Such a bleak and somber building, but I appreciate that the architect/builder made the building fit in more or less with the apartment buildings along Kenmore and Montrose. Or am I imagining that?
I was there when it went up. Started as a small fire but within minutes the structure was engulfed. Funny though, the CTA just had an estimate of the cost for tearing it down 2 months prior to the fire. Teh estimate was quite high. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?????????
We came across a great photo showing the now infamous Wilson Yard in February 1968. (photo: flickr, davidwilson1949)
Great picture, it was quite a sight when Wilson Yard was on fire.
ReplyDeleteWas there ever a cause given for the fire or was it an unexplained "friction fire?"
ReplyDeleteSuch a bleak and somber building, but I appreciate that the architect/builder made the building fit in more or less with the apartment buildings along Kenmore and Montrose. Or am I imagining that?
ReplyDeleteBuena Boy,
ReplyDeleteit never occurred to me, but the building did fit the style of many neighborhood buildings.
The fire was quite a site. The sky was lit up for miles. The EL was shut down between Wilson and Sheridan for a few days also.
I don't recall any official cause of the fire. Arson? Friction? Unknown?
I was there when it went up. Started as a small fire but within minutes the structure was engulfed. Funny though, the CTA just had an estimate of the cost for tearing it down 2 months prior to the fire. Teh estimate was quite high. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?????????
ReplyDelete