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Portland Block II
Life Span: 1872-1933
Location: SE corner of Dearborn and Washington streets
Architect: William Le Baron
Portland Block II
1872
The Portland Block, completed in 1872, was one of the first buildings erected in Chicago after the Great Fire of the previous year. It replaced Portland’s Block at the same location.
Portland Block was located on the southeast corner of Dearborn and Washington streets. This is an imposing structure of modern design. Built soon after the fire, the Portland block stands as a monument to the energy of capitalists whose faith in the future of Chicago was not shaken by the overwhelming misfortune. They had no scruples about placing $300,000 in this structure, which has always ranked as a popular place for the old and conservative men engaged in professional and mercantile pursuits.
To keep pace with modern improvements its owners have recently spent $30,000 in providing new light-shafts and lowering the entrance to the level of the street. Sixty suites of rooms are occupied principally by lawyers and capitalists.
RAND, McNALLY & Co’s BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS GUIDE TO CHICAGO, 1893
Fronts 75 feet on Dearborn and 100 feet on Washington Street, at the southeast corner. It is an old-style brick building with somewhat eccentric architectural treatment of materials. There are 6 stories and basement, 65 offices, and 2 passenger elevators. The occupants are bankers, attorneys, agents, and architects. The Portland was rebuilt in 1873, and remodeled in 1885. Its height is 80 feet.
Portland Block II
1872
The first home of The John Marshall Law School, from 1899-1933.
The John Marshall Law School officially opened in the building on Wednesday, September 20, 1899; and day classes commenced on October 2, 1899. Evening classes were instituted as early as October 10 of the same year.
Portland and Grannis Blocks
Andreas’ History of Chicago
1886
Chicago Tribune, March 22, 1933
Riehard W. Sears, one of the founders of Sears, Roebuck & Co., bought the Portland block in 1900 for one million dollars from D. Percy Morgan, one of the firm of Ennoch Morgan’s Sons. makers of Sapolio. The property, which fronts 120 feet on Washington ond 90 feet on Dearborn, is now owned by Mrs. Anna L. Sears, widow of R. W. Sears. For years it ranked as one of the city’s best known office buildings, with an imposing list of tenants.
Recently it was found that the tax problem had to be solved some way and it was decided that wrecking the building would he the solution. It has not been decided yet whether to lease the cleared space for a parking station or erect a low “tax payer” of one, two, or possibly three stories, according to John R. Magill, agent for the building.
Portland Block II
SE corner of Dearborn and Washington streets
Robinson Fire Map 1886
Volume 3, Plate 1
Chicago Tribune, May 28, 1933
The latest down town wrecking project is the old Portland block, at the southeast corner of Washington and Dearborn. This was built shortly after the fire and for many years ranked as one of the city’s lending office buildings. High taxes have convinced the owners that it will be cheaper to wreck it and lease the site for parking or perhaps erect a “taxpayer.”
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