The History of Chicago Sidewalk Nameplates (Stamps and Plaques).

Sidewalk stamps can be found on the streets of small and large American cities. These ubiquitous inscriptions are the proud commemorations of a job well done and a practical and long-term form of advertising. They are also explicitly required by law.

CITY OF CHICAGO RULES

RULES REGARDING CONSTRUCTION IN THE PUBLIC WAY UNDER

2‐102‐030(L); 2‐102‐040; 10‐20‐210

LAST UPDATED JANUARY 2014

Before the top or finishing of concrete walks has set, the contractor or person building the walk shall place in such walk in front of each lot or parcel of property a stamp or plate giving the name and address of the contractor or person building the walk and the year in which the work was done. The top of said plate or stamp, which must not cover more than 54 square inches of surface, shall be flush and even with the top of the finished walk, and must be of a permanent character plainly stamped or firmly bedded in the concrete in such a manner that it cannot become loose or be easily removed or defaced. Wherever one contractor or person has laid walks in front of three or more adjoining lots or parcels of property in one continuous stretch, one of the above named stamps placed in the walk at each end of said stretch of walk will be sufficient. (Prior code § 33-38; Amend Coun. J. 1-14-97, p. 37762, § 44)

The city code was adopted to hold the contractor responsible for their work should anything be defective in the concrete sidewalk they laid.

There are two different types of Nameplates, stamps, and plaques, and they serve two purposes — identification and advertisement.

The most common type of sidewalk marker is stamped into newly poured concrete. It becomes an indelible feature of the sidewalk, sharing the same space as children’s footprints and lovers’ inscriptions.

Stamps most often bear the name of the construction firm that laid the sidewalk, and the year the work was done. Additional information can include the company’s location and telephone number. Sometimes a stamp will carry broader information, such as the name of a subdivision and its developer.

The less common form is a precast brass plaque set into wet concrete. These are not “stamps” as such, although they are used similarly. 

Stamps and plaques are “permanent” in different ways. Stamps are part of the sidewalk and rarely filled in or removed. However, they are easily and often lost when a portion of the sidewalk is reconstructed. There are rare examples where an old stamp is integrated into a new sidewalk, but this is an exceptional occurrence. 

Brass plaques can be more easily removed from a sidewalk, although they are also most often removed when the sidewalk is reconstructed. They do have a better chance of surviving as individual artifacts.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.