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Lost Legends

Masonic Temple in 1900. Photo by Detroit Publishing Company

Lost Legends #10: The Masonic Temple Building in The Loop

7:45 am on September 20, 2023 By Jack Crawford

In this edition of the “Lost Legends” series, we delve into the history of The Loop‘s Masonic Temple Building, which stood tall from 1892 until the late 1930s. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Burnham and Root, the Masonic Temple Building was the city’s tallest from 1895 to 1899 (taking the title initially when the original Board of Trade Building had its clock tower removed, then surpassed by The Montgomery Ward Building), serving as an emblem of Chicago’s status as a global pioneer in architecture and engineering.

Lost Legends #9: Chicago’s Central Station in South Loop

7:45 am on August 13, 2023 By Jack Crawford

Chicago’s Central Station, once a hub of vibrant activity, represents a significant chapter in American railway history. Constructed in 1893, the station was designed by esteemed architect Bradford L. Gilbert to accommodate the traffic demands of the World’s Columbian Exposition. Located near Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue, the station’s strategic position was instrumental for moving people and goods within the city and beyond. Notably, there was another dismantled passenger station known as Grand Central Station, which was highlighted in a previous Lost Legends article.

Evolution of the Chicago 'S' Curve. Imagery via YIMBY+

Lost Legends #8: The Lake Shore Drive ‘S’ Curve Bottleneck

7:30 am on August 1, 2023 By Jack Crawford

As evident from our last installment of ‘Lost Legends’ showcasing the Prentice Women’s Hospital, once-celebrated designs may reveal impracticalities as functional demands evolve. While not “legendary” in a traditional sense, the story of the construction and later removal of Lake Shore Drive’s zig-zag ‘S’ curve conveys a similar notion of a city adapting to changing infrastructural needs.

Dearborn Station as seen in 1906. Postcard illustration by Detroit Publishing Co

Lost Legends #7: Dearborn Station’s Pitched Roof

7:30 am on June 1, 2023 By Jack Crawford

Dearborn Station, also known as Polk Street Depot, is one of the remaining central stations in Chicago. This Printer’s Row passenger hub was once notably taller, featuring a distinctive steep pitched roof. In this seventh Lost Legends article, we will discuss the changes in the station over its 140-year history, including the fire that resulted in the loss of the additional structure.

Lost Legends #6: Original Prentice Women’s Hospital in Streeterville

7:45 am on May 5, 2023 By Jack Crawford

The Prentice Women’s Hospital building was once an architecturally iconic structure standing at 333 E Superior Street in the Streeterville neighborhood. In this edition of the “Lost Legends” series, we explore the history of the original Prentice Women’s Hospital building and its cutting-edge care, the vision of its architect, the hospital’s relocation and subsequent demolition of the structure, as well as its present-day replacement.

Lost Legends #5: Grand Central Station in South Loop

7:45 am on April 19, 2023 By Jack Crawford

Chicago once had its own Grand Central Station, a proud and bustling hub of railway activity, now existing only in the annals of history. The magnificent South Loop structure, designed by a renowned architect and boasting a rich past, was eventually overshadowed by its more famous counterparts. This latest installment in our series delves into the story of this lost legend, exploring its history, the vision of its architect, its demolition, and its present day incarnation.

Lost Legends #4: Uncovering the History of the Chicago and North Western Station

7:30 am on April 6, 2023 By Jack Crawford

In this fourth installment of our “Lost Legends” series, we explore the Chicago and North Western Station in West Loop Gate, a Renaissance Revival-style structure that once served as an architectural icon in the heart of the city. Originally designed by architects Frost and Granger, the station held an extraordinary legacy until it was ultimately demolished in 1984 to clear the path for the Citicorp Center Tower.

Lost Legends #3: The WBKB Antennas in River North

7:30 am on March 25, 2023 By Jack Crawford

In the third installment of our “Lost Legends” series, we turn our attention to a pair of antennas atop that were once perched at Marina City complex’s West Tower, earning the building the title of tallest structure in the city from 1964 to 1969 before the John Hancock Center was completed.

Lost Legends #2: The Morrison Hotel in The Loop

7:45 am on March 20, 2023 By Jack Crawford

Welcome to the second part of our “Lost Legends” series, where we delve into the histories of some of Chicago’s iconic buildings and structures that no longer stand today. In this installment, we will discuss the Morrison Hotel, which was once a prominent edifice near the center of The Loop and one of the tallest buildings ever demolished. We will explore its design, historical significance, and the legacy it left behind.

Lost Legends #1: The Chicago Federal Building in The Loop

7:45 am on March 17, 2023 By Jack Crawford

The architectural landscape of Chicago is ever-evolving, with many structures meeting their end to make way for new, cutting-edge designs. While demolition is necessary for a thriving metropolis, it often comes at the cost of losing touch with the city’s historical roots and in some cases the demise of beloved landmarks in the name of pragmatism.

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