Pacific Block

Pacific Block,
Life Span: 1873-1903
Location: Southeast corner of Clark and Van Buren streets
Architect: TBD

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1887
Pacific Block.—281-289 Clark.

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Chicago Tribune, December 19, 1875

TROUBLE OVER THE PACIFIC BLOCK.
A lengthy bill was filed yesterday by Bezaleel W. Phillips and Jacob Weil against James E. Tyler, H. M. Shepherd, M. W. Fuller, M. B. Clancy, and the unknown holders of certain notes made by complainants, in which they give an account of a real estate speculation m which they were interested, and its unfortunate termination. It appears from the allegatioos of the bill that in June, 1872, Phillips and Well leased from Mark B. Claney for a term of ninety-nine years, Lots 1 and 64 in Block 123 of the School-Section Addition, the annual rental being $8,000. Soon after the making of the lease .James E. Tyler bought a one-third interest in the lease and it was then agreed that complainants’ were to contribute $20,000, and Tyler $25,000 toward building on the land, each person to have a one-third interest in the ownership of the lease and building and in the profits to be derived from it. A building was thereupon erected on the land, being on the southeast corner of Van Buren and Clark streets, costing $90,000, and called the Pacific Block.

In March 1873, the complainants,Tyler one William Moseback,—procured a loan of $35,000, giving as security thirty-five notes for a $1,000, each with interest at 10 per cent, and maturing in five years, and also a trust-deed on the Pactio Block and some other property.

In October, 1873, an arrangement was made whereby Tyler agreed to purchase the complainants’ interest in the Pacific Block, paying therefor in land, and agreeing to have certain specified property released from the lien of the trust-deed, other property for the land of Phillips and Weil, and was to give a bond of indemnity to them for the faithful performance of his promise. He was also to assume the mortgage and about $7,500 taxes and back rent.

The complainants now allege that Tyler has not kept his agreement at all, and that, on account of the non-payment of the interest on the trust-deed, the Trustee, Shepherd, advertised to sell the leasehold, interest, and building yesterday morning at the north door of the Court-House. The complainants therefore asked in their bill to have that sale enjoined, and that an accounting might be had of the amounts due Shepherd and Clancy; also that Tyler may be prevented from collecting the rents of the block, and that a proper person may be appointed to take charge of the block, collect rents, and pay taxes until the present suit is decided. The motion was heard before Judge Williams, and an injunction granted as asked, and Adolph Helb appointed Receiver under a bond for $5,000.

Chicago Tribune, February 3, 1883

“IS YOUR SOUL SAVED?”
This was the inecription which greeted the committee as they entered the largest cheap lodging-nouse in the city. It is situated on the top floor of the Pacific Block, corner of Clark and Van Buren streets. In the four apartments here conducted by Landlord Morrison over 200 men can be nightly disposed of on a sliding scale of charges beginning with 10 cents and running up to 25. The 10-cent sections include two rooms, filled with cots. Entering the first the visitors contemplate the line:

“For the wages of sin is death.”

“George Ciark sends applicants here,” explains Mr. Morrison. He runs the Pacific Garden Mission, you know, and ne never yet turned away a man or woman who applied for assistance. Thomas Needham, the evangelist, also sends lodgers here.”

In the apartment alluded to were sixty-six beds. Granting that each bed was occupied the sleepers would have 300 cubic feet of breathing space.

“Where will you spend eternity?”

The room which contains this query is thirty by fifty-four feet and holds eighty beds. The apartments in the Pacific Block are overcrowded, but it is fair to say that Mr. Morrison conducts the only decent 10-cent lodging-house which the committee visited.

On the floor below the visitors found the Italians packed unhealthily close. The rooms are small and dark, and nearly all contain a family. On two floors in this block there are twenty-four families, not counting the Italians, who herd in a dozen rooms. Counting Italians, members of families, and the lodgers, it is safe to conclude that the roof of the Pacific Block shelters as many people nightly as do the Grand Pacific Hotel and Palmer House combined. The block is 100×100. The basement is occupied by Italians, who manufacture cheap plaster casts.

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