The Inter-Ocean Building I
Life Span: 1872-1874
Location: Wabash avenue, between Harrison and Congress streets
Architect: TBD
Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1874-75
Inter Ocean Bldg.—Wabash ave. bet. Congress and Van Buren sts.
Lakeside Monthly, October, 1872
The Inter-Oceanic Building, the property of Hon. J. Y. Scammon, occupies 105 feet on Wabash avenue, between Harrison and Congress streets. It is five stories high, and contains a central building and two wings. The rear portion of the north wing is to contain, in the basement, the large eight-cylinder press which Messrs. Hoe & Co. are constructing for the Inter-Ocean newspaper. The building is built of Milwaukee brick, with white trimmings for the doors and windows, and presents a very imposing appearance on this wide and beautiful avenue.
Story of Chicago Regan Printing House, 1912
On March 25, 1872, there was issued from the corner of Wabash avenue and Congress street, now occupied by the Auditorium, a newspaper which up to that time never had a counterpart as far its name is concerned, it being christened Inter Ocean, the departure itself attracting unusual attention. This undertaking was sponsored by Jonathan Young Scammon, a man of varied purposes, much energy and extensive resources; among other things he owned a bank. The latter auxiliary is recognized as a convenient attachment to a newspaper venture, whether big or little.
Excerpted from Chicago Tribune, July 15, 1874
The Inter-Ocean Building
About half-past 8, the Inter-Ocean Building, on the northeast corner of Wabash avenue and Congress street, caught, but burned very slowly, and it was an hour before the roof fell in. The firemen evidently made a desperate effort to stay the firs here, where the high rows of buildings begin, but the wind was blowing a gal. northeasterly, and as the fire was running in that direction, they were compelled to throw the Hater against the wind, and it was the fate of many of the buildings to the north of it on the same side of the street. At 9 o’clock the question was whether the fire woud cross Congress street on Wabash avenue.
The Inter Ocean has been located in the following buildings:
1872-3—Wabash avenue, between Harrison and Congress streets
From 1873 to May 1, 1880, the Inter Ocean was published at 119 Lake street. The establishment was then moved to more commodious and convenient quarters, in the new Inter Ocean building, 85 Madison street, and, May 1, 1890, to the still larger Inter Ocean building at the corner of Madison and Dearborn streets. In May, 1891,
1873-1889—117 and 119 Lake Street (119 to 123 Lake – 1880
1890 to 1900—85 West Madison
1900-1912—57 W. Monroe
