Farwell, Brinkerhoff, Smith & Stearns Building
Life Span: 1870-1871
Location: 159 to 161 Washington, Between LaSalle and Wells
Architect: John M. Van Osdel
- Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Connecticut Mutual Life Ins. Co. Moore & Stearns, agts. 161 Washington
Stearns J. K. (Moore & Stearns),r. 379 Wabash av.
Dunning & Easton, lawyers, room9, 161 Washington
Meeker A. B. & Co., pig iron and coal, 159 Washington, 310 Lumber and 7 N. Market (See card)
Chicago Iron Works, A. B. Meeker, pres. J. H. Wrenn, sec. 159 Washington
Talcott W. lawyer, 161 Washington, r. 284 Michigan av.
Felch James, lawyer, 161 Washington
Dunning & Easton, lawyers, room9,161 Washington
Health Lift The, F. W. Reilly, physician in charge, 159 and 161 Washington
Gallup, Clark & Co. com mer room 3, 161 Washington
Oliphant John C. salesman, Field, Leiter & Co. r. 161 Washington
Jones H. W. physician, 161 Washington,r 49 S. Ada
Chapman E. L. realestate, 159 Washington
Clampitt J. W. realestate, 159 Washington
North America Life Ins. Co. of N. Y., H. M. Wilcox, agt. 159 Washington
Miller C. H. realestate, 159 Washington, r. Lake av. cor. Egan av.
Occidental Insurance Co. of San Francisco, J. L. Ross, agt. 159 Washington
Chicago Tribune, October 7, 1870
JOHN M. VAN OSDEL.
South Division.
The building now approaching completion on Washington street, between LaSalle and Wells, presents the most elaborate and beautiful stone front which has yet been erected in the city, and furnished a rich addition to the many imposing edifices to that locally. It is designed as an office block, and is owned by C. B. Farwell, Mrs. (George M.) Brinkerhoff, Sol Smith and J. K. Stearns. The building occupies a space of 61 feet front, and 102 feet deep, and is 5 stories in height, inclusive of the basement. There are two entrances, leading to a hall to be used in common by two owners, but each having an independent stairway from the basement to the upper story, both of which are well lighted by a skylight. The front is in the modern Italian style.
It is richly ornamented, yet not overloaded, and has a good relief and play of light and shade. The fluted Corinthian columns on each side of the entrances stand out full and bold from the building, giving a massive effect which is too often wanting in fronts where there is such a wealth of ornamentation. A similar effect is given in each of the stories above. The columns in the first story are surmounted by carved brackets, supporting an open pediment, in which is placed an urn resting upon a very ornate keystone. Above this the third story are boldly projecting balconies, with stone balustrades, the floors of each weighing seven tons. Above this is an open pediment, with an urn, forming a canopy over the balcony, while the galvanized iron cornice has a break over this canopy. The engaged columns at the windows are smooth, round, with carved capitals. The heads of the windows are level, with circular corners, the keystones being enriched with beautiful carving. The whole forms a massive and unique design which is highly creditable to the taste of the architect, and to the stone-cutters, Reed & Dawson, who have erected the mechanical parts of the work, with considerable skill and care. The last of the to huge stone plates, which, as above stated, constitute the platforms of the two balconies of the third story, was raised only a few days ago to its future resting place. These two stones are said to be the heaviest ever placed in any building in Chicago. The interior of the building, which will be mainly devoted to insurance offices, will fitted up in a style to correspond with the richness of the exterior. The entire cost will be $90,000.
- Farwell, Brinkerhoff, Smith & Stearns Building
P. B. Greene, photographer
Chicago Tribune, March 3, 1871
From the plans which have already been prepared by Mr. John M. Van Osdel, the architect, we are enabled to present a sketch of the new structure as it will appear when completed, seen in the drawings, it will totally sustain the reputation of the architect, who planned last year, the finest front (that of the Farwell Building, on Washington street) which the city can boast. The same richness of ornamentation is observable in the proposed new building as in the one just alluded to, although it will not present, perhaps, quite so bold a relief.
Chicago Evening Post, December 23, 1871
The rubbish is being cleared away, and other preparations made, for rebuilding the elegant stone front buildings which stood on Washington street, just west of the Merchants’ Insurance building. Workmen are now engaged taking down the elaborate stone front of Chas. B. Farwell’s building which stood the fire so gallantly, to make room for the new structure, which will be scarcely inferior in beauty to the old.
- 159-161 Washington after the Fire
Photographed by Jex Bardwell
- Washington Street, Looking East from Wells Street
Lakeside Fire Memorial, Lakeside Press, 1871
- Farwell, Brinkerhoff, Smith & Stearns Building Wall Ruins.
- 159-161 Washington prior to Farwell, Brinkerhoff, Smith & Stearns Building
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
BLOCK 37
Chicago Block 37, on which the Charles Farwell building was located, continued to be a star-crossed site. In 1989 the city demolished the deteriorated properties then on the block, and, only after almost twenty years of discussions, disputes, and deals that fell through, it has only recently been redeveloped. During a portion the period when Block 37’s fate was in limbo, however, it hosted a summer outdoor art studio for Chicago public school students—named gallery37—and a skating rink during the winter.
- LEFT: Block 37, 1830
RIGHT: Block 37, 1989
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