C.O.D. Block

C.O.D. Block, Toledo Hall
Life Span: ~1875-1895
Location: NW corner of Clark and Madison
Architect: TBD

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1887
Atwood Frederick M. c.o.d. clothier, Clark nw. cor. Madison, h. 2344 Prairie av.

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1892
Atwood Frederick M. clothier, Clark nw. cor. Madison, h. 3713 Lake av.

Chicago Tribune, December 22, 1875

THE TOLEDO.
Grand Reopening on Thursday, Dec. 23, 1875, in its Spacious and Magnificent Hall, 135, 137, 139, and 141 East Madison-st. Grand Select Instrumental Concerts given by the world-renowned

European Ladies Orchestra Combination.
This Famous Troupe have achieved the greatest success in all the principal cities of Europe, England, and America. The press and people have awarded them the highest praise, and unanimously declared them unequalled by any similar combination in the world. It is their first appearance before the Chicago public. The Concerts commence Every Evening at 8 o’clock, and Sunday Afternoon at 3 p.m. Also on Exhibition the Toledo Organ, the Largest Musical Construction in the World. Admission 15 cts.

R. KALTENBACH & BRO., Proprietors.

Inter Ocean, June 12, 1886

A SIGNAL-CROWNED LANDMARK.
Chicago’s New and Convenient Weather Indicator and Elegant Emporium.
A new improvement of such interest aa that which has transformed the northwest corner of Madison and Clark streets into an attraction which catches the eye of every passer-by along this busiest cross-road of retail Chicago, demands more than a passing mention. Indeed, it is cot exaggeration to say that the improvement takes rank immediately with the principal land marks of the city, and to Mr. T. M. Atwood, the “C.O.D.” clothier, is due conspicuous public recognition. Under his personal supervision and that of his skilled architect, two buildings have been welded into one hereafter to be known as the “C O. D. building”—and now the novel signal service flags, five stories op at the corner of Clark and Madison streets, wave over the lofty, bright-hued walls of an immense establishment that is rightly termed “Atwood’s Mammoth Clothing Emporium.” The great store stretches away—not to speak of the Clark street extension and grand entrance, for fully six numbers on Madison street—Nos. 129, 131, 133, 135. 137 and 139 inclusive. The very handsome exterior, enriched with its artistic signs in cardinal, gold, and ebony, and emblazoned with beautiful stained glass, serves effectually to draw attention, and on nearer approach the magnet of attraction is transferred just within the plate-glass. Unquestionably the facility of those show windows for displaying goods and awakening admiration is not rivaled in Chicago. The long-drawn, uninterrupted succession of plate-glass windows is backed by massive French plate mirrors, of which there are not less than one hundred and sixty feet, an exhibit probably not paralleled this aide of Paris. In the store formally occupied there was aa external obscurity that was by no means warranted by the inside facilities, but now all obscurity that is banished and there is a happy correspondence between the promise and the performance. The beautiful sunny exterior, with its unique display, leads you to an interior equally replete with what is best and latest in the dress of the male population, at the minimum cost for reliable goods, and all presided over by the most polite and accommodating of salesmen. The formal opening a week ago last Saturday was deservedly a great success, fully 1O,0OO people visiting the emporium, and the sales were highly satisfactory. The very best grades of manufactures are carried. Thus the firm have the exclusive representation of the celebrated New York goods of Rogers, Peet & Co., recognized as the leading manufacturers of clothing in the United States. Also Mr. Atwood intends to add a hat department to his business. The season was so far advanced when the new store was occupied that it was not desirable to put them in before the fall. Furthermore, another year be expects to incorporate aa extensive shoe department Hence the store is called with proprietary the “Outfitting Emporium.” Next year a still further enlargement will be made, as a space to the rear, 80×100 feet, including Tom Foley’s billiard hall, will be annexed. In fact a steady advance all along the line has been the characteristic feature of Mr. Atwood’s course since he succeeded A.J. Nutting about three years ago. An exhibition of this progressive spirit, and one that will no doubt become more and more popular aa its advantages are enjoyed, is seen in F. M. Atwood’s weather signals, already referred to as displayed aloft at the corner of the two great thoroughfares on which his store stands, and visible for many blocks along each. The information there heralded is furnished by the United States Signal Service Department, and the weather is predicted for twenty-four hours, from 8 o’clock each morning. The signals at any one time consist of two flags, and they read from the top down, that is, the higher flag is the prophecy of first fulfillment, and then the lower’s turn comes. Six flags in all comprise the colors of Old Probs, and the following key to their meaning should be cut out and pasted in the hat for convenient reference:

Inter Ocean, May 26, 1886

The C. O. D. Block, at 2 N, Clark street, four stories high and with a depth of 80 feet. Replaced by the Atwood Building in 1895.

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