Palmer Blocks
Location: State street, south of Washington
Life Span: 1868-1871
Architect: Otis L. Wheelock
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1869-70
Thayer F. Porter & Co. 110 and 112 State
Hollister & Phelps (Eli F. Hollister and William W. Phelps), carpets. upholstery, etc. 114 and 116 State
Gilbert & Sampson (George Gilbert and Joseph Sampson), furniture at auction, 113 and 115 State
Griggs S. C. & Co., S. C. Griggs, E. L. Jansen, Alex. C. McClurg and F. B. Smith), publishers, booksellers and stationers, 117 and 119 State
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870-71
Downs A. G. & Co. (A. G. Downs, R. A. Blair and William Reid) dry goods, 110 and 112 State
Hollister & Phelps (Eli F. Hollister and William W. Phelps), carpets and oilcloths, 114 and 116 State
Gilbert & Sampson (George Gilbert and Joseph Sampson), furniture dealers, 113 and 115 State
Keen W. B. & Cooke (William B. and David B. Cooke), booksellers and stationers, 113 and 115 State
Griggs S. C. & Co., Samuel C. Griggs, Egbert L. Jansen, Alexander C. McClurg and Frederick B. Smith), publishers, booksellers and stationers, 117 and 119 State
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Downs A. G. & Co. dry goods, 110 and 112 State
Hollister E. F. & Co.. carpets and oil cloths, 114 and 116 State
Gilbert & Sampson, furniture mnfrs, and dealers, 113 and 115 State
Keen W. B. & Cooke, booksellers and stationers, whol. and ret. 113 and 115 State
Griggs S. C. & Co., booksellers and stationers, 117 and 119 State
- Palmer Blocks
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
Chicago Evening Post, February 17, 1868
Griggs & Company, who are at present located at No. 41 Lake street (up stairs) have secured the magnificent double store in Palmer’s Block fronting both on Washington and State streets The work is going rapidly forward and the new store far more magnificent than the old one will be opened about the 15th of March.
Chicago Evening Post, March 5, 1868
Palmer’s splendid blocks on State street are fast approaching completion and it is hoped that before the end of the month they will be occupied with extensive and first-class stocks of goods. The first double store below Washington street and the store fronting on that street are both to be occupied by S C Griggs & Co for their book business; E. Porter Thayer & Co take up the next store with furniture and bedding; Hollister Phelps & Co come next to the alley with a stock of carpets and Gilbert & Sampson will occupy the whole main floor of the building south of the alley as auction and commission store.
Chicago Evening Post, April 16, 1868
A Splendid Carpet House.
The old established firm of Holister & Phelps, who are at the head of the oldest carpet house in the West, havejust removed to the new and magnificent block of Potter Palmer, Nos. 114 and 116 State street, where they have the finest carpet establishment in the West. Their great increase of trade imperatively demanded enlarged facilities, and the new, spacious double store which has just been fitted up, is every thing to be desired in this regard. It is 50 feet in width, 120 feet in depth, and occupies five stories and the basement. The first floor is 15 feet in height, the second 14 feet, the third 12 feet, the fourth 12 feet, and the fifth 10 feet. Each floor is finished in one large room, the three first rooms being adorned with ceilings in panel, and cornices, as elaborately wrought as may be found in our most elegant parlors. The stair rails and surroundings are finished in oak, walnut and ash, in natural colors, and the front windows and doors are of the finest plate glass. The rooms are lighted from three sides, and are admirably adapted to the display of goods. The stock consists of everything in the way of carpets, oilcloths and upholstery goods, and the firm can offer extra inducements to the wholesale and retail trade.
Chicago Evening Post, April 21, 1868
O. L. Wheelock.
A splendid five-story and basement block, on State street, opposite Potter Palmer’s new block, of Joliet marble, 96 feet front by 150 deep, built in the Renaissance style, with galvanized iron cornices, highly ornamented carved front, the center projecting 25 feet, and the two ends 14 feet each, making the main building back in a sort of recess. Will be commenced May 1st, for Messrs. Page & Sturges, and to cost about $100,000. To be built by day work.
Chicago Evening Post, May 1, 1868
Palmer’s two splendid blocks on State street, south of Washington, are now completed, and already occupied by Messrs. S. C. Griggs & Co., F. Porter Thayer, Hollister & Phelps, and Gilbert & Sampson. No finer store rooms can be found in the city. Palmer’s block on the northeast corner of State and Washington streets, which, it is said, is to be the finest in the city, is rapidly progressing, the heavy iron columns for the main story now being put in position. The First National Bank building, diagonally opposite, is also being pushed ahead, the basement walls being about completed.
Chicago Evening Post, May 6, 1868
More State Street Improvements.
The old time dwelling houses on State street are fast giving place to new and handsome business blocks, and before many years one will no more think of obtaining a residence on that street than on Wall street, New York.
The two story frame dwellings Nos 117 and 119 on the east side of State just north of Madison street, which stand upon rather large lots, are being removed to make room for a magnificent marble front block for Frank Sturges and Peter Page, Esq.
The building will be five stories high, with an extensive basement beneath, and will measure 96 by 150 feet The lower part is to be entirely of iron and the finest of French glass. The lights will be thirteen feet high and seven feet wide, and will be imported specially from Paris The largest plate glass in New York is only 12 feet 6 inches high. The block is to be of the “Renaissance” school, with the front highly wrought with shell ornaments and carved medallions. In the center is a projection four inches deep by twenty-five wide, with a richly carved oriel in the fourth story. At each end are nearly similar projections, each fourteen feet wide, and ornamented at the top with carvings and the owners’ names. The cornices will be of galvanized iron, projecting four feet, and boldly ornamented with deep recesses. From the central front rises a coronation of cut stone, also richly carved. The rear of the building, fronting on the alley, would a few years since, of itself have been thought a handsome front
The basement floor, extending beneath the sidewalk, has nearly two hundred feet of room, and is ten feet high. The main floor is sixteen feet, the second floor fourteen feet, the third thirteen, the fourth twelve, and the fifth eighteen. The total height to the roof is ninety-five feet, the ornamented coronation bringing it to one hundred and seven. The iron work will be the finest in the city, and the entire block one of the most massive and elegant ever erected in Chicago, being built expressly for heavy goods. The cost will be upwards of $100,000. O. S. Wheelock is the architect architect.
Chicago Evening Post, August 17, 1868
O. L. Wheelock, Architect.
Two magnificent marble front stores, for Frank Sturges and Peter Page, Esq., on State between Washington and Madison streets, to be five stories high, with basement, and will measure 96×150 feet. The windows of the entire front are to be filled with the finest of polished french plate glass, the large lights in store fronts will be seven by thirteen feet, made to order and imported from Paris. The block is to be of the renaissance style. The marble of the front is to be highly wrought with shell ornaments, carved medallions, etc. In the centre is a projection of 12 inches by 25 feet in width, with a richly carved oriel in the fourth story. At each end are similar projections ornamented at the top with carvings, and the owners’ names in large raised letters. The cornice will be of galvanized iron, highly ornamented and projecting four feet. Above the central front rises a coronation of cut stone, also richly carved. The height from the sidewalk to the top of the stone work is 107 feet. The iron work will be among the finest in the city, and the entire block one of the most massive and elegant to be found in America. It is being built by the day, and will cost about $130,000.
Chicago Evening Post, December 31, 1868
Building Improvements.
Block of stores by Sturges, Page and others, on State street, south of Washington, near $500,000.
Chicago Tribune, May 2, 1869
Hollister & Phelps.
Particular attention is invited to the advertisement of Hollister & Phelps, Nos 114 and 116 State street, in Potter Palmer’s Block, which appears in another column (right), and which gives a detailed list of their rich and elegant goods imported by them direct from Europe, forming as fine a stock as was ever brought to this market. Everything that pertains to the upholstering of a house, can be obtained at this establishment, of which the citizens of Chicago are usually proud. They do not neglect the minor details, however, and persons are sent out to hang out to hang window curtains, put up shades, place carpets, etc., all of which are artistically and properly done, for the drooping of a curtain, or the pattern of a carpet contributes as much to home comfort as the hanging of a picture or the binding of a book. The new and unique designs which Messrs. Hollister & Phelps have on hand are eminently deserving inspection.
Chicago Evening Post, May 2, 1869
Interesting to the Ladies.
The well known establishment of Messrs. A. G. Downs & Co., at No. 150 Lake street, received quite an accession to their already ample accommodations for furnishing dress and cloak goods, and other articles of ladies’ spring and summer costume. They have recently added a dress-making department, and the favorite and efficient modiste, Mrs. Slater, formerly Miss Mosher, has been engaged to take the supervision. Her popularity with the ladies, on account of her accuracy in fitting?has long been established. She has likewise been furnished with the best corps of assistants to be found in the city. By the first of April Messrs. Downs & Co. will remove to their new rooms, Nos. 110 and 112
State street, with a large assortment of spring and summer goods and trimmings. The dress making department wiil take especial prominence.
- The corner of State and Madison, looking Northeast after the Great Fire of 1871. This iconic photograph depicts the ruins of the Raymond Block, which was located on the northwest corner of State and Madison, while the Palmer Blocks were located just north of Madison on State.
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