now named the Jardine plant.
rjd5.jpg A young Richard J. Daley
rjd6.jpg Mayor Daley swearing in Chicago police officers.
rjd7.jpg The Legion of Honor
rjd8.jpg Richard J. Daley on State Street.
rjd9.jpg Richard J. Daley with an unidentified man and woman.
rjd10.jpg Mayor Daley with Chicago firemen.
Michael A. Bilandic was Mayor of Chicago from 1976-1979.
The Michael A. Bilandic papers are a recent gift to the University Library.
bilandic1.jpg Mayor Bilandic at Cabrini Green with boy scouts
bilandic2.jpg Michael Bilandic, his wife Heather, and John Madigan are pictured at a
city garden contest.
bilandic3.jpg : Mayor Bilandic at Cabrini Green with boy scouts
bilandic4.jpg Michael and Heather Bilandic go shopping
bilandic5.jpg Michael and Heather with three unidentified African-Americans.
bilandic6.jpg At Daley Plaza
bilandic7.jpg At Daley Plaza
bilandic8.jpg: Opening Indiana Avenue bridge, 1977
bilandic9.jpg: Daley Plaza, inside, 1979.
Jane M. Byrne was Mayor of Chicago from 1979-1983.
byrne1.jpg Jane Byrne and her husband, Jay McMullin.
byrne2.jpg (L to R) Celebrating her election victory. Cookie Laurino, Jane Byrne, her
father, her daughter and an unidentified man.
byrne3.jpg (L to R) Mrs. Russo, Congressman Russo, Mrs. Annunzio, Congressman
Frank Annunzio, Jane Byrne, and Rosalind Carter, the wife of President Jimmy
Carter.
byrne4.jpg Jane Byrne with Congressman and Mrs. Russo
byrne5.jpg Columbus Day parade. Ald. Louis Farina at the podium.
byrne6.jpg Jane Byrne
byrne7.jpg: St. Pat’s Day Parade, 1981. The Byrne look.
Harold Washington was Mayor of Chicago from 1983 till he died in
office in 1987.
washington.jpg Groundbreaking at California & Touhy. The picture includes Alderman
Bernard Stone, Harold Washington, and James S. Parker.
washington2.jpg Harold Washington was a man of the people.
washington3.jpg Greeting his constituents, old and young.
washington4.jpg At a Greek-American Day parade.
washington5.jpg Opening an unidentified city works project.
washington6.jpg Columbus Day parade. (L to R) Cong. Frank Annunzio, an
unidentified woman, Mrs. Annunzio and Harold Washington.
washington7.jpg Bernie Fiorito, Harold Washington and James S. Parker.
washington9.jpg Greek parade
Richard M. Daley has served as the current Mayor of Chicago since
1989.
rmd1.jpg Sworn in as mayor with his wife Eleanor and their children watching.
rmd2.jpg At a bridge
rmd3.jpg Christmas parade float.
rmd4.jpg Reopening State Street, 1999.
rmd5.jpg On a reviewing stand
rmd6.jpg Columbus day parade, 1989
rmd7.jpg Michigan Avenue Lights
rmd8.jpg : The Daley handshake. Rich Daley, Pucillo and Boyle in Mayor’s office,
Dec. 1994