J. P. Atwater
Life Span: 1876-Present
Location: 149 and 151 Wabash avenue, Wabash, Between Monroe and Madison Streets, 28 S Wabash (today)
Architect: J. M Van Osdel
Chicago Tribune, May 2, 1875
A sale on Wabash avenue, just south of St. Mary’s Block, at the corner of Madison street, confirms the depreciation of property on that avenue, which has been shown as far south as Eldridge court, in the sales since the fire of last July, Haskell & Barker merchants of the this city, have bought 80 feet there for $64,000. Before the fire of 1871, $1,500 a foot was paid in the immediate vicinity. This was the rate paid by J V. Farwell for land for his store between Madison and Washington streets.
Chicago Tribune, June 6, 1875
MESSRS, WHEELOCK & THOMAS,
architects, 79 Dearborn street, have in process of erection, in accordance with deigns and plans made by them, the following buildings: For Messrs. Haskell & Barker, two handsome stores on Wabash avenue, 80 feet north of the Clifton House, 80×155 four stories and basement. Elaborate stone fronts, first-class buildings, and designed tor the wholesale trade. They will cost from $65,000 to $70,000.
Chicago Tribune, December 21, 1879
The buildings Nos. 145 and 147 Wabash avenue, to Joseph Pratt & Co., to be used for the wholesale boot and shoe business, at a rental of $5,000.
Inter Ocean, January 28, 1894
WABASH AVENUE.
A. G. Spalding & Brothers Lease a Bailding for a New Store.
Van Vlissingen & Ismond have leased the five-story and basement building, Nos. 149 and 151 Wabash avenue, to A. G. Spalding & Brothers, the well-known firm of sporting goods manufacturers. The property is on the west side of Wabash avenue, between Madison and Monroe streets, and is 40 feet front by 165 feet in depth. The firm will occupy the entire building, which will be thoroughly remodeled and arranged for their store and manufactory. The lease is made for a term of ten years.and the aggregate rental is $165,000. For thirteen years the firm of Spalding & Brothers has occupied its present building, at No. 108 Madison street, but it has entirely outgrown its limited quarters and seeking for a larger building in the business center of the city decided upon Wabash avenue, believing that the natural trend of active business is in that direction. Spalding & Bros. will occupy the building on May 1.
Spalding Advertisement
April 12 1894
Spalding Store, about 1905
A. G. Spalding & Co. (Spalding Hall)
149-151 Wabash Ave.
Chicago Tribune, July 18, 1927
CARSON, PIRIE, SCOTT COMPANYS MEN’S STORE OPENS TODAY
The new 16 story business building erected on the northwest corner of Monroe street and Wabash avenue, on the site of the old Windsor-Clifton hotel, is completed, and the first three floors are occupied by Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. for a men’s store, opening this morning. The entire building will
be occupied by the firm shortly.
The “men’s building” unfolds another chapter in the history of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., who started in business in a small general store at Amboy, Ill., in 1854. The concern moved to Chicago, at 20 Lake street, in 1864, and later was established at Randolph street and Wabash avenue in 1869, at Madison and Peoria streets in 1871, at State and Washington in 1890 and in 1904 acquired the Schlessinger and Mayer store building at State and Madison streets.
The company now controls the entire block bounded by Madison, Monroe and State streets and Wabash avenue, excepting the northeast corner properties. In 1925 its wholesale house acquired the John V. Farwell & Co. business and now occupies a square block bounded by Monroe, Adams and Market streets and the river.
Greeley Carlson Atlas of Chicago
1891
Ross & Brown Real Estate Map of Chicago
1928
Commission on Chicago Landmarks in April 1989 Recommended to the City Council on April 2, 1990
Directly south of the Haskell and Barker Building, which was erected in 1877 for John P. Atwater. an out-of-town investor.
For many years, the building housedA. G. Spalding & Bros., a sporting goods company founded by baseball Hall-of-Famer Albert Spalding, a former player, manager, and owner of the Chicago White Stockings, which later became known as the Cubs . (For a time, during the store’s occupancy. a distinctive facade of the Atwater Building).
The design of the Atwater Building is representative of many commercial buildings of the period. It is five bays wide, with a central three-bay section flanked by single window bays. Stylistically, the building combines Victorian Gothic elements (e.g., its arched pediment and the mix of brick and stone materials) with Italiante-style detailing (e.g., round-arched windows and ornamental capitals and keystones). Built relatively late in the post-Fire era, the Atwater Building was one of the last commercial blocks to employ this type of Victorian eclecticism.
The building’s decorative masonry pediment was removed sometime after 1905. The storefront has also been remodeled, and the building has been painted gray, which obscures the original contrast between the buff-colored sandstone inscription name, “J. P. Atwater,” which was located below the cornice line, was removed in early 1996. Otherwise, the building remains intact.
Chicago Tribune, November 14, 1996
Boathouse, 3 Loop buildings become landmarks
The Chicago City Council approved landmark status Wednesday for the boathouse in Humboldt Park and three century-old office buildings in the Loop.
The Loop structures, the Haskell-Barker-Atwater buildings at 18, 22 and 28 S. Wabash Ave., provide a snapshot of what the Loop looked like before skyscrapers began dotting the city in the 1890s.
The boathouse at 1301 N. Humboldt Drive is considered one of the best examples of the Prairie School of architecture.
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