The film "Miracle on 34th Street" was filmed in Lake Forest and Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Filming Locations:

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

In the Movie

Scene where Dorey and Bryan mysteriously end up together in the church.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Rockefeller Chapel is a Gothic Revival chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago in Chicago. Designed by architect Bertram Goodhue in 1918-1924 and built in 1925-1928 without the use of structural steel, it contains about 70 integrated figural sculptures by sculptors Lee Lawrie and Ulric Ellerhusen, as well as interior works by mosaicist Hildreth Meiere. Today the chapel is used for ecumenical worship services, weddings, university convocations, guest speaker events, musical programs, and occasional film screenings. It occupies most of a city block and seats 1,700 people. The church was used only for interior scenes. Holy Name Cathedral Parish was used for the scene when Dorey arrives.

Holy Name Cathedral Parish

In the Movie

Scene where Dorey receives a postcard from Bryan. He asks her to come to the church after mass. She is surprised when she arrives.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Holy Name Cathedral replaced the Cathedral of St. Mary and the Church of the Holy Name, which were destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and was dedicated on November 21, 1875. Holy Name Cathedral was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style and at the same time incorporated motifs symbolizing the message of the modern church. The church building is 233 feet (71 m) long, 126 feet (38 m) wide, and seats 1,110 people. The ceiling height is 70 feet (21 m), and the spire reaches 210 feet (64 m) into the sky. Only the exterior of the church was used for filming. Interior scenes were filmed at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel.

Burnham Center

In the Movie

Scene where The department store CF Cole's.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Burnham Center, originally known as the Conway Building, and later as the Chicago Title and Trust Building, is a historic skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. Built with funds from the Marshall Field estate, it was the last building designed by Daniel Burnham before his death on June 1, 1912, and was completed in 1913. Reportedly, Macy's did not want to have anything to do with the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street." So the producers created the department store "CF Cole's" and want you to think it is in New York, but in reality the building's facade is the Burnham Center in Chicago.

Washington Road

In the Movie

Scene where Dorey Walker and Bryan Bradford receive the keys to their new home, Susan's dream house.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Lake Forest was laid out as a town in 1857 and was a stopping place for travelers heading south to Chicago.