Illinois Central Land Department
Life Span: 1865-1871
Location: Michigan avenue, between Lake and South Water
Architect: W. W. Boyington
- Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1867
Land Department Illinois Central Railroad, office, 58 Michigan avenue.
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Illinois Central Land Department Building, es. Michigan av. bet. Lake and S. Water
Chicago Tribune, July 21, 1864
One of the most perfect stores in the city is being built on Michigan avenue, just north of the Adams House. It will run from Michigan avenue back to Central avenue, being 30 feet front by 130 feet in depth. Each front will be of marble, elaborately ornamented. The building will be three stories high, with a basement, and with the exception of the principal floor, which is rented as a store, will be fitted up as offices for the Illinois Central Land Department. The peculiarity of the building will be that it is perfectly fire-proof inside and out, being the only edifice of the character in the city, except the Custom House. Including a handsome slate roof, it cost fully $40,000, and is being built by the I.C.R.R.C. It will be of the Italian style of architecture, from plans by W. W. Boyington.
Chicago Illustrated, January, 1866
Chicago Tribune, January 2, 1865
I. C. R. R. Land Department Office.—A beautiful marble fronted building, perfectly fire proof inside and out, has just been erected on Michigan avenue north of the Adams House, by the I. C. R. R. Co., for a suite of offices for the Land Department. This is the only fire proof building in the city, with the single exception of the Custom House. It is 30 feet front, and runs back 130 feet to Central avenue, three stories in height, with basement and French roof. The building cost over $40,000.
Chicago Tribune, November 11, 1871
We understand that the brick arches in the Illinois Central Land Department building, and some others, have in every case proved to be worthless. The experience of our fire decides us in favor of iron ceilings.
Chicago Magazine, March, 1857
- The first Illinois Central Land Department building on the far left. The new building was built between the depot and the five-story Adam’s House on the right.
- Illinois Central Land Department Building
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
NOTES:
During the building of the Illinois Central R.R. in the 1860’s James and Francis Gregory were enticed by the ICRR’s offer of working on the railroad and as part of the deal they would receive farm land. This 1900 plat map of Amboy shows the land they were provided. Their brother, John Gregory, resided in Chicago to be a noted shipbuilder.
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