Search Results for: tribune tower

Illinois Women’s Athletic Club (Lewis Towers)

Illinois Women’s Athletic Club, Lewis Towers
Life Span: 1926-Present
Location: Pearson and Rush Streets
Architect: Schmidt, Garden & Martin

Chicago Tribune, March 31, 1921

Announcement for the future construction of a new building.

Chicago Tribune, June 11, 1922

The new home of the Illinois Women’s Athletic club at Tower court and Pearson and Rush streets, designed by Architects Schmidt, Garden & Martin in the Italian renaissance, will be of rough faced brick trimmed with Indiana limestone. It will cost approximately $1,250,000. The same materials will be used on all four exterior walls. The attractive office building of Architects Parkins, Fellows & Hamilton, architectural pioneers in the north side district, is seen on the left of the new clubhouse, to the south.

Chicago Tribune, February 28, 1923

poster
Plans for fifteen story clubhouse, to be erected in Tower court, were outlined at a banquet of the Illinois Women’s Athletic club held last night in the Gold room of the Congress hotel. More than 150 prominent society professional and business women who are members of this unique club attended the affair.

At the speaker’s table, at which were the officers of the club a miniature of the proposed clubhouse, made of sugar and paste, was the center piece. The miniature was made and copied from the original design of the clubhouse by Joseph Weisskopf, pastry chef of the Congress hotel.

poster

Chicago Tribune, June 6, 1926

The Daily Herald, October 19, 1926

poster
No greater illustration of the demand for and popularity of high class clubs in Chicago and surrounding towns could be given than the opening week, commencing October 20, in Chicago of the building of the Illinois Women’s Athletic club, located at Tower Court and E. Pierson street, facing toward Michigan Boulevard.

The building occupies a location eminent in the history of Chicago, the water tower standing directly in front of the club, and the neighborhood being one which was the center of the North side wealth and society in the earlier days of our city, the district has changed within a few years from a dreary series of rows of old residences, once in their social prime, but later devoted to boarding house and rooming purposes to one of the fastest developing and most attractive of the new business district north of the Chicago river; the Drake Hotel, America Fore, Pierson Hotel, Chicago Tribune, Wrigley, Allerton Hotel, and other large and fine buildings are within easy walking distance. The property which was bought by the founder members of the club less than ten years ago for under a hundred thousand dollars, has risen in value to nearly one million dollars, which the added value of the new building, brings the value of the club property close to $2,500,000.00 at a conservative estimate.

The organization of the Illinois Women’s Athletic club has been carried on from the first by women; many women active in social, political business and commercial life of our city and surrounding territory have been active in the work of building up the club. Mrs. Wm. Severin of Rogers Park was the originator of the idea of a cooperative women’s athletic club, to own its own building in Chicago. Memberships which sold in the early days of the club for three hundred dollars are now rated as worth $2,500.00 and selling at that price; while memberships of the class selling for from fifty to a hundred dollars in the beginning are now bringing a price well into the hundreds, owing ti real estate value increase and conservative management.

The lower floors of the building are being rapidly rented out for commercial purposes, and shops and offices are located higher up, while the club quarters occupy the highest portion of the building. Complete athletic equipment of the finest type is provided, including excellency, gymnasium and large swimming tank. Lobbies, parlors, large and small assembly and committee rooms, business offices also living quarters provided for resident members at a reasonable cost are all delightfully and luxuriously furnished.

The opening week offers a series of banquets and receptions some for members only and others for members and friends, closing with a large banquet and meeting on Tuesday evening Oct. 26, for all active workers in the organization officers of the club an invite guests prominent in city, state and national affairs.

poster

Chicago Tribune, April 18, 1926

Illinois Women’s Athletic Club

The Woman Athlete, 1927

The Herculean courage shown by the women pioneers in this movement who conceived the idea, moulded the plan and put into execution the building of a beautiful 17-story clubhouse merits comments. A few years ago it would have been impossible for women to raise the money necessary for such a huge project. In making their dream a reality, these leaders have shown such a dynamic force that it is certain they will never suffer for their community to stand still.

Chicago Tribune, July 28, 1946

By Ruth Logan
With Sept. 30 set as a tentative opening date for the fall semester, Loyola university is speeding reconversion of the first nine floors of Tower Court building, 820 N. Michigan av., which will house downtown divisions and most of the offices of the university.

Turned back to civilian use by the navy June 30, the building had been bought for $500,000 by Frank J. Lewis, manufacturer, and presented to Loyola and the Illinois Club for Catholic Women. The latter group will occupy the upper eight floors of the 17 story building.

Will Leave Franklin St.
With its space of 110,484 square feet converted into some 40 classrooms, three libraries, several laboratories, chapel, and administrative offices, the university expects to accommodate its enrollment increase of 40 per cent over the pre-war figure. All departments will be moved from the present downtown school at 28 N. Franklin st. to the new building. Fall enrollment on the Lake Shore and downtown campuses is expected to be more than 7,000.

Major task facing Malcolm J. Boyle Construction company, contractor, is remodeling cafeterias, dormitory rooms, and classrooms used by the navy for its midshipmen’s school into college classrooms and laboratories. It was also used as the navy’s shore patrol headquarters for this area with a complement said to be 2,000 men. The job also includes removing of bars from windows of the third floor brig, where the commerce library will be set up.
poster
Among divisions quartered in the new building, to be called Lewis tower, will be the law school which will open with the fall term after a two year war time lapse. Dean John C. Fitzgerald, who is beginning his 18th year with Loyola, will head a faculty including five full time and four part time instructors. Class rooms and library will be on the ninth floor.

President on 7th Floor.
Tentative plans indicate offices of the dean, assistant dean, bursar, registrar, and the university college and school of social work will be on the fifth floor. Office of the Very Rev. James T. Hussey, S. J., president, and a general library will be on the seventh floor.

On the eighth floor a chapel will overlook Michigan av. A child guidance clinic and psychology laboratory will be established on the same floor. The commerce school will be on the third floor, the graduate school on the fourth, and a biology laboratory and publicity offices on the sixth. Other offices will include those of alumni, veterans administrator, dean of men, dean of women, and student counselor. Classrooms will occupy most of remaining space.

The property was sold last December by Prudence Bonds corporation, New York, which purchased it in 1943. Erected in 1927 by the Illinois Women’s Athletic Club at a cost of 3 million dollars, the building later was the home of the Illinois Club for Catholic Women for several years.

Chicago Tribune, January 29, 1948

Montgomery Ward Tower Building—Phase II

< --Previous Up Next–>

Montgomery Ward

Montgomery Ward Tower Building—Phase II
Life Span: 1887/1899-Present
Location: 6 N. Michigan Avenue (Tower)
Architect: Richard E. Schmidt (Tower)

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904

Ward Montgomery & Co.

Chicago Tribune, February 13, 1887

An Important Business Change.
The sale of a property on Michigan avenue for $235,000 to Montgomery Ward which in its details was incorrectly reported in the daily transfer list, is the prelude to an important business change. The building and land sold was that of the United States Storage Company at No. 111, about 125 feet north of Madison street, the grantors being George T. Smith, Elizabeth M. Gaylord, and Annie Cross. The structure is 91.6 feet front and 165.6 deep to a court. It is a very substantial brick building of six stories and basement. Montgomery Ward & Co. will move their dry-goods business from the quarters they now occupy on Wabash avenue, between Adams and Jackson, some time in August, possession of the Michigan avenue property to be given June 1. The new building is to be completely refitted for use as a dry-goods store. There are now two elevators in it, and two more will be constructed. Some partitions will have to be taken out. The purchase includes, besides the building and the ground occupied by it, five feet of the adjoining alley. This change in location, interesting in itself, from the fact that other dealers in dry goods are drifting southward, or to the wholesale quarter where Maeshall Field’s building is going up.

Chicago Tribune, April 3, 1898

MONTGOMERY WARD’S NEW BUILDING.
Lake Front Structure Planned to Cost $225,000.
The office and loft building manned for Montgomery Ward & Co., to be erected on the northwest corner of Michigan avenue and Madison street, is 85 feet in Michigan avenue by 163 feet having Madison street, and adjoins Ward & Co.’s present eight-story building The 37 feet having the Michigan avenue frontage is leased from St. Mary’s parish tor a long term of years. The inside 48 feet is owned by Montgomery Ward & Co. The building has been planned by Richard E. Schmidt.

The construction is to be extremely heavy so that any floor may be stored to the ceiling with the heaviest goods. The fireproofing will be as thorougn as the best materialana
quantity can make it. The upper stories will be furnished without using any wood whatever.

The two street elevations will be of a vitrifed brick, with richly modeled terra cotta in the principal parts; that is. the entrance, tower, and cornices. The main entrance on the corner is to receive particular attention. Around the outer columns and piers there will be sculptured groups portraying American industry, and life away from the cities, as depicted by trapper, hunter, fisherman. farmer, miner. etc. These groups are to be modeled by a well known sculptor. The interior of this entrance or vestibule will be finished in mosaic floors and celling.

The tower on the corner is to have an elevator running to the nineteenth floor level, 225 feet from the pavement. A flight of stairs from here extends to the lantern in the tower, where the eye will be 260 feet above the pavement. The lantern and finial above this will be 40 feet higher, or 300 feet in all.

The foundations will be piling and north line of columns will be supported on cantilever foundation girders, as there is an eIght-story party wall with wide spreading foundations on this line amply strong for eight stores, but not sufficient for twelve. The first floor will be raised about three feet above grade, which will allow a high and dry basement, lighted by Luxfer prism glass. The building is arranged for six freight elevators and three passenger elevators. All of the windows on the alley will have the latest metal frames and sash, glazed with wire glass, thus obviating all necessity of iron shutters

Progress Lighting the Way for Commerce

Chicago Tribune, December 3, 1899

Tenants in proximity to the new Montgomery Ward & Co. building, Madison street and Michigan avenue, say the new chimney that has just been erected on that building gives every indication of being as bas a smoker as was the old Montgomery Ward & Co. chimney on account of which Smoke Inspector Schubert brought several actions, resulting in the company being fined. At 2:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon smoke was pouring out of the new chimney in a black cloud, in evident violation of the ordinance. The chimney is still surrounded by scaffolding and the building is not yet complete. When A. Montgomery Ward’s attention was called to the chimney yesterday he said:

We are testing the new boilers this week, and it is impossible to keep the chimney from smoking. We have the best smoke consumer that can be bought. The actions against us on account of the old chimney were simply persecution. I understand we have appealed them.

Inter Ocean, May 19, 1901

In the summer of 1872 Mr. A. Montgomery Ward, President of the great Mail Order House of Montgomery Ward & Co., conceived the idea of selling goods direct to consumers at wholesale prices through the medium of catalogues. At the beginning, two men and a boy were sufficient to conduct the business. By dealing honestly with the people, giving them the best of value for their money, guaranteeing goods as represented or refunding the purchaser’s money, and by, in every way, putting themselves in the place of buyers instead of the seller, they have built up a business which is the wonder of the mercantile world. They now employ 2,000 clerks, who are constantly engaged in filling out-of-town orders, and transact business not only throughout the United States, but in every country. They occupy 25 acres of floor space to conduct their business and own and occupy the buildings shown on this page. Such a mammoth business could only be built up by treating people right, by giving them good goods and by refunding their money if not satisfied. Montgomery Ward & Co. guarantee satisfaction in all their sales, that is, if you should send them an order and upon receipt of the goods they were not what you expected or not what they represented them to be, or in. other words, if you were not entirely satisfied with them, you could return the goods at their expense and they would refund the transportation charges both ways and also return your money tp you.

The world-wide reputation of this great house is such that no one need hesitate to patronize them, because if one is not satisfied then he gets his money back as soon as it is asked for.

Montgomery Ward & Co. have no branch houses, no traveling men, and no agents in any territory. They sell goods direct to the consumer or user through the medium of catalogues, principally their General Catalogue or Buyer’s Guide, which is a book weighing four pounds, has nearly 1,200 pages, over 17,000 pictures of goods they sell, and quotes prices on over 70,000 different things that you eat and use and wear. The cost of publishing this book is enormous, but it has been the custom of the house for years to send it to any one who sends 15 cents to partially prepay postage, although the postage is now 32 cents on each copy. We suggest to you that if you wish one of these mammoth catalogues you send 15 cents in stamps and the catalogue will be shipped you promptly with all charges prepaid.

Montgomery Ward & Co. have two million customers, the largest number of any concern in the world. These customers can be traced from father to son, and to the grandfather, in many instances, as the house has been in business for nearly thirty years.

Many people who will visit the Pan-American Exposition are customers of this great house, and many of course are not, but we suggest to those who have never dealt with them that they give Montgomery Ward & Co. a trial order, for they are bound to be satisfied with what they get.

Another thing, the house guarantees safe delivery; that is, if you buy goods from them and they do not reach your station in proper condition, it is not necessary for you to keep them; you can notify the agent and he will return tham at the house’s expense.

In a little book recently published by Montgomery Ward & Co. which has a very wide circulation, they state among other things:

We say as we do and we do as we say. We will refund your money if you are not satisfied. $4.00 sent to us will bring better results than $5.00 spent at home. We handle no second-hand, fire-sale or shoddy goods. We guarantee all goods to reach you in perfect condition; if they do not, you can return at our expense. We give you wholesale prices, or the same prices your local dealer pays for the same class of goods.

The buildings occupied by Montgomery Ward & Co. which are considered among the finest for mercantile purposes in the world. From the ground to the height of the tower of their new building is 394 feet; an observatory point has been provided near the top of the tower and from it the visitor gets a magnificent view of Chicago, the suburban towns, and Lake Michigan. Out-of-town people are invited to call at the building and inspect it. to go to the height of the tower and see the magnificent view afforded. They are never asked to buy, as it is a rule of the house that visitors are to be treated entirely as guests; if they wish to buy they may do so, but under no circumstances are they asked to. We suggest to every one who reads this that if they go to Chicago at any time they be sure to visit this great house and see its thousands of employes actively engaged in filling out-of-town orders; but as there are are many who will perhaps and have an opportunity of visiting Chicago for a long time, we suggest that they send and get a copy of their General Catalogue and Buyer’s Guide, which they can get as stated by a remittance of 15 cents in postage stamps.

Chicago Tribune, October 10, 1902.

Montgomery Ward won his long fight for the preservation of the entire lake front for park purposes when the Supreme court of Illinois denied a rehearing in the case. The whole tract from Randolph street to Park row and from Michigan avenue to the harbor line, or breakwater, is thus secured permanently for a park, and the erection of any building in the area is prohibited.

Chicago Tribune, April 6, 1984

By Paul Gapp, Architecture critic

A quiet renaissance going on along Michigan Avenue south of Randolph Street has most of the virtues that architectural preservationists are forever encouraging. With rather consistent sensitivity, the mix of ordinary and distinguished buildings facing Grant Park are being renovated instead of torn down in the false name of progress.

As the work continues, one of the most interestingly redone structures has turned out to be the 20 N. Michigan Ave. building, formerly the John M. Smyth Co. furniture store. It is a splendid example of intuitive architecture –the kind of design and decision-making that cannot be taught by professors or copied from the work of others.

Nagle, Hartray & Associates Ltd. is the Chicago architecture firm that accomplished this transformation. They took a peculiar building that had practically no esthetic merit and turned it into a handsome structure that can hold its own against the classiest architecture on the street.

Beers, Clay & Dutton designed the original eight-story building in 1885 for Montgomery Ward and Co., which used it as a warehouse. It was constructed in stages, which must account in part for its eccentric proportions.

Each floor was of a different height, horizontal spacings were not uniform, windows were of varied sizes and rows of columns were out of alignment. To put it crudely, it was (and to a degree still is) one of the most geometrically cockeyed buildings on Michigan Avenue.

When John M. Smyth took it over in the 1950s, the brick-faced building was given an imitation granite facade on the bottom two stories, a large rooftop sign and such uninspired cosmetic touches as an exterior coat of gray paint. After Smyth moved out in 1982, the U.S. Equities Group bought the building and decided to turn it into a first rate office mid-rise with retail space on the ground floor.

Architect James L. Nagle, partner John F. Hartray, Jr. and colleague Howard Kagan remedied the building`s asymmetrical strangeness by changing certain externally visible proportions under a formula first roughed out by “eyeballing” (Nagle`s word) and later refined with mathematical precision.

If you stand across the street today and look very closely, you can see that 20 N. Michigan Ave. is still not totally symmetrical. Yet no one but an architect or a builder would ever notice, anyway, and the simple elegance of the structure is what really arrests the eye.

The gray paint was removed and upper surfaces taken back to their red color (in several shades, actually). Replacing the phony granite around the base is a limestone skin with deeply set back joints that give the surface a rusticated look consistent with neighboring buildings.

At street level, the window wall facing Michigan Avenue is stepped back to increase retail exposure and form an inviting entryway. The historic

“Chicago window” form (a large section of glass flanked by two smaller ones) adds character to the composition.

At the rooftop summit, shell-like ornaments top each of five piers rising up the side of the building. The shells may remind some people of Botticelli, or what have you, yet they are used unselfconsciously. Illuminated at night, they enhance the view of the skyline from Lake Shore Drive.

The inside of 20 N. Michigan Ave. comes as a pleasant surprise if you remember it from the prosaic furniture store days. Nagle and Hartray carved a skylight-topped atrium up the center–a common device among rehabbers these days, but no less effective for that.

Because the building is framed and floored with wood, tough fire safety requirements had to be met under the city building code. The atrium`s sides are thus enclosed with wire-strengthened glass, and the whole place is chockablock with sprinkler heads. Structural engineer Robert Beer solved some of the most tedious problems.

That leaves the lobby, which is no small success. The rough terrazzo that paves the outdoor entryway becomes smooth as it flows indoors in the same pattern. In the atrium section of the lobby space is a marble and granite sculpture-fountain by Carolann Haggard. Flanking the piece are a pair of trees whose trunks rise from old-fashioned patterned iron grates set flush with the floor.

Angling off from the atrium is a broad passage leading to the elevators. Above each of the elevator doors are miniature versions of the rooftop shells, here used as floor level indicators. Again, the shells simply look right, not cute. The shape of the wood paneling in the elevator cabs thoughtfully echoes the rustication of the building`s exterior limestone skirt.

Nagle and Hartray`s firm grasp of detailing and respect for subtlety never waver in this building. What used to be a bland, characterless structure now has a personality. One may be hard-pressed to hang a stylistic label on it, except to say that it has the strength and clarity long associated with the best design in Chicago.

At the time of its completion, this was the tallest building in Chicago. Originally at 394 feet high, the Montgomery Ward Building is currently 282 feet (86 m) tall, following the removal of a pyramid top and sculpture.

Chicago Tribune

Newspapers

History of the Chicago Tribune

History of the Chicago Tribune

The Tribune Buildings
Tribune Building I
Tribune Building II
Tribune Building III
Tribune Building IV (Tribune Tower)
Chicago Tribune Tower Competition
Freedom of the Press Mural
WGN Studio
From Trees to Tribune
Tribune Tour No. 1—Seeing the News Room
Tribune Tour No. 2—Printing the Chicago Tribune
Tribune Tour No. 3—The Sunday Tribune

WGN
WGN Transmitter
WGN FM
WGN Firsts

Tribune Exclusives
Chicago to Berlin on the Untin Bowler
Injun Summer
The Goodfellows’ Movement
First Color News Spot Picture
Newsboys’ Dinner

Tribune Comics
Chicago Tribune Syndicate
Sidney Smith—From Goats to Gumps
Sidney Smith—Seligettes—Old Doc Yak
Dick Tracy
Gasoline Alley
Harold Teen
Little Orphan Annie
Moon Mullins
1917 Newspaper Artists Baseball Game

Tribune Anniversaries
Tribune’s 50th Anniversary
Tribune’s 100th Anniversary

poster

Water Tower II

< --Previous Up Next–>

Water Tower II
Life Span: 1866-Present
Location: Pine and Chicago Streets
Architect: William W. Boyington

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1866

Chicago Water Works

Chicago Water Works Reservoir

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1880
Chicago Water Works, Chicago av. ne. cor. Pine and S. Ashland av. near W. 22d

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1885
Chicago Waterworks, Chicago av. ne. cor. Pine and S. Ashland av. near W. 22d

Chicago Illustrated, January 1866

CHICAGO WATER WORKS.—This view of the new Water Works of Chicago is taken from the West. In a former number we gave a view of the crib, or the lake end of the tunnel through which the city obtains the water from the lake. The building to the right is of white stone, and includes boiler rooms, engine rooms, and all the necessary apartments and offices for the persons employed in the establishment. Within the area covered by this building are three wells, one square well thirty by fifteen feet, and twenty feet deep; one circular well thirty-one feet in diameter and twenty-one feet deep; and one thirty-eight feet in diameter and thirty feet deep. This last well is not used, but kept in reserve for the future need of the city. Two new engines of nine hundred horse-power stand over the other circular well, resting on foundations of masonry. A drift or horizontal shaft one hundred and fifty-four feet long and four feet in diameter has been laid from main shaft, or shore end of the tunnel, to the gate chamber. From this chamber a passage one hundred and nine feet long extends to several wells. These are forty feet below the surface. The gate chamber has a depth of forty-five feet, and a diameter of eighteen feet. Within are five partition walls of masonry, with an equal number of gates to regulate the flow of the water. The two new engines are estimated to have the power of forcing eighteen million gallons of water a day. The cylinders are each forty-five inches in diameter, with eight-foot stroke. The pumps which are placed in the wells below the cylinders are double-acting, and twenty-six feet in diameter, with eight feet stroke. The boiler is twenty feet long, and eleven feet six inches in diameter. The white stone stack or chimney is one hundred feet high. The engine rooms measure one hundred and eighty-six by sixty feet.

In the front of the picture is the Water Tower. It is of white stone, and measures one hundred and thirty feet high. The base is twenty-four feet square, within which a spiral stair-case heads to an observatory overlooking the city, and affording a view of the water column in the center. The column within the tower will be three feet in diameter, and is made of wrought iron. The base has six nozzles, three of which receive the water from the pumps, and the others distribute it through the mains which supply the city.

The successful completion of the tunnel was followed by the construction of these new buildings, and on 25th of March, 1867, the corner stone of the building was laid with imposing ceremonies by the Masonic fraternity, the Most Worshipful Grand Master Jerome R. Gorin officiating. A grand military, civic and Masonic procession took place, and thousands of people were present on the occasion. The oration was delivered by the Hon. John B. Rice, Mayor of Chicago. Addresses were also made by Ex-Mayor F. C. Sherman and others. Both gentlemen paid deserved compliments to the scientific skill of E. S. Chesbrough, Esq., the engineer who superintended the whole work.

The entire cost of the Chicago Works, including tunnel, buildings, machinery, and all the requisites, was two millions five hundred thousand dollars. W. W. Boyington, Esq., was the architect of the buildings.

James W. Sheahan, Esq.,
January, 1867

Chicago Daily Tribune, January 14, 1867

THE NEW WATER WORKS
Before the crib was sunk in the lake, before even the first spade full of earth thrown up from the western end of the proposed tunnel, it was a foregone conclusion that the old Water Works would, in due time, be thrown aside for the new; and when the completion of the tunnel was announced, a few weeks ago, some of our residents flattered themselves with the idea that nothing more remained to be accomplished; that water and little fishes would stop running through the old works; and that, possibly, pipes full of pure water would immediately make their appearance in every kitchen and bed room in the city. These ideas, in the main, will be realized in a few months, and probably after August next, those who have had small fish brought to their houses several times a day, gratis, will be obliged to patronize fish markets, and pay for all the fish they carry away – just as people who have not patronized the old works a couple of years have been in the habit of doing.

The old pumping house will be torn away during the coming summer, and a larger building erected on the site, directly opposite the new tower, which will be 150 feet high. The water pumped up in the old house, comes from two small wells, and flows into them from the lake. Under the old engines is a large well, 25 feet in diameter, 20 feet from each of the small wells – the tree being directly on a line. The large well is dug; but can be connected with the smaller ones with very little trouble. A temporary connection is being made from the old suction pipe to the tunnel, and the work is expected to be completed in a few days, more or less. Work on the new tower has been temporarily suspended, but will be resumed in time for the completion of the tower at the specified date. Surrounding the tower will be a handsome park, bounded by Chicago avenue, Pearson, the lake, and Rush streets. Handsome trees and fountains will be planted and located in this park, which, it is earnestly to be hoped, will be a “thing of beauty” and “a joy forever.”

Chicago Daily Tribune, March 25, 1867

1869 Annual Report of Chicago’s Board of Public Works.

THE WATER TOWER
Is the most imposing feature among the whole mass of buildings comprising the works, and is without doubt the most substantial and elaborate structure of the kind on this continent. Its center is 106 feet west of the main buildings, upon ground purchased for the purpose in 1865; 168 piles capped with 12 inch oak timbers, the spaces filled with concrete, constitute the foundation up to the surface of the water; from thence to a point 6 feet below grade, solid massive dimension stones, laid in cement, intervene. At this point the gate, pit and arched ways on each corner for mains are formed. The base of the tower is 22 feet square. The exterior of the shaft is octagonal, and rises 154 feet from the ground to the top of the stone work which terminates in a battlemented cornice. The whole is surmounted by an iron cupola, (not yet finished,) pierced with numerous windows, from whence maybe obtained a magnificent view of the lake, the city and surrounding country. The exterior of the tower is divided into five sections. The first section is 40 feet square, exclusive of battlements, turrets, &c., and surrounds the base of the shaft, forming a continuous vestibule 9 feet wide on the four sides, with a grand entrance on each side. The floor and roof of this portion is of massive stone. The roof forms a balcony. The walls are plastered and blocked off like those of the engine room. The ceiling is groined and corniced, and the sides are ornamented with tablet drinking fountains, &c. The other sections of the exterior recede from each other in graceful proportion, each having turreted cornice, battlements, &c.

The bottom of the interior is hexagonal; here the base piece of stand pipe (a casting, weighing 6 tons) is placed, having 6 openings supplied with 30 inch gates, to which the water mains are connected. From this base a 36 inch wrought iron stand pipe ascends to a height of 138 feet; around this pipe is an easy and substantial iron spiral stairway, leading to the cupola on the top, and lighted throughout with alternating windows.

The whole structure is thoroughly fire-proof , being constructed wholly of stone, brick and iron. This tower is illustrated on the opposite page.

THE GROUNDS
Are bounded by Chicago Avenue, Pine Street, Pearson Street and the Lake. They have a frontage on Pine Street of 218 feet, and extend from the lake west a distance of over 571 feet. These grounds are not yet fenced or laid out, but the illustration on the following page shows the proposed improvement, which is in keeping with the general character of the buildings, &c.

The foregoing gives but an imperfect idea of the vast amount of work which has been done upon these premises during the past four years. The perplexities, anxiety and risk arising during the prosecution of the work cannot well be conveyed in words, but as all that was proposed has been successfully accomplished, the spectator will observe wisdom, strength and beauty everywhere prominent in the designs and execution of the work, which is composed of almost imperishable material, and may last for ages and become a land-mark, visible to the mariner as he approaches the port of Chicago, as well as a prominent object for miles inland. The whole work cannot fail to reflect the highest credit equally upon the Board of Public Works, Messrs. Gindele, Letz and Rose, who adopted the plans and commenced the work; and upon the subsequent Board, Messrs. Burley, McArthur and Carter, who have carried them to completion. To the citizens of Chicago the water works of our city will stand as one of the enduring monuments which so fully characterize their energy, enterprise and liberality.

Much credit is also due to W. W. Boyington, Esq., the architect of the buildings, for the professional skill, taste and judgment displayed in the work entrusted to him. That the plans have been faithfully executed by the various contractors, is demonstrated by the character of the work. The following named gentlemen have been engaged upon the recent extension and improvements:

Chicago Tribune, May 19, 1869

The south wing of the main Water Works building is now fully completed. This wing was designed for the reception of another plumbing engine, which the increasing needs of the city would require. Its external appearance corresponds precisely with that if the northern wing, so that the proportions of the structure are rendered complete, and its symmetry preserved. Several weeks ago the Board of Public Works submitted to the Common Council the property of taking steps towards the purchase of another pumping engine similar to the new one now in operation at the Water Works.It was then shown that the average daily consumption of water was, during the winter months, eighteen millions would be consumed. The capacity of the new engine is eighteen million gallons, and that of the two smaller engines jointly about twenty-one millions, or nearly forty millions in all. At present the accidental breakage of the little engine would necessitate the running of the remaining one or two ones to their fullest capacity, but, within two or three years, when the consumption of water should be largely increased, the present pumping power would be entirely insufficient to properly provide for the safety and health of the city against all contingencies. The special committee of the Common Council, to whom the sthe subject was referred, has not yet reported upon the matter, nor upon the project extending the tunnel and the construction of additional water works on some point in the vicinity of Twenty-second street and the river. In case the latter project should be adopted, it is probable that the new engine, or, perhaps, two small engines, will be placed in the new works. The fact that the Water Works are now fully completed and ready for the reception of another engine, will doubtless have the effect of settling the question of additional water supply.

Water Tower After Fire

Lakeside Monthly, October, 1872

Had the roof of the engine-house of the Water-Works been fire-proof, many millions of property destroyed in the great conflagration would have been saved. When, therefore, we say that the damage to the Water-Works was only about $100,000, we refer simply to direct damages, or to what it has cost the city to foot its repair-bills. Even this estimate does not include the damage to the North and South Side reservoirs. The damage to them is set down at $20,000; the loss by the in jury of water-pipes, at $15,000; by fire hydrants, at $10,000; water metres, $6,000. An immense waste of water occurred through open service-pipes, adding $97,410 to the water expense of the city, from which no revenue was derived. Putting all these items to gether, we have the cost of restoring the Water-Works, $248,410. The new roof over the engines is iron; and the catastrophe of last fall can never recur. In connection with the Water-Works, it may be mentioned that a new lake tunnel, of much larger capacity than the old one, is now under contract, to be completed July 1, 1874. The cost cannot be given in advance of its completion, as it is to be paid for according to plans and specifications, or by the piece.

Chicago Eagle, February 10, 1906

The proposition to remove the North Side water tower is the idea of an idiotic iconoclast. The water tower is one of the few beautiful landmarks in Chicago. It is a monument to old Chicago, the Chicago “before the fire,” and is worthy and a grand one. Long may it stand just where it is.

Chicago Tribune, October 9, 1910

At least one John Smith was born in Chicago in 1832 and in 1842 his remembrance of boy life in his neighborhood, 500 feet north of the present Clark street bridge, was that he was a charter member of the Chicago Waterworks system, not incorporated.

John’s chief duty at that period, between 7 and 14 years old, was the bailing of water for domestic use in a big tin pail and carrying it up the uncertain and slippery north bank of the river to the family supply tank. But in that particular year of 1866 John took a mule team ride from the front of Chicago avenue through the new water tunnel, and a mile and a half out into the lake, where he saw Mayor J. B. Rice place the keystone in the arch of the bore and heard the mayor proclaim:

Now, gentlemen, in behalf of the City of Chicago, I place this last stone in this great tunnel—the wonder of America and of the civilized world!

In the building of this $465,000 tunnel, a water intake had been built of 675,000 feet of lumber, fastened together with 200 tons of bolts, iron bands, nails, and screws, and floated out and anchored a mile and a half as the water end of the tunnel approach. Ground had been broken for the tunnel March 17—otherwise known as St. Patrick’s day—and on July 4 (probably) of 1865 the intake was sunk in the lake. It was on Dec. 6, 1866 that our real hero, a real John Smith and former member of the platoon system of Chicago water working rode out behind the team of mules to see and hear what Mayor Rice was going to do and say about it. Not till 1869 were the building and tower and plumbing equipment of the Chicago avenue water plant in service as “The Chicago Waterworks,” the name emblazoned over the doorplate of the main entrance to the station.

Prize Engine in Service.
When the old Corliss engine, shown as a wonder at the Philadelphia centennial in 1876, had done with its exhibition stunt, it was purchased for the Chicago Water works station at Chicago avenue and up to five or six years ago it hadn’t missed a pumping stroke since the steam was turned into its cylinder. Bout two years ago, however, the city decided to put in a modern pumping equipment discovering that the floor uplift was insufficient. In all those years, under several kinds and brands of city administration, the flooring had to be jacked up. Then it was found that an office annex, built to the west of the main structure and of the same architecture, literally was so bolted and barred and cross-barred to the original building that it would loosen or rise with the force of the jack screw.

“Pull her down!” suggested the engineering bureau; “call up W. J. Jackson, Inc., and have the debris dumped and make a new building of her”—or words of that sinister intent.

But while they were wrecking the oldest of the city’s municipal buildings, Charles E. Carson, an architect, who admired a real bit of architecture, rode by the wrecking one fine morning and bumped into the thought of putting up the new building with the old stones. He consulted some friends and these, consulting some other friends who knew about the Chicago Historical society, put through the scheme of putting old stones into a new building, a process which now is going on rapidly.

Building Now Being Reassembled.
As each stone was removed intact, it was numbered and placed to one side. If the stone shattered, its remnants were preserved and a new stone shaped from the fragment pattern. In this way this best example of the unburned Chicago of 1871 is reassembling good as new. But there’s a problem confronting the builders. We have the habit in Chicago of putting marble tablets or bronzed plates into walls of public buildings, showing just who were the public officials having anything to do with the construction work of the municipal architecture. Several times in our history we’ve had to tell our country cousins that this and that chap, named on these scrolls, is staying at Joliet, but probably will be back in three or four years.

On a marble slab in the present tower of the old Chicago avenue plant they chiseled names this way. The tablet reads that the commissioners of the board of public works then superintending things were John G. Gindele, Frederick Letz, and Orrin J. Rose.A. W. Tinkham was the secretary; E. S. Chesbrough, city engineer; DeWitt C. Cregier, engineer in charge of pumping; William W. Boyington, architect; Dall & Gowab, tunnel builders, and Edward Wailbaum, contractors for the buildings.

It is only fair to say that so far as the writer knows, the only person named on this scroll who may have got into hot water was DeWitt C. Cregier, who afterward became mayor of Chicago. This is a mere generalization, too, based on the presumption that Chicago never has had a mayor who didn’t get into superheated aqua pura.

Hard Problem in Names.
As to that problem referred to, what names are to be inscribed in the new-old structure? Where does Architect Charles E. CArson, who suggested yje exact rebuilding, come in? How about Health Commissioner Evans, President McCormick of the sanitary district, and the manufacturers of “Bubbly Creek?”

If these must be named on any kind of slab, shall the slab be taken out of the old water tower and replaced there? Or shall the list be posted in the pumping station itself?

It may be suggested that the reason for putting the list of the old builders of “The Chicago Water Works” in the rower was that people climbing the tower to get a bird’s-eye view of things, had to pass the marble slab. Now, people don’t climb the tower to see anything; there are apartments in the neighborhood a head taller than the tower and running express elevators to their roofs.

What’s the use? Today the old “water tower” is a city laboratory where they test concrete, steel, asphalt, and its adulterants.

Chicago Tribune Editorial, June 21, 1911

poster
Commissioner McGann has reported to the council that the Chicago avenue water tower must be thoroughly repaired or torn down.

It is said that the tower is no longer useful and that money should not be spent on it.

That all depends upon what is meant by useful. In this generation we are getting a broader conception of that term. We are leaving the crude standards of the frontier town and beginning to think of Chicago as a great world city, ambitious to be honored and admired as a center of civilization, a community where men have other aims than money making, a community where the arts may spring and flourish, where human life means more than eating, and sleeping, and digging.

The Chicago avenue water tower is the most distinctive and the most venerable landmark remaining in the city. It looked down upon the engulfing flames of ’71, amd barely escaped that epoch making trial. For many years it was one of the show places of the city, and many an indefatigable tourist before the days of the skyscraper and the elevator toiled up the winding stairway to view the brave young city spread below. About this tower have clustered many associations, humorous, and sentimental, and tragic, and it has become a part, a most sightly and honorable feature of the physiognomy of Chicago.

Shall we grudge a few dollars, nay, thousands of dollars to preserve it? We are awakening to a finer ideal of Chicago as a personality among cities, as a place to be cherished and beautified. The old water tower is picturesque, esthetically worthy, and associated strikingly in our memories with our thought of home. Both the towwr and the little square in which it stands are in every way worth preserving as they have been so many years. The Chicago Historical society, the Musical Art league, the friends of the City Pln, and every one who wishes to conserve and extend what is sightly and significant in Chicago ought to some come promptly to their rescue.

Chicago Tribune, October 15, 1911

poster
Workmen yesterday began tearing down twenty-five feet of the old tower on the city water works at the foot of East Chicago avenue, which is to be converted to a public observation tower next spring. The tower is 150 feet high and was erected in 1867.

The top of the tower had become dilapidated. Thomas J. Burns, the chief engineer recommended the change, as he believed there was danger of the tower collapsing.

Said Engineer Burns:

It is good for no other purpose. A stairway is to be built inside the tower, which affords a good view if the lake.

View looking west along Pearson Street. Quigley Preparatory Seminary steeple on the right,

Chicago Tribune, June 27, 1918

The finance committee turned down a proposition from M. J. Faherty, president of the board of local improvements, for a $20,000 appropriation to move the Chicago avenue water tower, one of the city’s landmarks. The tower will be in the center of North Michigan avenue when the project is completed.

Chicago Tribune, April 12, 1919

The Chicago Historical society has protested against the “removal or destruction” of the Chicago avenue water works tower, “a land mark for fifty years,” to make way for the boulevard link extension.”

Chicago Tribune, October 10, 1926

poster
An inferno of flame, running with the speed of a swift horse, leaping from block to block, belching clouds of smoke and cinders. A stiff wind carrying millions of firerbrands and hundreds of burning boards from houses and lumber yards, to set scores of new fires. Streets choked with panic-stricken people, abandoning their home. Death near, and destructiin everywhere.

Thus many of the survivors of the great Chicago fire of 1871 attempted yesterday afternoon, st the Chicago Historical Society’s observance of the fifty-fifth anniversary of the conflagration, to descrive the catastrophe.

Each Tells What He Saw.
Many and various were the conversational chapters added to the historical tale. None of the speakers during the afternoon had a more vivid story to tell than had Wallace Rice, son of the former proprietors of the Sherman house, who was a schoolboy at the time of the fire. Mr. Rice gave his auditors some idea of the rapidity with which the fire advanced, when he related that the old Sherman house was ignited by flames from the old home of The Chicago Tribune, in the Ashley block, and that in just eight minutes, it had been destroyed.

Dr. Homer Thomas told of the privations endured by Chicagoans as the result of the burning of the water-works, and of the generosity if those who escaped, mainly west side residents, in caring for the victims. William Thomas and Mrs. Charles Dana were among others who recounted their experiences in fleeing from their homes. It was Obediah Sands who likened the pace of a racehorse to the onrush of the flames.

Wants Water Tower Preserved.
Dr. Otto L. Schmidt, president of the Historical society, introduced Harvey Frost, who in a letter to the Voice of the People column, in The Tribune, had suggested the preservation of the old water tower at Chicago avenue and Michigan as a memorial of the fire. The audience was unanimous in favor of carrying out the plan.

A comment that Michigan avenue should be widened at that point to accommodate traffic was meyt with the declaration that the widening should come on the east side of the street, so as not to disturb the original location of the water tower, the only building in that district to survive the fire.

Wallace Rice advanced the suggestion that the old Chicago courthouse, erected on the site of the present city hall, should be reproduced on the McKinlock campus, as a new home for the Historical society. Both the architecture and the size of the building would lend themselves admirably to the purpose, he declared.

Two “creations” of Worth of Paris, designed in 1871, were worn by Mrs. Mariam Pleak and Mrs. Leroy Kellogg, who impersonated the former owners of the gowns, Mrs. August Harris Burley, mother of Clarence Burley, a former president of the Historical society, and Mrs. T. B. Carter. Dwight Hubbart impersonated Clarence Eddy, a famous organist of that period.

The completion of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920 joined Michigan Avenue below the river and Pine Street above it into a single street. The photo above is from 1926.

Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1933

PLAQUES INSTALLED IN WATER TOWER HONOR FORMER CITY ENGINEERS.

Chicago Tribune, January 23, 1934

armory

Scaffolding around the old Chicago water tower at Chicago and Michigan avenues. The landmark is being repaired with federal funds.

Chicago Tribune, January 28, 1934

streeter

TOP:

MIDDLE:

BOTTOM:

Chicago Tribune, June 23, 1934

A CWA Project
A force of 73 CWA workmen was engaged yesterday in tuckpointing the old Chicago avenue water tower, near north side landmark, and the adjoining city pumping station at Chicago and Michigan avenues. The men will be at work another two months, it was estimated by Commissioner of Public Works Hewitt, working 24 hours a week. The project will cost $35,000.

840 N. Michigan building

Chicago Tribune, March 28, 1967

poster
poster
Mayor Daley and more than 400 guests joined in a sentimental rendition of “Happy Birthday, Dear Water Tower” yesterday in celebration of the building’s 100th birthday.

The birthday party was held in the Sheraton-Chicago hotel. It was sponsored by the Greater North Michigan Avenue association.

The event opened what Mayor Daley has proclaimed to be “Water Tower week in Chicago.” The tower cornerstone was dedicated March 25, 1867.

Hides the Standpipe
The building that has become almost a symbol of Chicago was designed as a coverup—the 138-foot standpipe it hides was regarded as an eyesore by the residents of stately homes nearby.

The mayor, “on behalf of the people of Chicago and in the true spirit of the water tower,” presented a piece of surface stone from the tower to Robert E. Slater, president of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance company.

Slater said the stone will be implanted into the 100-story John Hancock center, which is being constructed at Delaware place and Michigan avenue.

Photographs of the tower thru its 100 years were shown at the party. Clement M. Silvestro, director of the Chicago Historical society, pointed out that the castle-like building resisted the flames of the Chicago fire of 1871, which destroyed its neighbors.

Becomes “Ugly” Eyesore
Architect William W. Boyington had been commissioned to design a building “with more than usual architectural beauty,” but by the turn of the century it was regarded as ugly by owners of some of the nearby mansions, who campaigned unsuccessfully to have it torn down.

In 1918 plans to tear down the tower to straighten Michigan avenue were changed when a flood of protest was heard by residents.

The tower served no useful purpose for many years, Silvestri said, but Chicagoans look upon it today with affection. “The tower is quaint,” he said. “Even whimsical.”

In a tribute to the tower, Mayor Daley said, “Only by reading the past can we walk properly into the future.”

He called the tower a symbol of Chicago’s great past and predicted that Chicago will be the first city to find the solutions to the problems of health, employment, housing, and education.

E. W. Blatchford Lead Factory & Chicago Shot Tower Companies

< --Previous Up Next–>

Eliphalet W. Blatchford Lead Factory & Chicago Shot Tower Companies
Life Span: 1857/1868-1901
Location: 70 N. Clinton, Southwest corner of Clinton and Fulton streets
Architect: Wm. Backus & Co.

D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859-60

Blatchford E. W.

Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863-64
Chicago Lead and Oil Works, E. W. Blatchford, prop., N. Clinton, cor. Fulton

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Chicago Lead & Oil Works, E. W. Blatchford, prop., 70 N. Clinton

Weekly Chicago Times, December 31, 1857

The Lead Factory of Messrs. Collins & Blanchford, on the site of the old building on the corner of Fulton street. It consists of a main part 55 by 100 feet, five stories high, the whole height being an average of 76 feet; also, a one story extension at the west end of the main part, 25 by 65 feet, having a brick shaft 91 feet in height. The building is so constructed that each of four stories are left free of all obstruction except a single row of iron columns in the centre, and have also light on all sides, thus making them peculiarly well adapted to all purposes of manufacturing. At the same time, such is the strength of the floors that the first one will safely support seven hundred tons and the second over three hundred tons. A dry cellar suitable for storage is under the whole of the main building. The extension contains rooms for boilers, coal. and straw for packing, all distinct, and rendered fire-proof by means of fire walls, iron roof and iron shutters. The front on Clinton street is of pressed brick, and the other fronts of common brick, with ornamental brick and stone cornices, all of a style, in which brick arches, stone and iron trimmings are used in such a manner as readily indicates the character of the building. The roof is steep, covered with extra tin. The whole building is so carefully and strongly built that it is not only the most substantial building now erected in our city, but is, in the estimation of good judges who have seen it, second to none in the country in its adaptedness to the purposes for which it was intended. The entire cost has been $88,000. Wm. Backus & Co., architects. Lawrence & Hinchliff, masons. Cleveland & Russell, carpenters; Mason & McArthurs, iron workers. The fifth story is arranged for Masonic and Odd Fellows’ lodge rooms. The Masonic room will when finished be, for beauty and convenience, the best in the city, and speaks well for the enterprise of the fraternity by whom and for whose use this part of the building is fitted up.

Chicago Evening Post, March 21, 1868

The Chicago Shot Tower Company has just been organized with a capital of $50,000.

The Land Owner, 1868

Chicago Evening Post, June 5, 1868

For some time past Messrs. E. W. Blatchford & Co. have been contemplating the erection of a shot-tower in connection with their establishment, the Chicago Lead and Oil works, at the corner of Fulton and Clinton streets, on the West Side, and a short time ago the contracts were made for the mason work and the undertaking was commenced. Excavations for the foundation wall were made to a depth of fourteen feet from the surface and large flat-bedded stones were laid as the basis of the immense tower. The dimensions of of the foundation, which is square, are 32×35 feet, with a large inverted arch in the centre which reaches down from the top of the cap-stones a distance of ten or twelve feet, so that the bottom of the arch is on a level with the basement floor. Into this arch or reservoir the shot will drop from the top of the tower. As a means of communication, a door is cut through from the basement, and a track will be laid for cars to run upon to carry the bars of lead in and bring out the shot. Within the tower will be an elevator, worked by steam, which will take the lead to the top. The brick work will commence immediately on the top of the capstones, and the tower will be twenty-five feet in diameter at the base, running up to the great height of 196 feet, in the form of a cone, the diameter at the top being twelve feet. The wall will be three feet and a half in thickness, and it is estimated that it will require 700,000 brick in its construction.

The process of making shot by a tower was invented in 1782. in Bristol, England, by a workman named Watts, who proved its practicability by pouring some molten lead from the tower of a church in Bristol. The principle now in use is nearly the same, molten lead being poured through a colander, from a considerable height, into reservoirs of water below. The lead falls in small globular drops. The holes in the colander, of course, vary in size according to the denomination of the shot—No. 0 requiring holes 1-50th inch in diameter ard No. 9 holes 1-360th inch in diameter. The colanders are iron hemispheres 10 inches in diameter and are coated with the cream or scum which is taken from the molten metal. A small portion of arsenic is melted with the lead and the fusion in the colander is maintained by those vessels being surrounded by burning charcoal. The fall through the air enables the lead to cool and harden before taking its plunge in the water. Previous to this discovery the shot were dropped from the colander at once into the water. but the lead was then so soft that the shot were flattened by coming in contact with the water The smaller sizes require less fall than the large—100 feet suficing for sizes Nos. 4 to 9, and the larger sorts demanding 150 feet fall.

After cooling, the shot is sifted in successive sieves to separate the sizes. Imperfect shot are found by their inability to roll. The black, polised appearance that shot have is caused by placing them in small octagonal boxes in which a little plumbago has been thrown and to which a rotary motion is then given.

The highest shot tower in the world is in Italy, where there is a fall 249 feet, but probably there is not a more substantial foundation in the world than that which has been laid by Messrs. Blatchford & Co. In the superstructure as well as foundation the very best material will be used, the brick being of the first quality and costing eleven dollars per thousand. The hydraulic cement which is used will harden and become as firm as stone, and perfectly water tight.

It may be thought that the demand for shot is rapidly decreasing now that the war is over and game growing scarce, and that in view of the near approach of the millennium, when there will be no necessity for these deadly missiles, the great enterprise, the only one of the kind in the State, will be without use.

Such is not the fact, however, the demand for shot being immense and increasing, and as this manufactory will save the transportation of the heavy material from the East, it will be undoubtedly find constant employment and prove profitable to its energetic proprietors, as it will be creditable and advantageous to the city.

It is thought that the work will be completed about the first of January next,—perhaps before then—the immense foundation being completed, and the brick work of the tower proper already some two feet in height. The cost of the tower will be $65,000, and that of the building which is to surround it some $10,000 more, making the total cost of the undertaking $75,000. The progress and completion of the work will be a source of interest to our citizens, and the lofty tower will be a conspicuous landmark for many miles around.

1876 Chicago Directory

The Chicago Tribune, February 19, 1901

blast After remaining for thirty-four years one of the landmarks and sights of Chicago, the old shot tower at the southwest corner of Clinton and Fulton streets is to be torn down and the ground under it devoted to other uses.

Fifteen and twenty years ago the Chicago shot tower was one of the prime attractions of the city. Its existence was known for a hundred miles in any direction, and strangers from contiguous towns were usually anxious to visit the place “where shot was made.” It was as much a center of interest in its day as the Auditorium is now. Before it became surrounded with high buildings and in advance of the skyscraper the tower was one of the loftiest points in the city. But it is to go. In a commercial sense it has become a “back number,” and it is to be razed by its owners because it no longer serves the purpose of its original construction. It has been “distanced” in the rapid march of business.

Little or no shot has been made In the old tower for several years. When the American Shot and Lead company was formed the Chicago tower absorbed by the trust. It is not known what sort of a building will supplant the tower, but it will not be one for the manufacture of shot.

The tower was built In 1867, and is 195 feet high. The shot were made from molten lead and dropped from the top of the tower into water at the bottom of the structure, the ball formation being obtained in the falling. The Chicago tower is not the oldest in the West, the one in St. Louis antedating It. The American Shot and Lead company owns similar towers in Cincinnati, Kansas City, Omaha, and New Orleans. The plants In Cincinnati and St. Louis, however, are the only ones now operated.

“There has been a change In the trade center of the shot business during the last fifteen or twenty years,” said J. R. Wettstein, secretary of the American Shot and Lead company. “The consumption has moved from the West and South to the East.

Chicago Tribune, March 27, 1901
Active work has begun in tearing down the old shot tower which has stood for thirty-two years at the corner of North Clinton and Fulton streets. The old shaft which was once used to lift up the lead to the melting kettles at the top has been fitted up with a chain elevator with twenty-four buckets. This is fastened on supports which can be lowered as the structure is torn down. The elevator is worked by the weight of the bricks in the buckets. When the load reaches the bottom it is thrown out with such force that the sound of the bricks being hurled against a temporary fence can be heard for a block.

The men have succeeded in three days in tearing down twenty-five feet of the tower. It is expected that it will be several weeks before the work is finished. The tower, which was built in 1869, was 200 feet high. At the top its circumference was twelve feet, the walls being thirteen inches thick. At the top were melting kettles and at the bottom was a tank of water, four feet deep. The molten metal was passed through a sieve and was formed into balls by its passage through the air, while its fall was broken by the water.

The cost of the tower was something like $40,000. In its place will be erected a six-story structure for manufacturing purposes

Chicago Tribune, January 26, 1914

Eliphalet Wickes Blatchford. one of the old residents of Chicago and conspicuous in the social, industrial. and educational life of the city, died last night at the family residence, 1111 North La Salle street. He was 83 vears old.

Mr. Blatchford was, from an executive viewpoint, the “father” of the Newberry library and the Crerar library. For years he was head of the board of directors of the Chicago Theological seminary, vice president of the American Board for Foreign Missions of the Congregational church, and a trustee of Illinois college and of Rockford semtnary.

Aided Balkan War Sufferers.
Mr. Blatchford was one of the originators of the Chicago City Missionary society, the Chicago Congregational club, and the New West Education Commission. It was in his house that the Bohemian mission of Chicago was organized, and one of his last great activities was the starting of an appeal one year ago for aid for the sufferers from the Balkan war.

Mr. Blatchford was born in Stillwater, N. Y. on May 31, 1826. He removed to Chicago in boyhood, when his father, the Rev. John Blatchford, became pastor of the First Presbyter1an church. He was educated at Illinois college at Jacksonville, from which he was graduated in 1845. Five years later he went to St. Louis and engaged in the lead and oil industry, and in 1854 came to Chicago to manage the local office of his partnership. The firm subsequently was dissolved and that of E. W. Blatchford & Co. started. This continues today near the site of the old office of sixty years ago. Latterly he had retired, leaving the business to the management of others of his family

“Fathers’ Two Libraries.
Mr. Blatchford’s public services began in 1861 when he was made treasurer of the northwestern branch of the United States sanitary commission, laboring desperately here and in the south in the hospital service of that period.

A few years later he and Judge Mark Skinner became trustees for the Walter C. Newberry estate, out of which came the Newberry library. It was in 1891 that the will of John Crerar made him trustee for the $3.000.000 estate which brought the Crerar library.

Twenty years ago Mr. Blatchford, with his wife and daughter, made an extensive tour of Egypt and Palestine, visiting 120 missions and making a special report with recommendations to the home office of the church. The old residence in North La Salle street has been occupied by the Blatchford family since the Are of 1871. and was erected on the ruins of the former residence. It contains a library of 5,000 voiumes, one of the best in Chicago.

Mr. Blatchford was a mernber of the Union League club, the Chicago club, the University club, and the Chicago Literary club. The funeral arrangements have not been completed.