The July 28, 2004 issue of the Chicago Tribune contained an article by Alan G. Artner concerning overlooked places to visit in Chicago called, "A dozen visual gems you probably won't find listed in a travel guide."

One of the places mentioned was the entrances and exits to Quincy "L" stop, located at Wells and Quincy Streets. Artner wrote, "President John Quincy Adams was a chess player who collected chess sets." When the original structure, honoring John Quincy Adams, was built in the 19th century, it featured, as part of the architecture, decorative pawns "at the base of slanted roofs covering the staircases."

However, the original structure was modified in the 1950's and the pawns were removed. Then, in the 1980's during a renovation, the pawns were replaced.

Entrance to the Quincy "L" stop.


 

Thomas Jefferson played chess with Ben Franklin, James Madison and his close friend, John Adams (and possibly Aaron Burr). John Adams taught his son, John Quincy Adams to play. One of John Quincy Adams' chess set is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.