Elgin then & now — The Hubbard Block
While many of Elgin’s pioneers made their money through farming or the dairy industry, William G. Hubbard made his fortune through the dry goods business. Hubbard, a pioneer merchant, opened his building on the corner of Chicago and Douglas in 1851. It was there that he kept company with the best of the movers and shakers that Elgin had to offer. One of Hubbard’s original tenets was John Newman, owner and operator of Springbrook Creameries, as well as the owner of over 500 dairies. His other tenets were many of the German enterprises of the day, including Siedel’s Bakery, Adler’s clothing store and Pabst Chicago House.
The original wooden building was destroyed in one of Elgin’s worst fires ever, on March 23, 1974. The fire shattered the glass windows across the street and seared buildings blocks away. It would be replaced with a white brick building that connected many other building on the block via the second and third floors. The second building would come to be known as The Lawyers Building, which was gutted by fire in 1979. It was torn down in 1980. (Source:elginpostcards.tripod.com)
The present building, I think, was built in the late 90s by Kurt Kresmery. Does anybody know for sure?
Possibly related posts:
Loading ...
Loading ...
The image links are not working for me.
Fixed!
Yes, My brother Marc and I, did reconstruct this property in 1999. The second and third floors are contected to the building next door on Chicago street giving the total structure a foot print of 38,000 sqft. Much of the structual elements of the rebuilt building were reclaimed from previously used brick and timbers from other period buildings that were torn down.
Awesome job btw! Same with the Ackemann Building on Highland… It does prove that sometimes Elgin City government along with business/private sector can come up with a win win scenario.
But it’s most often the exception not the rule.
The cornerstone on the building says “Kresmery, Est 1999.” My office at the Tower building faces this building on Douglas, and I’ve often wondered how such a new building came to be at the location. Thanks for the history!
Here’s some pictures of the second fire you mention:
http://elginet.smugmug.com/News-Media-Photos/Elgin-Historical-Photos-from/5508536_FgVH9b/4/337105105_JGF6V#!i=337105105&k=JGF6V
wow, that was a big scary fire. thanks for the link.