Wabash Avenue YMCA

Wabash Avenue YMCA..
Address: 3763 S. Wabash Ave.
Year Built: 1911-1913
Architect: Robert C. Berlin
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..



The plaque reads..
Chicago Landmarks..
Wabash Avenue YMCA
Built 1911-13, addition 1945
An important center of community life, this Young Men's Christian Association facility also provided housing and job training for new arrivals from the South during the "Great Migration" of African-Americans in the first decades of the 20th century. It closed as a YMCA in the late 1970's. It is one of nine structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District.
Designated on Sep 9, 1998
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Commission on Chicago Landmarks..

Unity Hall

Unity Hall..
Address: 3140 S. Indiana Ave.
Year Built: 1887
Architect: Laban B. Dixon
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..



The plaque reads..
Chicago Landmark
Unity Hall
L.B.Dixon, architect
1887
Originally built as the Lakeside Club, a Jewish social organization, this structure was renamed in 1917 when it became the headquarters of the Peoples Movement Club, a political organization headed by Oscar Stanton DePriest, the first African-American elected to the City Council and the first northern black elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. This rare surviving example of a 19th-century clubhouse building, is one of nine structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District.
Designated on Sep 9, 1998
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Commission on Chicago Landmarks..



The sign reads..
Chicago landmark District
Black Metropolis - Bronzeville
These nine structures are what remains of "The Metropolis", one of nations most significant landmarks of African American urban history. Developed during the first decades of the 20th century, this "city-within-a-city" was home to numerous nationally prominent, black-owned-and-operated business and allied institutions..
Commission on Chicago Landmarks,
City of Chicago,
Richard M. Daley, Mayor..

Supreme Life Building

Supreme Life Building..
Address: 3501 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Year Built: 1921, remodeled 1950 and 2006
Architect: Albert Anis
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..

This was the longtime headquarters of the first African-American owned and operated insurance company in the northern United States. Founded in 1919 by Frank L. Gillespie [as the Liberty Life Insurance Company], the firm moved in 1921 into the second floor of this building, which had been constructed by the Roosevelt State Bank. Liberty Life bought the entire structure in 1924 and, in 1929, merged with two out-of-state firms to form the Supreme Life Insurance Company of America. In 1950, after becoming one of the few major businesses of "Black Metropolis" to survive the Great Depression, the company modernized the building by covering the original classical-style facade with porcelain-metal panels. It is one of nine structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District..

Sunset Cafe

Sunset Cafe..
Address: 315 E. 35th St.
Year Built: 1909, 1921, 1937
Architects: Alfred Schartz, Sobel & Drielsma
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..
Now it's Ace hardware store..

It's city's earliest and most legendary jazz venues. it was originally built in 1909 as an ordinary automobile garage. In 1921, Edward Fox and Sam Rifas, remodeled the garage, and opened it as "Sunset Cafe". It was a white-owned black-and-tan cabaret. The cabaret was managed by Joe Glaser, who later became Louis Armstrong's manager. Soon Sunset Cafe became an important jazz venue. It featured famed musicians as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Johnny Dodds, and Earl "Fatha" Hines. Many promising young artists, including Bix Beiderbecke, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa, got their start at late-night sessions here. It was remodeled again in 1937 and renamed as the Grand Terrace Cafe. It remained a popular night club until 1950. It later housed the office of the Second Ward Regular Democratic Organization and became a hardware store in the 1970s. It is one of nine structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District.

The name of Sunset Cafe is closely associated with that of Louis Armstrong.. He was born in New Orleans and came to Chicago in 1922. Armstrong recorded his first record "Hot Fives" at Sunset Cafe..

Eighth Regiment Armory

Eighth Regiment Armory..
Address: 3533 S. Giles Ave.
Year Built: 1914-1915
Architect: James B. Dibelka
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..











This was the first armory in the United States built for an African-American military regiment. The "Fighting 8th" traces its roots to the formation of the volunteer Hannibal Guard militia in 1871. It later became a division of the Illinois National Guard and during World War I was incorporated into the 370th U.S. Infantry (also see Victory Monument). After the armory closed in the early-1960s, it became the South Central Gymnasium. In 1999, following an extensive renovation, it was reopened as a public high school. It is one of nine structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District..

Update

Here is one book I have been greatly inspired by.. Chicago Figural Sculpture, A chronological portrait 1871-1923.. by Gregory H. Jenkins, AIA. click here.. The book has an amazing selection of figural sculptures, from the time of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to about the mid Roaring Twenties.. For me, the most impressive are photographs of the architectural sculptures that surround us and that we so easily overlook. It certainly made me notice and appreciate the art and architecture around us, much more than I used to. He also maintains a wonderful blog.. Check out CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE in the Loop.. click here..

I started my series on "Architectural Ornamentation /Sculptures" based on the book.... click here.. Yesterday was a gorgeous day. Clear blue sky, warm golden sunshine and crisp clean air! I wished the day never ended. I did manage some good photographs and have updated some of my earlier posts on architectural sculptures, with somewhat better images, mostly taken yesterday..





















Few updated posts..
# Harold Washington Library..
# Manhatten Building..
# Fisher Building..
# Heald Square Monument..

The Elks National Memorial

The Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building..
Address: 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue
Year Built: 1924-1926
Architects: Ottenheimer, Stern & Reichert, Egerton Swartwout
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: October 1, 2003..

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The plaque reads..
Chicago Landmark
Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building
1924-26
This building was constructed by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, an American Franternal Organization, in tribute to 1,037 Elks who died and 70,000 Elks who served World War-I, to whom it was dedicated on July 14, 1926. Known as the Elks Veterans Memorial, it has been rededicated to succeeding generations of America's Veterans. Its Roman-inspired dome, grandly scaled colonnade and distinctive friezes enclose an ornate interior adorned with allegorical murals and sculptures embodying noble and humanitarian ideals.
Designated on October 1, 2003
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Commission on Chicago Landmarks..

This Memorial has so many remarkable features that it's difficult to cover them all..
Here are some of the outstanding features...

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Reclining Elks..
By Laura Gardin Fraser
Two life size reclining elks flank the steps in front of the Elks National Memorial, where the steps where they meet the sidewalk.. There are two more of her sculptors in the Memorial, "Earth" and "Air". Sculptor Laura Gardin was born in Chicago and was married to another well reputed sculptor James Earle Fraser..
# For more.. click here..

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Sculptures "Fraternity" and "Patriotism"..
By Adolph A. Weinman..
The image here is of "Fraternity"..
Adolph Alexander Weinman was a German born American sculptor. He was a famous architectural sculptor who worked a lot with architects McKim, Mead, and White. The beautiful freize on the exterior walls of the building is also by Weinman.
# For more.. click here..

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The Triumphs of Peace Endure, The Triumphs of War Perish..
By Adolph A. Weinman
The remarkable frieze on the facade is on the theme of war and peace.. It extends on either side of the front door. It brings out the pain and suffering of war and the bounty of peace..
# For more.. click here..

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The Rotunda..
As I entered the Memorial, I was overwhelmed by the "WOW" feeling. There is a lot to admire.. heroic sculptures, allegorical murals, carved ceiling, marble columns, brass work and hand-painted windows.. I had to cover the Rotunda in seperate posts..

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The Rotunda: Heroic Sculptures..
representing.. Brotherly Love, Fidelity, Justice and Charity..
By James Earle Fraser
These are the cardinal virtues of the order of Elks...
Murals..
By Eugene Francis Savage..
Diectly above the sculptures are murals representing Army, Air Force, Navy and those who do not fight, but assist in other ways..
# For more.. click here..

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Rotunda: The carved ceiling..
The rotunda is ninety-six feet high from floor to dome.. There are twenty four giant columns that stand twenty seven feet above the floor.. There are twelve murals behind these marble columns.. and further above it the intricately carved ceiling..
# For more.. click here..

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Rotunda: Upper Rotunda Murals..
By Eugene Francis Savage
These allegorical murals are on various themes.. There are the Order of Elks symbol bearers, "Brotherly Love”, "Charity”, Fidelity” and "Justice".. and murals based on sermons like "theirs is the kingdom of heaven"..
# For more.. click here..

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Entry to the Grand Reception Hall..
There are three murals.. Charity, Fraternity and Justice..
By Edwin Howland Blashfield..
He is famous for creating large works of a historical or allegorical nature..
# For more.. click here..

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The Grand Reception Hall..
As if the Rotunda was not enough to wow anyone, there's the Grand Reception, with heat sensitive light that switches on as soon as one enters the place.. and lo and behold, one is overwhelmed by beauty! A masterpiece in rare woods, palacial Oriental rugs and unique fine furnishing Again it would take more than one post to cover this place..
# For more.. click here..

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The Grand Reception Hall: Hand-painted glass windows..
I was told that these are not stained glass windows, but hand-painted. However I have no idea of the themes of these painting.. I did spot the familiar angels and cherubs and bald eagles..
# For more.. click here..

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The Grand Reception Hall: Ceiling murals..
Although many of the allegorical murals have been elaborately described on the Elk Memorial website and the brochure provided at the place, there is complete lack of any description about the ceiling murals..
# For more images.. click here..

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The Grand Reception Hall: Wall Murals..
By Eugene Francis Savage
There are two allegorical murals.. "Paths of Peace" and "The Armistice".. The themes are been well elaborated with markers.. Like The Dove, Olive Branch and Rainbow fill out the scene, indicating Promise of a New Peace...
# For more.. click here..

For more.. [click on the link]
# Facade freizes- By Adolph A. Weinman...
# Sculptures: "Fraternity" and "Patriotism" - By Adolph A. Weinman..
# Sculptures: Reclining Elks - By Laura Gardin Fraser..
# Sculptures: "Air" & "Earth" - By Laura Gardin Fraser
# Rotunda: Heroic Sculptures - By James Earle Fraser..
# Rotunda: The intricately carved ceiling...
# Rotunda: murals- By Eugene Francis Savage..
# Grand Reception Hall: Entry murals - By Edwin Howland Blashfield..
# Grand Reception Hall..
# Grand Reception Hall: Hand-painted glass windows..
# Grand Reception Hall: Ceiling murals...
# Grand Reception Hall: Wall murals- By Eugene Francis Savage..