Morrison Block

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Morrison Block
Life Span: 1870-1871
Location: SE corner of Madison and Clark Streets
Architect: Carter & Drake

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1867-68

Morrison Block

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Morrison Block—, East side Clark street, between Madison and Monroe.
Morrison Buildings—, East side Clark street, between Madison and Washington.
Bradner Smith & Co. mnfrs. and dlrs. in paper. 110 and 112 Madison
Spalding & Lamonte, printers and stationers, 114 Madison
Stanton & Co. grocers, 135 Lake, 49 State, and 143 Clark
Willoughby, Hill & Co. gents clothing, 147 and 149 Clark.

Chicago Evening Post, December 29, 1869

James Morrison one of the old residents of Chicago died of heart disease yesterday afternoon. He born in Washington county N.Y., in 1806 and came here in 1833 with four brothers who still live here. He was the builder of the Morrison Block, Clark street between Washington and Madison. It is understood that he leaves a large amount of his fortune to the building and permanent endowment of a public schooL He was one of the wealthiest property owners in the city and is believed to have left $750,000. He was twice married and leaves a wife and one child.

Chicago Tribune, October 7, 1870

CARTER & DRAKE.
First-class four story building, to be occupied as stores and offices, corner of Clark and Madison streets, 90×100 feet, for Mrs. Orsemus Morrison. Cost, $8,000

The Land Owner, February, 1871

THE MORRISON BLOCK, CORNER OF CLARK AND MADISON STREETS, CHICAGO.
The building which we herewith present adds another to the already long list of elegant and substantial business edifices that have been erected in this city during the past season. It stands on the south-east corner of Clark and Madison streets, and presents an appearance to the observer that is not easily forgotten.

The building, just completed for occupancy, has been erected by the Morrison estate, under the supervision of G. W. Spofford, Esq., and the architects, Messrs. Carter and Drake. It is of white limestone, elaborately carved, with heavy cornices and projections, and is one of the most attractive business edifices in the West. The engraving shows its details so perfectly, that it would be useless for us to recapitulate them in the text, as the mind is much easier impressed by the sight.

The building is now almost wholly occupied by the following well-known and substantial business firms:

Stanton & Co.
This favorably-known grocery house, which was first established in this city in 1859, occupies the large store forming the angle, which, to accommodate their extensive business, have all been thrown into one magnificent salesroom. It is fitted in black walnut of a very rare and unique pattern, at a large expense, and is without question the handsomest as well as the largest and best appointed retail grocery house in the country. It forms the third store of the firm, they having been long established at their old stands on State and Lake streets, which are kept in operation the same as before, this magnificent corner store was opened to the public.

Boston Square-Dealing One Price Clothing Store
The next store on Clark street is occupied by Messrs. Willoughby, Hill & Co., clothiers, who established themselves there early in October, last. This firm has branch houses in Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, Troy, New Haven, Bridgeport, and other cities. They manufacture yearly over two million dollars worth of men’s, youths’, and children’s clothing. Last year they made up over 700,000 different garments, often consuming all the goods manufactured by certain mills for three to six months at a time. They have in all a chain of twenty-two stores, and have established a name for dealing that is its own precursor of success.

Messrs. Bradner, Smith & Co.
Passing around the block to the Madison street side, we find another new edifice adjoining it on the east, erected at the same time by Mr. Rosenberg, a capitalist of Chicago, and corresponding with the Morrison block in appearance. Here is an immense double store, 192×45 feet, occupied by Messrs. Bradner, Smith & Co., a well-known paper house. This firm was established on LaSalle street in 1854, from which time their business increased to such an extent that their removal was necessitated last fall to their present elegant and commodious location. Their basement is 210×45, and is used for the storage of manilla, tea, straw board and other descriptions of wrapping papers, in which they deal. Their store is without doubt the best appointed in this line of business in the country. Their upper floors are devoted to the storage of goods in cases, and contain an immense stock of cardboards, wrapping and printing papers, twines, envelopes, etc. This house manufactures the celebrated Winnebago and other papers for mercantile, express, hardware, stationery, book and printing purposes, and being strong in capital and resources—having control of several mills exclusively—they enjoy a large and constantly increasing trade.

Spaulding & Lamonte
The next store west, No. 114 Madison street, is occupied by Messrs. Spaulding & LaMonte, printers, stationers, and bookbinders, recently removed from 128 Lake street. Their press room in the basement is 185 feet long, and contains sixteen steam presses, two of which are as large as there are in the West, and especially adapted to fine colored and cut work. They also have job and book, composing and bindery rooms, employing about 100 men in their various departments. Besides their large blank book and stationery business, this firm print a large number of regular newspapers and magazines for the publishers, among them The Little Corporal, The Western Home, The Pharmaceutist, etc.

Messrs. Jameson & Morse.
Prominent among the many excellent firms occupying the new block is that of Messrs. Jameson & Morse, book and job printers, well known as one of the oldest firms in that line of business in the city, having been continuously under one management since the spring of 1856. Since their removal from La Salle street their facilities have been considerably increased, by the addition of new and improved styles of type and new machinery, while their rooms are ample, and as well adapted to business wants as any in the West. Banking, insurance, railroad, mercantile, and legal printing are given special attention, while other varieties are not neglected by them.

Real Estate Offices of Jas. H. Keeler.
On the second floor, entering from Clark street, is located the real estate office of Jas. H. Keeler, No. 145 Clark. Mr. Keeler has one of the finest real estate offices in the city, and does a large business in lots and lands, collecting rents, negotiating loans upon city property, managing estates, etc. His location in the new block will appear from the sign. Non-resident property holders should correspond with him.

Enhancement of Real Estate.
The erection of such a block as this has greatly enhanced the value of property in its vicinity, while its fine class of tenants has entirely changed the character of the neighborhood, and revolutionized real values for several blocks around.

Our engraving represents the entire structure on Clark street as it will appear. The last store south has not yet been completed.

Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1870

Opening of Stanton’s New Store
Yesterday afternoon a number of gentlemen visited, by special invitation, the new corner of Madison and Clark streets, which was then opened for the first time. Lawyers, railroad men, merchants, and journalists were present, and united in praising the handsomest and the most perfect grocery store in this city. The Lake and State street stores of this firm have fine goods, but they cannot compete in beauty and richness of appearance with this new one.

This store has a frontage of 23 feet on Clark and 76 on Madison, and, with its basements below, which are used for the storage of wines, liquors, etc., affords ample accommodations. With many large windows, and a profusion of handsome chandeliers, it is well lighted by day and night. Doors on Madison and Clark give an easy means of access. That which first attracts attention is not the large and airy room, the piles of cigar boxes, bottles, and standard goods, but the admirable finish of counters and cases. They were the work of H. Liebenatien & Co., No. 167 and 169 Randolph street, who displayed fine artistic taste and good judgement in their choice of materials and the manner of employing them. The woods used are black walnut and ash, and the former, where it occurs in counters, etc., is very highly polished. The cashier’s desk, which stands in the centre of the room, and facing east, is a fine specimen of their work, and its rich simplicity would not be out of place in a church. The walnut panels are beautifully veneered. The bins are of ash, very delicately finished, and harmonize with all the other appointments. The floor is made of strips of black walnut and ash, laid in geometrical patterns. Taken as a whole, this store is something more than a mere place for the sale of goods. It is a triumph of good taste, reflecting credit on the men who did it, and the firm which ordered it. The total cost of these appurtenances was about to $10,000.

These sumptuous cases and shelves are not unfitly furnished. We all know the high reputation that the articles sold by Stanton & Co. have always enjoyed. There is nothing lacking in their ample assortment, and all is excellent of its kind. Their great specialty, however, is imported cigars. The house has always been celebrated for them, but it is their intention to do still better than heretofore. They have a special agent at Havana, who is constantly procuring for them the finest products of Cuba. All brands are to be found in the northern part of the store has been set aside for their sale. They will also make a specialty of wines and liquors, of which they have great quantities on hand, and all the first quality. There will also be found, of course, all goods which form part of a grocery business.

After an inspection of the store by the guests, they were invited to partake of an oyster lunch, spread by Kinsley, which, like all of his efforts in that line, was most excellent. That disposed of, the company separated, gratified by what they had been—by these evidences of the enterprise of this Chicago firm, and of the way in which the public has sustained it

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