Kate Warne (1833 – 1868).

May 13, 2025

Kate Warne is known as the first female detective in US history. [1] I found this fact captivating. To discover her world, I needed to think like her. She convinced Allan Pinkerton, founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, to hire her. The agency was originally based in Chicago. At different points in history, three complexes housed the agency along Kendall Blocks I, II & III. Whether razed and rebuilt or burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire, the agency represents a colorful chapter in Chicago history.

I decided I’d attempt to reconstruct Warne’s daily pathways through my own investigative work. My images are a composite of my explorations. Photo One depicts a portion of an office building, circa 1854. I superimposed the number ’40’ over the number ’36’ (featured on the present-day street sign) as a means to draw attention to anomalies I encountered while hunting down the original offices. Other than the fact that this sign is on the corner directly across from Block 37, I’m not sure why ’36’ appears on this sign post.

According to page 74 of a present-day plat map, Block 36 is actually Block 58 which runs adjacent to Block 57. [2] Block 57 is historically known as Kendall Block I — the location of the Kendall Bros. Steam Bakery from 1852 – 1871. [3] From what I could deduce, Allen Pinkerton may have leased offices from Kendall Bros. Sources indicate Kendall Block I was the approximate location of Pinkerton’s agency (founded circa 1850). The structure housing the agency was enlarged or raised around 1865. [4]

Today, Block 57 is the site of the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building. Photo Two is my image of this complex. Land along West Washington between Dearborn, Clark and State is Chicago’s hub for the local court system and for government offices. Kate Warne is remembered for her cunning methods of disguise which afforded her opportunities to infiltrate Washington society; she ultimately uncovered a plot to assassinate President Lincoln. Allen Pinkerton promoted her to manage her own group of female detectives. [ibid 1.]