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Alexander Hesler, who photographed a panorama of the city of Chicago from the the top of the Courthouse in 1857, was born in Montreal, Canada, July 12, 1823. At twelve years of age, he went to Vermont, and attended school until twenty years of age. He then came to Racine in 1843, and engaged in the hardware business for four years. In 1847, going to Buffalo. N. Y., he commenced his career as an artist, and in 1848-49 worked at Madison, Wis. In the spring of 1849, he went to Galena. Ill., and in 1853 came to Chicago and opened an art gallery in the Metropolitan Block, moving it in 1858 to No. 113 Lake Street, where he remained until burned out by the Great Fire of 1871. His residence was in Chicago until 1865, when he moved to Evanston. After 1871, he opened a gallery in Evanston which he continued until 1879, when he moved it back to Chicago, to No. 96, State Street, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago
August 10, 1858
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
East
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
North
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
Northeast
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
East/Southeast 1
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
East/Southeast 2
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
South/Southeast
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
South/Southwest
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
Southwest
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
West
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
Northwest
Alexander Hesler’s Panorama of Chicago from The Courthouse
North/Northwest
This Daguerreotype was taken on July 4, 1855, by Alexander Heser. Montgomery and Emmett Guards being addressed by John Wentworth. Note that the third floor and dome were not added yet (1858). The basement was above ground.