21 Jun recycled terra cotta ornament from parker berry’s non-extant interstate national bank (1917-18)
detailed images of sullivanesque style reddish-brown slip glazed terra cotta from parker berry’s non-extant interstate national bank (1917-18) located at 13310 baltimore avenue (hegewish community on chicago’s southwest side).
the existing two-story brick building incorporated terra cotta ornament from the bank building’s façade during its demolition in the 1930s.
a unique feature of the bank building’s interior was a polychromed terra cotta drinking fountain designed by berry (shares similar design characteristics with louis sullivan’s drinking fountain in the farmers’ and merchants’ bank (1918) located in columbus, wisc.
according to his wife, berry was proud of the fountain, which he considered both artistic and utilitarian. like most of the bank building – both exterior and interior – it was likely destroyed or lost during demolition.
the terra cotta was likely executed by either the american or midland terra cotta company, chicago, ills.
images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved.
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