Lay’s Block
Life Span: 1862-1871
Address: 76 and 78 LaSalle, between Washington and Randolph
Block and Subdivision: 40, Original Town
Architect: TBD
- Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863
Board of Education Office.—76 LaSalle, opposite the Court House.
Grommes & Ulrich, (Hubert Grommes and Michael Ullrich,) wines and liquors, whol, 78 LaSalle.
Grommes Hubert, (Grommes & Ullrich,) bds 195 Ontario.
Ullrich Michael, (Grommes & Ulltrich,) h 195 Ontario.
Halpin’s Chicago City Directory for 1864
Board of Education Office.—76 LaSalle, opposite the Court House.
Grommes & Ulrich, 76 LaSalle, refused information
John C. W. Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for 1866
Grommes & Ulrich, (Hubert Grommes and Michael Ullrich,) wines and liquors, whol, 76 and 78 LaSalle.
Board of Education, office room 2, 76 LaSalle
John C. W. Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for 1867
Grommes & Ulrich, (Hubert Grommes and Michael Ullrich,) wines and liquors, whol, 78 LaSalle.
Board of Education, office room 2, 76 LaSalle
Grommes Hubert, (Grommes & Ullrich,) bds 195 Ontario.
Ullrich Michael, (Grommes & Ulltrich,) h 195 Ontario.
Harvey Joel D., real estate agt 78 LaSalle, res Geneva, Ill.
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Board of Education Office.—76 and 78 LaSalle street.
Whipple T. H. & Co. (Thomas H. Whipple and John W. Warrin), detective agency, room 6, 76 and 787 LaSalle.
Chicago Tribune, April 30, 1862
On motion of Mr. Moseley, the committee appointed to provide rooms for the use of the Board, were instructed to lease the rooms, on Lasalle street, in Mr. Lay’s building, opposite the Court House, for the term of five years.
Chicago Tribune, May 7, 1862
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Election of President.
The annual meeting of the Board of Education was held at their new rooms in Lay’s Block, on Lasalle street, yesterday afternoon, at two o’clock. Present, Messrs. Foster, Steele, Carpenter, Newberry, Taft, Holden, Prindiville, Ryder, Higginson, Haven, Ward.
The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, and upon motion they were ap-proved.
Chicago Tribune, March 12, 1863
ATTENTION.
The undersigned begs leave to inform all friends of a pure glass of wine. that they hare opened in connection with their wholesale department, a new and splendidly fixed Sample Room at their business place, 76 76 LaSalle street, opposite the Court House, where they will sell all of (their own importation) wines, especially Rhine. French, Hungarian and Port Wines, Sherry, Maderia and Champaigne, in full and half bottles.
GROSSES & ULLRICH,
76 Lasalle st., opp. the Court House.
Chicago Tribune, December 12, 1865
DIABOLISM.
Attempt to Destroy a Liquor Establishment with an Infernal Machine.
Some time between nine o’clock on Sunday night and eight o’clock yesterday morning, a daring but unsuccessful attempt was made by some villain at present unknown, to destroy the liquor establishment of Messrs. Grommes & Ullrich, Nos. 76 and 78 LaSalle street. On entering the store yesterday morning, about eight o’clock, one of the clerks discovered lying on the floor of the office, which 1s located in the rear of No. 76 an earthen vessel filled with burning fluid. The jug was a long, cylindrical shaped affair, capable of holding about two quarts of liquid. It was tightly corked up, and to the neck were attached three long pieces of flat lamp wicking, thoroughly soaked in camphene. To each of these strips were sewed matches, ends of which showed marks of having been ignited.
The clerk, upon making a of the premises, discovered that the back window was open about two feet. The window was without fastenings, this being considered unnecessary, as a strong guard of iron bars on the outside would prevent ingress through the window. The incendiary, it is evident, had clambered upon a large coal box, which was standing directly, under the window, when to raise and the sash and pass the the jug in through the bars, throw it upon floor. was a comparatively easy job. The force of the fall cracked the vessel, and at the same time extinguished the matches, otherwise a conflagration must have ensued, as the establishment was filled with liquors and other inflammable materials.
The villain who made the attempt to destroy the establishment must have been well acquainted with its weak points and laid his plans accordingly. It is to be hoped that be will be speedily apprehended, and dealt with as his crime demands.
Chicago Illustrated, May, 1866
This View is taken from a point south of the Court House, taking in the north half of the block on LaSalle between Washington and Randolph streets, and so much of the block north as exhibits the building for many years known as the Metropolitan Hall, now occupied by Eastman’s National Business College. The east side of the public square is shown, and presents an appearance by no means worse than the reality.
The building upon the north corner of the block is built of Milwaukee brick, with stone trimmings, and is owned by H. H. Magie, Esq. It is occupied by Insurance agents and others: the Lumberman’s Insurance Company having the principal offices on LaSalle street. The next building is mainly used by Grommes and Ullrich as wine vaults and warerooms. The Board of Education have rooms also in the upper part of the building.
- Lay’s Block
Chicago Tribune, May 3, 1870
Fine Liquors.
The firm of Grommes & Ullrich, importers of fine wines and liquors, have removed to their new and spacious establishment, No, 146 South Clark street This well-known firm have direct connection with not only Germany and France, but every other portion of the world where wines and liquors are manufactured. They guarantee to supply customers with pure brands at New York prices. Their stack of Bourbons and ryes is not excelled by any in the city-
- Lay’s Block
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1869
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