Lot 13040: Kurz -Railroad Depot; M. S. & N. I. & C. & Pc. R.R. DEP

About the image:

"This imposing building was commenced on the 16th of April, 1866, and is now completed. It is of the Franco-Italian style. The building measures 542 feet by 160 feet; these measurements are exclusive of the outside platforms from which are under the general roof-the total width being 180 feet. The central or great roof over the tracks is 132 feet span; the side platforms are 27 feet wide, and the central one 16 feet. There are three tracks for departing trains, and two for trains arriving. The height of the roof is 60 feet from the platforms... "

"Each of the several [railroad] companies using this depot has its baggage rooms, oil and lamp rooms, conductors room, and large waiting apartments for ladies and gentlemen. There are rooms, also, for second class passengers, and emigrants, provided with all conveniences." (from James W. Sheahan's original text in Chicago Illustrated).

About the work:


This hand-colored lithograph is from Louis Kurz's Chicago Illustrated: 1830-1866. The work was published in Chicago by Jevne & Almini in 1866. It was a suberb series of views of pre-Great Fire Chicago. Because of the devastating fire of 1871, these views turned out to be particularly important historically.

"In 1863, Mr. Uranus H. Crosby, of Chicago, a gentleman of means and of great enterprise, conceived the idea of building in this city an edifice of this kind, which, while designed to be of personal profit to its projector, should also be a credit and an ornament to the city, and give stability to the growing interest of the fine arts. Filled with this most honorable ambition, he, in company with W. W. Boyington, Esq., an architect of Chicago, visited the other cities of the country, examining with care all the buildings erected for like purposes, profiting alike by the practical excellencies and the practical defects which they witnessed. The results of this careful and deliberate examination was the plan of the present building, which, without exception, is generally acknowledged the best designed structure of the kind in America." [from the original text].

Provenance: Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Americana Collection.

Mat Size ~ 19 1/2" by 16 1/2"; Paper Size ~ 14 3/4" by 11 1/2"

Hand-colored Lithograph

1866

Overall Very Good. There are a few light marks to the edges. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact with any questions.

Chicago Illustrated: 1830-1866