In 1908 this stretch of Halsted Street was dominated by the Union Stock Yards, on the west side of the street. Among the businesses on the east side of Halsted was the ornate building up the block at #4183—the saloon/bowling alley/Turkish bath/gambling hall owned by Big Jim O’Leary, son of the Mrs. O’ Leary of Chicago Fire fame.
Today the Yards are gone. The most notable landmark in the contemporary photo is the the Stock Yards Bank, modeled after Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. And though Big Jim’s “resort” is gone, his onetime mansion still stands a little over a mile south of here, at 726 West Garfield Boulevard.
For more on Big Jim O’Leary, his businesses and his mansion, see my book HIDDEN CHICAGO LANDMARKS. Available at bookstores or on Amazon.
Chicago History Today 
“Hidden Chicago Landmarks” is somewhere on my bookshelf, but did “Big Jim” do anything to encourage the fable of his mother?
Also, did the services at Big Jim’s go beyond just steam room and gambling? Was he competing against propietors in his mother’s old Levee neighborhood?
The O’Leary family didn’t like the legend that grew up around Mom and her cow. And if the “services” you’re talking about refer to prostitution, I’ve never read anything suggesting that Big Jim was in that business.
–JRS
How could you miss the long gone Stockyards branch of the L?
I already ran a post featuring the Stock Yards ‘L’ branch. Click on the “Canaryville” tag, and scroll down to “Then and Now, Wallace-40th Place.”
–JRS
Big Jim’s mansion is in rough shape these days, but the photos are pretty interesting: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/726-W-Garfield-Blvd-Chicago-IL-60609/87720902_zpid/
Thanks for sharing the link. When I took the exterior photo for my book in 2019, I noticed a step-ladder in a second floor widow. Evidently the interior work is taking a long time.
–JRS
My life, 1955-1959, at 5509 S. Green, and 837 W. Garfield
We lived in the Byrne Building and in the neighborhood, next to Visitation Church.
Welcome back, James! I haven’t heard from you for awhile.
–JRS
Thanks for missing me.
I have something for you if you want it: The Daily News Street Guide to Chicago.
1910-1911.
glassings1225@hotmail.com
Let me know…and where to send it
James–
Thanks much—I’d love to have it. My address is below,
Do you have any of my Chicago books? If not, give me your address and I will send you one.
Best,
John R. Schmidt 408 S. Delphia Ave. Park Ridge, IL 60068
I’d recheck the date on the picture showing 1915. It’s actually from 1908. I have a postcard canceled on December 3, 1908 to prove my comments.