25 Aug george grant elmslie’s four story prairie style keystone commercial building (1922): one of five elmslie commissions executed in downtown aurora

detail photographic survey of george grant elmslie’s four story prairie style keystone commercial building (1922), located at 30 south stolp avenue, aurora, il.

the keystone building was elmslie’s first commission after the dissolution of his partnership with william gray purcell of purcell and elmslie (1913-1921) was finalized the same year.

the polychromed terra cotta (note the richly colored cobalt blue and canary yellow accents) was executed by the american terra cotta company, located in crystal lake, il. the ornament was modeled by sculptor kristian schneider.

four additional elmslie-designed buildings were constructed in the city of aurora, il. between 1922-1928.

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bld. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2025.