Chicago’s Tribune Tower is filled with gargoyles of all types, buttresses, and filigree. For the most part these are a distance from the ground floor. There is a museum of historical wonder at ground level. Everyone can see it and it’s absolutely free of charge. These are the rocks of Tribune Tower.
How It All Begin
In 1920, the Chicago Tribune was looking for a new building to call home. Colonel Robert McCormick (1880-1955), the paper’s owner, decided to create an international competition for the design of the new building. The winning designer would receive a prize of $50,000. A neo gothic design created by architects John Meade Howells and Raymond M. Hood won the competition. Construction of Tribune Tower was completed in 1925. The building is located at 435 N. Michigan Avenue, just north of the Michigan Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River.
Origin of the Rocks
The story goes that Colonel McCormick was touring a cathedral in Ypres, France in 1941. He found a stone from the cathedral that was damaged by the Germans. He brought the stone back with him. Shortly after that he instructed all his reporters to bring back stones by “honorable means.” Questions concerning the honorable means used in the collection of some rocks still exists. The number of stones fluctuates but is now over 150.
The elements embedded in the lower façade of the building fall into one of three categories:
Rock
Rocks are just that—rocks. However their source makes them items of historical interest.
- The New Jersey rock from the Mesozoic period comes from Washington’s landing after crossing the Delaware River to launch a sneak attack on the British and Hessians.
- Marble from Mount Pentilicus Quarry was used in the Parthenon in 447 B.C.
- Sedimentary rock from the Badlands of South Dakota
- Sandstone rock from Anzio Beach in Italy
Stone
Stones, bricks or blocks from historical structures around the world.
- A piece of stone used in Hamlet’s Castle in Elsinore, Denmark has both historical and literary significance.
- A brick from Abraham Lincoln’s Home in Illinois
- A piece of the World Trade Center
- Granite used in building the Great Wall of China
Artifact
Artifacts are usually recognizable as functional or artistic elements of historical buildings and structures. Some artifacts are not part of buildings at all.
- Ornamental stone (human face) from the House of Parliament in London, England
- Stone ornamentation from the Palace of the German king Fredrick the Great
- Stone Cannon Ball from Pevensey Castle in East Sussex, England
More Rocks
With rocks spread around the façade of this huge building, tourists can spend hours marveling at the collection. Attempting to find the rock from a home state can be frustrating to say the least. An excellent location guide can be found at Tribune Tower 2005 Chicago. Each stone is located on a particular section of the building and a link to a photo is provided. In addition an explanation of Geographical and Historical significance of the item is presented. An interpretation of why the stone is a part of the Tower is also provided.
It appears as if the Tribune Tower rocks may became a significant "clue" in a past episode of CSI: NY when Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) comes to Chicago seeking a possible lead to the "333 stalker." Even Mr. Sinise "...had no idea that these things were on the building." This came after the actor shot several scenes looking at the artificats.
Every state in the United States and every continent is represented in this magnificent collection of world history. The building is open to the public and the façade is viewable at all times of the day or night. Any visitor to the downtown Chicago area (the Loop) should make time to visit this architectural wonder.
Architectural Reference
1922 Chicago Tribune Tower Contest
Gary Sinise searches for 'CSI: NY' clues in Chicago
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