There’s nothing quite like visiting the places of our ancestors. To be able to visit the hotel Victor built, walk the same hallways (even if they don’t look the same), and soak up the vibe of the place must be a magical experience. I’m so glad you were able to do that… and share the experience with us!
Thank you! Yes, it was quite an experience and helped me get a much better perspective on the size of his work. Incredible that a building of that size could be put up so quickly.
Another fascinating story Andrea! Were you able to unearth what compromise Victor and the workers reached that convinced them to return to work? And I’m curious when and why the name changed to The Congress Hotel - or maybe I missed that bit of detail? It will be so great for you to stay there! No ghosts though, I hope.
When I stay there, I hope you'll be in Chicago at the same time. You'll be the first to know one way or another.
The name changed because the Congress Hotel Company which owned the building wanted to give it a new name connected to the company. This happened in 1906. Not much changes over decades, right?
What a thrill to be there. Your great-grandfather was living during an incredibly interesting time in our country’s history. I was fascinated by the comment about the unions complaining about importing marble from Italy vs. Tennessee- today, slap a tariff on that marble!
He did live in an amazing time. I'm grateful to be revisiting it. Marble also came from Vermont of all places. Right! Solution to everything -- knock 'em with a tariff!
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.
Having read "Devil in the White City," it was quite interesting to watch Victor preparing for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It's sad that more of the Annex's rich interior has not been preserved, as I am sure it was worthy of posterity—and would be beautiful to behold.
It is a shame that so much of the original Annex and so many other beautiful buildings in Chicago and elsewhere have been demolished. I often wonder what buildings of today will people in a hundred years look back on admire. I wonder the same about music. Which composers or musicians of today will equal the classical masters, the Beatles, or Frank Sinatra?
How wonderful to place the history you know within the walls of the buildings he constructed! You have managed to convey so much detail very effectively, going back and forth in time. Bravo!
Thank you, Jolene. When I'm in Chicago in October, I hope to stay in the Congress Hotel for a night or two to see if Scarface or better yet Victor walks the hallways. That would be worth it!
Hope all well with you and you find yourself back to your regular self.
Andrea thank you for a wonderful description of Victor’s challenges and accomplishments in constructing the Auditorium Annex. I felt like I was walking through those halls with both Victor and you. Loved the pictures to and original hand drawn sketches.
Love the stories about the strikes amid the push to finish the building. Nice tension-building. Your descriptions are great. Thanks for sharing your great-grandfather and Chicago history with us.
There’s nothing quite like visiting the places of our ancestors. To be able to visit the hotel Victor built, walk the same hallways (even if they don’t look the same), and soak up the vibe of the place must be a magical experience. I’m so glad you were able to do that… and share the experience with us!
Thank you! Yes, it was quite an experience and helped me get a much better perspective on the size of his work. Incredible that a building of that size could be put up so quickly.
Another fascinating story Andrea! Were you able to unearth what compromise Victor and the workers reached that convinced them to return to work? And I’m curious when and why the name changed to The Congress Hotel - or maybe I missed that bit of detail? It will be so great for you to stay there! No ghosts though, I hope.
Thanks!
When I stay there, I hope you'll be in Chicago at the same time. You'll be the first to know one way or another.
The name changed because the Congress Hotel Company which owned the building wanted to give it a new name connected to the company. This happened in 1906. Not much changes over decades, right?
What a thrill to be there. Your great-grandfather was living during an incredibly interesting time in our country’s history. I was fascinated by the comment about the unions complaining about importing marble from Italy vs. Tennessee- today, slap a tariff on that marble!
He did live in an amazing time. I'm grateful to be revisiting it. Marble also came from Vermont of all places. Right! Solution to everything -- knock 'em with a tariff!
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.
Great history lesson made easy! Glad you’re going to get a chance to stay there and get the ‘spirit’ of the place (pun intended!)
Oh very funny! Leave it to you! Thanks so much for reading given everything you are about to do!
Having read "Devil in the White City," it was quite interesting to watch Victor preparing for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It's sad that more of the Annex's rich interior has not been preserved, as I am sure it was worthy of posterity—and would be beautiful to behold.
It is a shame that so much of the original Annex and so many other beautiful buildings in Chicago and elsewhere have been demolished. I often wonder what buildings of today will people in a hundred years look back on admire. I wonder the same about music. Which composers or musicians of today will equal the classical masters, the Beatles, or Frank Sinatra?
Thanks as ever for reading and your comments.
How wonderful to place the history you know within the walls of the buildings he constructed! You have managed to convey so much detail very effectively, going back and forth in time. Bravo!
It truly was a thrill. And fun. Thank you for your "craft" comments too. Much appreciated.
Love this, Andrea!
Thank you, Jolene. When I'm in Chicago in October, I hope to stay in the Congress Hotel for a night or two to see if Scarface or better yet Victor walks the hallways. That would be worth it!
Hope all well with you and you find yourself back to your regular self.
Andrea thank you for a wonderful description of Victor’s challenges and accomplishments in constructing the Auditorium Annex. I felt like I was walking through those halls with both Victor and you. Loved the pictures to and original hand drawn sketches.
Thank you, LLL! I appreciate your kind comments, especially that you felt you were walking the halls with V and me. Music to my ears.
Love the stories about the strikes amid the push to finish the building. Nice tension-building. Your descriptions are great. Thanks for sharing your great-grandfather and Chicago history with us.
Thank you, Rachel. I really appreciate that fact you read it and that you made such helpful craft-related comments. Pleased to hear all of that.
Fascinating history Andrea! I can imagine the excitement you felt walking on the floor tread by generations before.
Exactly, Brian! Even though nothing noticeable inside of Victor's creation remained, I got a clearer understanding of the monstrosity of that place.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.