Athenæum Building — chicagology

Athenæum Building
Life Span: 1872-1929
Location: Van Buren near Wabash
Architect: TBD

At 18 -26 Van Buren Street, is the home of one of the noblest of Chicago’s semi-public institutions. Here classes in almost all schools of knowledge are maintained, where the adult student may repair the neglect of earlier years. Nor are athletic exercises despised.

The Athenæum had its quarters in 1874 where the Peacock Cafe now is, on Madison Street near Clark, and for many years later was on Dearborn Street near Randolph. Its main apostle was O. C. Gibbs, and Ferdinand W. Peck has been one of its steadfast friends. Here a young man or woman may study foreign languages, elocution, history, or science. He may in some sense enter good society, and here he will form life-long acquaintances.

The building is 125 feet wide, 120 feet deep, and 7’0 feet high, with 7 stories and basement. There are 2 passenger elevators. The walls are of brick and cut-stone. Erected in 1872, at a cost of $107,000; remodeled in 1891, at a cost of $200,000.

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