Category: chicago

A Shot in the Dark—Charles W. Kallal

I’m hoping this shows up on some family member’s list of Google hits during a genealogy search.

Are you related to Chicago City Architect Charles William Kallal (possiby born Karel Villem Kallal)? He was active in the 1910s and 1920s, building and designing many municipal buildings. I’m seeking more information about your relative, and, particularly, any photos you might have of him. Any Kallals out there? He built the Mayfair Pumping Station and Engine Co. 78 (the fire station near Wrigley Field). Any help will be much appreciated, and I promise I’ll do right by him. He’s an interesting guy. Naturally, I’ll share any information I’ve discovered on my own. Thanks!

Oh right, contact me here or at dan [at] mrdankelly [dot] com

Kling Brothers and Co. Building, by Alfred S. Alschuler

A happy accident of misdirection took me past this lovely thing. Alschuler is probably best known for the London Garantee Building at Michigan and Wacker. I don’t know anything about the Kling Brothers, but I’m assuming this was a warehouse/factory of some kind. Nice incorporation of the Magen David in the logo. Side note: Alschuler worked for Dankmar Adler and designed the second synagogue for the KAM Isaiah Israel Temple in Hyde Park. The previous building was designed by Adler and Sullivan, which suffered a horrific fire back in 2006.

I Hate Taggers

Within a week of a trellis being set up in front of the Chicago Motor Club Building (more info here), a tagger took advantage of the cover and scrawled who-knows-what-the-hell on the facade. While not an “important” building, it’s a nifty little Art Deco gem, tucked away in an infrequently visited corner of Michigan Avenue. Outshone by its Dalek-like neighbor, the Carbide and Carbon Building, the building nonetheless has a quiet simplicity and dignity. It certainly doesn’t need “Mode Magz’s” toddler scrawlings on it.