demolition of buildings housing vincent formusa's italian import business through sequential photography

the following collection of images offers a small visual record of the painstakingly slow eradication of two adjoining late 19th century multi-story masonry chicago buildings that housed vincent formusa's italian import business (see above) since 1898.

the discovery and subsequent documentation of the building's hidden upper-story "time capsule" during its deconstruction inspired me to reach out to formusa's family members to return "lost" photographs and correspondences that held significant meaning to them.

while there was some gratification in saving a bit of history that otherwise would have been discarded, i'm still deeply saddened that these 19th century buildings have been erased from the cityscape. in additon to these images (and many more stuffed away in folders),  i did manage to secure any and all the original exterior i-beam tie-rod or anchor plates (likely fabricated by the dearborn foundry company, chicago, ills.) from the wrecker.

in addition, a partial excavation lead to hundreds of early 20th century bottles being discovered - likely left behind by the occupants who boarded with the formusa family in adjoining rooms and/or floors above his shop beginning around 1900.

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