Literary Landmark: Union Stockyard Gate - Upton Sinclair

Chicago, Ill.

Dedicated June 23, 2005

Partners: Illinois Center for the Book, the Lithuanian American Council, the Food and Drug Administration, Union Food and Commercial Workers, and the Weidman Family

This site commemorates the centennial of the novel The Jungle (1906) by Upton Sinclair. The book exposed the unsanitary conditions of the meatpacking industry and is said to have influenced President Theodore Roosevelt in passing the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. The novel chronicles Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, in his quest for the American Dream in the filthy Chicago stockyards.

The novel chronicles Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, in his quest for the American Dream in the filthy Chicago stockyards. The novel has become required reading for many American high school students.

The ceremony took place at 2 pm on Thursday, June 23 at the Union Stockyard Gate, Exchange Avenue at Peoria Street. Joining the Friends of Libraries U.S.A. were representatives of the Lithuanian American Council, The United Food and Commercial Workers, The Food and Drug Administration, the Illinois Center for the Book, and officials from the City of Chicago.

Resources:

Old Stone Gate of Chicago Union Stockyards - Chicago, Illinois (Waymarking)

Union Stockyard Gate to be Dedicated a Literary Landmark June 23, 2005 (PRWeb)