S. B. Cobb’s Building

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Silas B. Cobb’s Building
Life Span: 1864-1871
Location: SE Corner Lake and Michgan
Architect: John M. Van Osdel

Norris’ Chicago Directory For the Year 1844

Cobb, Silas B.

Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863-64
Cobb Silas B., Cobb’s bldg., Dearborn, h. 148 Michigan

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1867
Cobb’s Block, southwest corner of Lake street and Michigan avenue.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Cobb’s Block—Southwest corner Lake street and Wabash av.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Cobb’s Block—Lake, sw. cor. Wabash av.

Land Owner, February, 1871

The accompanying engraving shows the first store ever built and operated in Chicago, that of S. B. Cobb, one of the earliest settlers. It was a saddle and harness store, where the “fast horses” of that day were fitted out.

Our merchant princes who now occupy palatial edifices on Lake and State streets, where real estate is worth fabulous prices, can realize from this illustration whence they sprung. We trow many of them would not care to have been the pioneer merchants of even this growing metropolis.

Chicago Tribune, May 7, 1862

City Improvements.-In a previous issue we alluded in brief to the preparations being made by Silas B. Cobb, Esq., for the erection of a block of stores on Dearborn street, near Madison, and which are to be completed by the 18th of September next. The block is to be one hundred feet front and sixty-eight feet deep, and four stories high, exclusive of a deep basement. The first floor will be divided into five stores, the upper floors into offices—a most desirable location, situated, as it, is between two lines of city railway, and quite near the Post-office. The architect is Mr. J. M. Van Osdell. The masoary is to be done by Mr. Waruer, and the carpenter work by Messrs. Wilcox & Ballard.

Chicago Tribune, January 7, 1864

Real Estate Improvements.—S. B. Cobb, Esq., is about to erect, on Lake street and Michigan avenue, a marble front block, containing five stores. The building will be five stories in height, and a basement excavated under the street and alley. The plans are not as perfected, but as soon as they are, the building will be commenced without delay. Three of the stores have already been leased at rental of $6,500, and since the agreement was signed another of $1,000 additional has been made. Property is worth Something in Chicago.

Chicago Tribune, July 21, 1864

On the southwest corner of Michigan avenue and Lake street, a magnificent structure, to be called Cobb’s Block, is in course of erectlon for Silas B. Cobb. The block will have a front on Lake street of 130 leet, and on Michigan avenue of 96 feet. It will be fire stories in height, the first being of iron and the remainder of cut stone, The first floor is to be divided into three stores, two of which will have a front of 52 feet each, and the third, dividing the two, will have a frontage of 22 feet. The corner store is already engaged by a first class wholesale dry goods firm. This bock will be ready for occupancy by September. It will cost about $90,000, and be undoubtedly one of the finest in appearance on Lake street.

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