A Bit of Chicago History in Rockford, Illinois

In 1993, Jim Vitale opened the Cliffbreakers Restaurant in Rockford, Illinois.  Four years later, he opened the adjacent hotel.  One of the distinguishing features of the establishment was Vitale’s extensive collection of antiques and architectural fragments from around the world, including several from Chicago.  Although Vitale sold the business in 2006, and some of the pieces have been sold off, many remain, making it worth a visit for those interested in seeing pieces of Chicago’s history.  Below is a summary of the pieces with a Chicago connection.  The descriptions are taken directly from a brochure acquired at the hotel in 2009 (no longer available).

Crane Company Building

836 S. Michigan Avenue

Holabird & Roche, architects

1913

“These massive 10-foot bronze doors weight 750 pounds each and were the original entry doors to the famous Crane building in Chicago.”

Corn Exchange Bank Building (demolished)

122-136 S. LaSalle Street

Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, architects

1908

“This magnificent window was discovered above a plaster ceiling during the demolition of the Chicago Corn Exchange at LaSalle and Adams Streets.  It contains over 7,000 pieces of leaded glass.  An amazing stroke of luck for Cliffbreakers!”

Germania Club

108 W. Germania Place (at Clark St.)

Addison & Fiedler, architects

1888-1889

“These massive oak beams on the ceiling of the lobby, the hanging bronze light fixtures, along with the balcony railing and registration desk came from the old Germania Club in Chicago.  This was a private men’s club until its closing in the late 50s.  The 50-foot carved oak grand wall with leaded windows was the original entry to the Club.”

Continental Bank (demolished)

208 S. LaSalle Street

Burnham & Root, architects

1885

 “These two canvasses flanking either side of the lobby are 8 feet high and 27 feet long.  They were painted by American artist George Marshall for the famous Continental Bank of Chicago, at the turn of the century.  One features pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock; the second, a hillside view of Florence in the springtime.”

Standard Club

320 S. Plymouth Court

Albert Kahn, architect

1926

“These magnificent bronze chandeliers once hung in the Standard Club in Chicago.”

Edith Rockefeller McCormick Mansion (demolished)

1000 N. Lake Shore Drive

Solon S. Beman, architect

1888

Note:  The house was built for Nathaniel S. Jones and purchased by John D. Rockefeller in 1895 and presented to his daughter as a gift

“A pair of glazed terra cotta lions in superior condition.  From the original McCormick Mansion torn down in 1953.”  (The lions have recently been painted white, the earlier photo dates from 2009).