James S. Kirk & Company Candle and Soap Manufacturer
Life Span: 1859-1871
Location: North Water Street
Architect: NA
Chicago Tribune, May 18, 1867
Between half-past four and five o’clock yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in the soap and candle factory of James S. Kirk & Co., Nos. 36 and 38 River street, and in less than one hour destroyed the entire establishment and its contents, involving a loss of fully $105,000.
The fire is believed to have originated in the excessive heat communicated from the boiler in the southeast corner of the basement, immediately beneath the counting-room of the building. It is understood that with the masonry upon which it rested the boiler quite filled the space from the foundation to the first floor. After the first discovery, of the impending danger the flames spread so rapidly that in the short space of five minutes the front portion of the first floor was a seething mass of flames.
Extending rapidly to the rear, and the upper floor, the inflammable nature of the entire stock was very soon at the mercy of the conflagration. The steamers arrived at the scene with their usual promptitude, but the fire had already obtained the ascendency, and defied the streams of water with triumphant mockery. Within half an hour after the fire was discovered, the building was considered defunct by the Fire Department, and their attention was devoted to guarding the five-story brick structures on either side of it.
The burned building was or brick, three stories and a basement in height, having a frontage on River street of about forty feet, and a depth of eighty feet, extending towards the river. The firm occupying it also owned it. Mr. Kirk, Mr. Thorne and Issac Maynard constituted the co-partnership. They have long been established in business and are well known for their business integrity and energy. Their trade consisted of the manufacture of soaps and candles, and within the last few months they had added fancy soaps to their line of trade. Their stock was very full, and valued at $97,000. Their loss was entire, except a few boxes of soda. Those in the office had barely time to lock the safe and leave. The safe was removed and preserved with all its contents uninjured.
The adjoining brick structures on either side. including their stocks, were not at all injured.
Still Doing Business.
Messrs. Kirk & Co., with their characteristic energy, have already made arrangements to continue their business. The firm has another factory at No. 919 State street and they may be found for the present at Nos. 310, 312 and 314 North Water street. where they are prepared to fill all orders promptly, and ask their friends to call on them, as they may rest assured that their wants will be attended to as promptly and their interests consulted as fully as heretofore.
- James S. Kirk & Company’s Factory
Chicago Tribune, May 21, 1867
READY FOR ORDERS.-Messte. James S. Kirk & Company, soap manufacturers, whose extensive establishment on River street was burnt last Friday desire it to be understood, that their other wand-factory at Nos. 310, 311 and 312 North Water street, is in fall operation, and that they are able to promptly fill any orders which may be given them in the came acceptable manner that they have always done.
- James S. Kirk & Co,
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
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