art deco style cast bronze elevator signal lanterns salvaged from the foreman-state national bank

a sizable collection of all original illuminated interior wall-mount lobby bronze meta elevator "signal lanterns" or indicators were salvaged from the historically important, towering 38-story graham, anderson, probst, white-designed foreman-national bank building during a nearly completed overhaul of the "lasalle canyon" skyscraper's interior.

the extant foreman state national bank building is composed of a 38-story central tower, flanked by two 22-story sections. the building’s five story base is clad in gray granite and the floors above are of indiana limestone with dark-colored, ornamental terra cotta spandrels. the facades are detailed with low-relief, art deco ornament and verticality is enhanced through recessed windows and spandrels between uninterrupted piers. the building’s main entrance is located on lasalle street and is marked with a towering four-story entrance. the building replaced the chamber of commerce building, which was acquired by the foreman national bank in 1925. the state bank of chicago occupied the main floor of the chamber of commerce building and a merger between these two banks created the foreman state national bank. the bank building was completed in 1929, but was liquidated shortly after in 1931, when it was merged into first national bank. the vacancy left in the building was briefly occupied by the straus national bank and trust company until it closed only a few years later. in 1933, the building's name was changed when the american national bank and trust leased the space. during the building's lifespan, the only noted alterations consisted of exterior window replacement. prior to its latest facelift, the building's appearance - both inside and out - retained most of its original architectural ornament.

fortunately, the distinctive first floor lobby, with its art deco "machine age" architectural ornament (e.g., bronze directory) was amazingly restored , but the upper floors were heavily modified to deliver "customized floor plates" to prospective business tenants. consequently, original architectural elements above the lobby and well into the upper reaches of the building were removed and ultimately discarded, if they could not somehow be reincorporated into the building's new face-lift.

the heavy bronze metal multi-faceted illuminated "lanterns" are amazingly intact, with the pressed frosted white and ruby red glass indicator arrows tightly secured in their housings and free from damage. the thick deeply embossed arrow panels were likely fabricated by the kopp glass company, pittsburgh, pa. the very simple and sleek panels (two variations available) retain the original, nicely aged two-tone surface patina. the diminutive sockets and mounting brackets were removed with the elevator indicator lights. the exact fabricator is not known, but the chicago elevator supply company provided "lanterns" similar to these fixtures during the "roaring twenties."

i'm thankful to know that there are several elevator serviceman out there who cannot see this older equipment get scrapped when either having to service and/or replace outdated elevator systems within buildings like the foreman national bank. the street level lobbies in older buildings are typically restored to their original granduer - either through restoration or replication, but the upper floors - which are less visible/accessible to the public are more vulnerable to extensive alterations. frankly, i'm just terribly disappointed that these elements continue to be scrapped in this day and age.