Ross & Gossage Buildings
Life Span: 1869-1871
Location: 56 and 58 Washington
Architect: Otis Wheelock
- Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1869
Ross & Gossage (William M. Ross and C. Gossage), dry goods, 106 and 108 State, and 56 and 58 Washington
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Ross & Gossage (William M. Ross and C. Gossage), dry goods, 106 and 108 State, and 56 and 58 Washington
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 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.
- S. C. Griggs’ book store was briefly located at 106-108 State street, but relocated to 117-119 State within a year. Ross & Gossage moved in the vacated space in 1869.
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 Tribune, October 7, 1869
Opening Day.
Ladies will be reminded, by the advertisement to another column, that this is “opening day” at Ross & Gossage’s, Nos. 108 and 109 State street.
- Ross & Gossage Building
John Carbutt, Photographer
- Ross & Gossage Building
106 and 108 State, and 56 and 58 Washington
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
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