Delaware State Building
Architect: E. L. Rice, Wilmington, Delaware
Area: 4,904
Cost: $7,500
Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894
THE DELAWARE BUILDING.—Delaware though not a large state, made an admirable showing at the Columbian Exposition, and the building had about it something so attractive, that it was thronged constantly. The edifice represented a Colonial cottage with wide verandas and balconies, and presenting from the outside a vast idea of comfort. Inside, the appointments were what might have been expected from such an exterior. There were the usual offices and a number of well finished rooms in which were displayed numerous objects of special interest. There was a flag carried by a Delaware regiment in the Battle of Brandywine; there was a cabinet of Delft-ware over one hundred and fifty years old, of that rich color now so seldom seen. There were old suits of clothing, such as gentlemen wore one hundred years ago, and samplers worked by the worthy dames who were their consorts. There was an old warming-pan—and the wonder is that warming-pans are not still used along the northern line of states— and there was a reproduction in clay of the old Swedes Church at Wilmington, built over two hundred years ago. The Swedes, it will be borne in mind, were among the first settlers in Delaware, and this old church built by them so long ago is used today as a place of worship. There are very few, if any, older church edifices upon the continent. Very creditable was the Delaware Building, and indicative of the state’s sturdy part in the making of that great story known as American history.
- New York and Delaware State Buildings
Delaware’s State building is constructed wholly from the native woods of the State. It is extremely picturesque in architectural effect. The building is 60 by 58 feet and finished with great care in all its details at a cost of $7,500. The interior is decorated in colonial style and contains models of many interesting edifices in that State, some of which were erected during the seventeenth century.
- Delaware State Building. New York State Building was next door.
Chicago Tribune, November 7, 1893
The Delaware Building has been sold to Ross & Fry for $800, but parties in Delaware are making an effort to raise money to buy it back.
The Morning News, November 14, 1893
Delaware Building Not Sold.
State Commissioner Henry C. Conrad announced yesterday that the Delaware building at the World’s Fair had not been sold. William C. Ross, a Chicago real estate dealer, was to buy it for $500, put as be did not have the cash the sale did not take place. There is no purchaser for the building now.
Delaware Gazette and State Journal, December 14, 1893
The Lump Posts Lost the Sale.
A certain Chicago contractor made up his mind, so the story goes, to make an offer of 81,000 for the Delaware Building at the World’s Fair He found, however, on taking measure, that the building, is more than 64 feet wide, which is the width of the Chicago streets. To move the building he would have to take down and then replace the lamp posts und telegraph poles along the removal route. This would bave entailed too much of an expense so he gave up the idea of purchase.
Delaware Gazette and State Journal, December 21, 1893
THE DELAWARE BULLDING.
Parties in This City Are Negotiating for Its Purchase.
On January 1st the World’s Fair Commissioners will surrender jurisdiction at Jackson Park. The State buildings, such as have not already been sold. do not go into the hands of the Jackson Park Commissioners. In the case of the Delaware Building, Commissioner Conrad says that the contract allows until May 1st for its disposal. Certain parties in this city are negotiating for its purchase. One of the gentlemen interested is out of town, thereby preventing an immediate arrangement of the sale. Were not for this fact advertisement of the sale of the Delaware Building would be made and the whole business closed up.
Delaware Gazette and State Journal, April 26, 1894
THE DELAWARE BUILDING SOLD.
Ellis Bennett of Chicago the Purchaser for 1400-It Will be a Lake Front Club House.
The Delaware Building at the World’s Fair grounds has at length been sold. The purchaser is Ellis Bennett, a Chicago contractor, who has paid the sum of $400 for it.
Delaware World’s Fair Commissioner George W. Emery went to Chicago last week to make the sale. This he has now completed and is here with the funds received. It constitutes the last of the Fair effects to be sold and now the commissioners have nothing to do but to prepare their report for the next meeting of the Legislature.
Mr. Bennett, the purchaser of the Delaware Building, intends removing the structure to the lake front where it will be used as a club house.
Chicago Tribune, April 7, 1895
Advertisement
Mr. Ellis Bennett, one of the proprietors of the Delaware hunting and fishing resort at Wolf Lake, Hegewisch, Ill., says: “I had rheumatism of the worst kind. I could not walk. I would drag myself along on crutches, but I had not been able to use my feet and legs for twenty months. The doctors said I was incurable—that I would never be able to walk again. One bottle of Munyon’s Rheumatic Remedy did actually enable me to walk. It was wonderful. Nothing had ever done me any permanent good but Munyon’s.”
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Bennett, Ellis—boathouse, 130th nr. Wolf Lake
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1910
Delaware Hotel, Eliis Bennett prop; E 130th and Wolf lake
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1911
Bennett, Ellis, prop. Delaware hotel E 130th and Wolf lake
Delaware Hotel, E 130th and Wolf lake
- Delaware House about 1970. Located in Hegewisch, IL. Hegewisch was part of the Hyde Park annexation on June 29, 1889.
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