Polk/Dearborn Street Station - Chicago

Designed by New York Architect Cyrus L.W. Widlitz, the Romanesque Revival style structure opened its doors to passengers in the spring of 1885. The three-story building's exterior walls and twelve-story clock tower were composed of pink granite and red pressed brick topped by a number of steeply-pitched roofs.

In 1922 a fire destroyed most of the building and in the rebuilding, the pitched roof's were removed. While this modification detracted from the original beauty of the structure, it is still one of the few surviving rail stations of its size and era.

As the railroads declined in importance and passenger traffic diminished, operations ceased at this terminal and the spring of 1971 after 86 years of service the building was closed. It sat empty and neglected for several years. The station began a new life in the mid-1980s as a retail space.

It is one of the oldest railroad stations in the U.S. and the last remaining of Chicago's early downtown stations. Its designer was a noted New York architect.

Designated a Chicago Landmark: March 2, 1982

New Britain, Conn - Old City Hall

Originally built in 1886 as the Hotel Russwin, the City of New Britain acquired this magnificent structure in 1909. It has been used as the City Hall ever since. Located at 27 West Main Street, City Hall is home to the tax office, building department, Mayor's office, Parks and Recreation, and other services.

Designed by Joseph M. Wells who had a connection to Cass Gilbert.

From the Minnesota Historical Society, the following:

"Another Wells design, the Russell and Erwin Building (also known as the RussWin Hotel) in New Britain, Connecticut, may have been a model for Gilbert and Taylor's organization of the Endicott facades, and the RussWin itself derived from another McKim, Mead, and White building. Gilbert knew about Wells's work in New Britain because Wells had written him in 1884: "I have one new work in hand, of considerable importance to me—An office building in New Britain, Connecticut. I think it will be more liked than Villard's Houses, though I have not aimed at Popularity. It looks very promising just now. It is a monumental work, where we had money to spend, and fair dimensions."

Philadelphia and Reading Passenger Station, Harrisburg PA.

This is the Philadelphia and Reading Passenger Station in Harrisburg, PA. built in 1835.

I can find no information on this wonderful old station, but suspect it was torn down long ago. If anyone knows about this building, feel free to email me.

Fleming Building

Completed in 1909, the Fleming Building in Des Moines Iowa is a fine example of the early "Skyscraper" style. Designed by D.H. Burnham & Company who is famous for the Flatiron building in NYC.

The bulding stands 11 stories high and has Beaux-Arts Classical references found in proportions and details.

Added to the National register of Historic Places in 2002.

Located at Walnut and 6th Avenue in Des Moines and is open to the public.