Building Name(s): 96-98 Lake Street, American Express Company, American Merchants’ Union Express Co.
Life Span:~1857-1871
Address: 96-98 Lake Street, NW corner Lake and Dearborn
Block and Subdivision: 17, Original Town
Architect: Edward Burling
- Gager’s Chicago Directory for the Year, 1856
Devoll Joseph A., jeweler, 96 Lake, 3m
Kelsey Calvin C., daguerreotypist, 96 Lake st. h 114 Monroe 9y
Stevens Geo. W. & Co., watches and jewelry, 96 Lake st. 3m
D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859
American Express Co., James C. Fargo agt, Lake nw cor Dearborn, (See card front cover)
Keith Charles H. & Son, (Charles H. and Benedict F.), auction and com mers, 16 and 18 S. Dearborn
Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863
American Express Co., cor. Lake & Dearborn, James C. Fargo Sup’t
Wetherell H. W. & J. M., (Harlus W. and James M. Wetherell,) millinery and straw goods, 96 and 98 Lake
John C. W. Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for 1867
American Express Co., Charles Fargo supt.; O. W. Barrett, agt., nw cor Dearborn and Lake
Wetherell H. W. & J. M., (Harlus W. and James M. Wetherell,) importers millinery and straw goods, 96 and 98 Lake
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
American Merchants’ Union Express Co. Charles Fargo, asst. gen. supt. O. W. Barrett, agt. Lake, nw. cor. Dearborn, and 16 to 20 Dearborn, stables. D. C. Leach, supt. 72 Monroe
Wetherell H. W. & J. M., (Harlus W. and James M. Wetherell,) millinery goods, 96 and 98 Lake
Ottawa Free Trader, January 15, 1853
C. C. Kelsey’s Daguerreotypes.
So long celebrated for their exquisite beauty and artistic finish, continue as heretofore to take the lead, as will be seen by the award of a Gold Medal at the late Fair, (1852) the judges pronouncing them the Finest Daguerreotypes they had ever seen. Likenesses taken equally well in the darkest of Weather. Call and examine his extensive and choice collection.
Artists will find in his Stock Department the largest and cheapest assortment of Daguerreotype Goods in the west. No. 96 Lake st., opposite the Tremont, Chicago.
New Covenant, March 18, 1854
C. C. Kelsey, Daguerreotypist, No. 96 Lake Street, (Opposite the Tremont House.) Awarded the Gold Medal for the best Daguerreotype in 1852. Likenesses taken equally well in the darkest weather. A full assortment of Daguerreotype Stock constantly on hand and for sale at low prices.
Chicago Tribune, July 1, 1859
The great sale of the unclaimed goods of the American Express Co. takes place to day at 91 o’clock, at the saleroom of Chas. H. Keith & Son, 16 and 18 Dearborn street.
Western Railroad Gazette, February 11, 1860
Purchasing Agency of the American Express Company.
Our friends in the country have reason to congratulate themselves upon the facilities extended through the ageney of the American Express Company, recently established in this city. This agency is actively superintended by J. H. Durfee, Esq., who is well qualified to afford satisfaction to all parties doing business through him. All that is necessary, is to send on your orders, and they will be promptly attended to-from a needle to an anchor, a tea-kettle to a steam engine, a sugar bowl to a hogshead of molasses, a boy’s vest to a suit of ready-made clothing; from a finger ring to a bell that will ring fire alarms, from a pair of shoes to leather that will last a community, from the latest periodical to a sufficiency of books to stock a circulating library, from a ton of coal to a car load.
Orders not amounting to $5, from places within reach of the company’s daily Ex. presses (except on perishable articles, or goods cut to order) can be paid for on delivery. When the amount exceeds $5, bills for collection will accompany the goods.
Castings, watches to be repaired, goods to be colored, kegs, cans, or bags to be filled and returned by this agency, are carried into Chicago free. Commission charged only on articles shipped by freight trains. Be particular, when sending orders, to give date and residence.
Address J. H. Durfee, Purchasing Agent American Express Company, Chicago, III.
P. S.—Orders handed to agents or messengers will reach the office sooner than by mail.
- American Express Receipt
1860
Chicago Tribune, September 16, 1869
Removal.
The office of the Merchants’ and Peoples’ Despatch Wast Freight Lines of the American Merchants Union Express Company has to-day been removed from No. 68 Washington street to No, 16 Dearborn street, where all shippers, desiring prompt despatch of the higher classes of freight from the Eastern cities, prompt settlement of valid claims, and gentlemanly treatment, will do well to call.
- Lake Street Looking East from Clark Street.
Arrow indicates 96-98 Lake at Dearborn and Lake streets.
John Carbutt, 1866
- 96-98 Lake Street
1862
- American Express Co
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
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