a remarkable find.

earlier this week i visited a chicago landmark building that was undergoing interior renovation - presumably for conversion into yet another "boutique" hotel. the preservationists appointed by the city were there to recommend what should be left intact in order to preserve what remained of the building's interior historic integrity - despite a remodeling in the 1940's, where all bronze and brass ornamental fittings likely fell victim to the scrap drive during the war effort.

after an extensive tour, it looks like a number of nice mahogany wood office doors, molding and monogrammed doorknobs will become available shortly before interior demolition commences in the next month or so.

what made this potential salvage remarkable, was the discovery of a completely intact and well-preserved gargantuan switchboard installed in 1915 by the cuthbert electrical mfg. company.  the board contains a wall of interconnected slate panels, watt and voltmeters, knife switches and so on.

being an avid collector and amateur historian of antiquated electrical equipment specifically designed and built for electrifying  buildings means this profound discovery has to somehow be turned into a situation where i can buy the entire unit, disassemble it on site, then reassemble it in our facility for others to appreciate - because at the end of the day, how many of you get the chance to wonder around the sub-basements of old historic buildings?

since the switchboard was sidelined years ago, it has been sitting there waiting patiently to be acknowledged by individuals who will appreciate the artistry behind the various devices that kept this hulk of a building illuminated and climate-controlled (among other things) for several decades.

if i play my cards right, i may very well - in the near future - be admiring a completely reassembled switchboard prominently displayed at urban remains.