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. saddler and harness maker, 171 Lake st. res. Michigan avenue
Fergus’ Chicago Business Directory, 1846
Cobb, Silas B., saddle and harness maker, 173 Lake.
Hall & Smith’s Chicago City Directory for 1853
Peck Charles E. harness and findings, 173 Lake
Otto William E. paper hangings, 71 Lake, h 240 Madison
D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859
Cobb Silas B., broker, 156 Lake, h. 148 Michigan avenue
Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863-64
Cobb Silas B., Cobb’s bldg., Dearborn, h. 148 Michigan
Halpin’s Chicago City Directory for 1864
Cobb’s Block, n s Washington, bet Clark and Dearborn streets
Cobb’s Building, 120 to 128 Dearborn street
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1867
Cobb’s Block, north side Washington, between Clark and Dearborn streets.
Cobb’s Block, southwest corner of Lake street and Michigan avenue.
Cobb’s Building, Nos. 120 to 128 Dearborn, between Washington and Madison streets.
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1869
Cobb’s Block—North side of Washington street between Clark and Dearborn.
Cobb’s Block—Southwest corner of Lake street and Wabash avenue.
Cobb’s Building—Nos. 120 to 128 Dearborn between Washington and Madison.
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, September 10, 1853
WILLIAM E. OTTO
Chicago Wholesale Wall Paper And Shade Manufactory. No.71 Lake Street.
Selected and purchased expressly for the Chicago market and vicinity. My facilities with the best home and foreign manufacturers, enables me to pledge to the public that in quality, beauty and cheapness, I mean not only to meet the present enlarged demands and tastes of my patrons, bat also to keep pace with our rapidly growing population.
Hall & Smith’s Chicago City Directory for 1853
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.
Leave a Reply