DANIEL BURNHAM. Not a Clue.

I'll admit it. 

Imagining internationally known architect Daniel Burnham..... chasing cutting-edge astronomer George Ellery Hale..... on the shores of turn-of-the-century Lake Geneva .....for a potential Architectural commission in Pasadena..... (for the Wilson Observatory, no less).... sent me "back to the books."  To reorganize what I know and find out what I don't. 

The results surprised even me: We know surprisingly little of Daniel Burnham.  (In the City that invented architecture)   Even the basics.  A complete list of commissions would be a nice start.  ((I learned of the "Stewart" not from Hines'  authoritative "Burnham," but from T W Leslie's "ArchitectureFarm")).  Which buildings were built. (Which were not) Their date.  The address (not too much to ask).  Which buildings are extant. Golleee.  Maybe a little about each one. The clients. A picture. A drawing.  Credits as to design and staff.  What we have is conflicting information and second hand opinion reprinted as fact.  (Trust me).

I have blogged every Burnham Building that remains in Chicago's LOOP -- starting with what I know and adding to that.  (Most Burnham builidngs are not landmarked and have been "updated" with critical components removed).  And, of course, except for that once...... I have been polite.

But it seems that it is time for a change in strategy -- to really understand Daniel Burnham.  Going outside the LOOP.  Starting with what we don't know.  More Burnhams have been destroyed than remain. The list below is a partial compilation of downtown Chicago's "lost" Burnhams --demolished -- and for the most part removed from memory.   

Merchant's Loan and Trust

Adams Street at Clark

First National Bank of Chicago

Monroe Street at Dearborn

Goddard Building

Monroe Street at Wabash

Hill Building

West Van Buren

Society Brand Building

416 South Franklin

Stewart Building

108 North State Street

Art Institute of Chicago

Van Buren Street at Michigan Avenue

Rialto Building

Van Buren Street

Calumet Building

111 South LaSalle

Rand McNally Building

La Salle at Adams

Central Market

State Street at Market

Chicago Herald

158 West Washington

Chicago Daily News

Grannis Building

North Dearborn Street

Montauk

115 West Monroe Street

Phenix

111 West Jackson Boulevard

Keersarge Building

Jackson and Dearborn

Ashland Block

Clark Street at Randolph

Masonic Temple

State Street at Randolph

Women's Temple

LaSalle Street at Monroe

Majestic Hotel

Quincy Street at Dearborn

Peacock Cafe

114 West Madison Street

Great Northern

20 West Jackson Boulevard

Now.  How to begin?  NOT A CLUE.  But I've been told that its " in the details."

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