oldest fully functional elevators servicing solon s. beman's fine arts building (1898) will be systematically removed in coming years

please don’t rip me out.

recent photographic survey of the original, custom-designed copper-plated ornamental cast iron interior elevator doors, surrounds, cabs, up/down illuminated lanterns, and oversized push-button call boxes installed during the transformation of solon s. beman’s studebaker carriage depository building (1885) into the fine arts building in 1898 (the subsequent floor additions and extensive alterations were also carried out by beman).

the ornamental iron work was likely fabricated by the winslow brothers foundry, chicago, ills. the armstrong  electric signals, lanterns, and mechanical floor indicators were supplied by the elevator supply and repair company, chicago, ills.

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2023.