american depression era pressed heavy gauge single-sided steel sign letter salvaged from an old walgreens store located in chicago. the pressed and folded sign letter contains an older red paint finish over the original cherry red porcelain enameled finish. the sign letter was likely fabricated by the burdick enamel sign co., chicago, il. the walgreens chain began in 1901, with a drug store on the corner of bowen ave and cottage grove in chicago. by 1913, there were five walgreen drugstores. several improvements were added to the stores, including, but not limited to, soda fountains and luncheon. in the early 1920's, the company opened stores outside of residential areas and also introduced the malted milk shake in 1922. during this time walgreens established its own ice cream manufacturing plants to match the demand for ice cream. by 1925, there were approximately 44 stores located throughout the midwest.