Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Black Metropolis - Bronzeville Historic District - II

Continued from the above post..
Black Metropolis Distict - I .. click here


"The Great Migration" brought many musicians to Chicago from the south, from places like Mississippi, New Orleans and St. Louis. They brought their musical styles with them. Soon these style merged and a distinctive Chicago style emerged..Chicago Blues! During 1920's many music-oriented clubs and cafes opened in Chicago, like, Dreamland Cafe, Royal Garden, Elite Club and Sunset Cafe..



Sunset Cafe..
Address: 315 E. 35th St.
Year Built: 1909, 1921, 1937
Architects: Alfred Schartz, Sobel & Drielsma
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..
Following a 1921 remodeling, this simple automobile garage was transformed into one of the city's earliest and most legendary jazz venues. Its house orchestra featured such famed musicians as Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds, and Earl "Fatha" Hines, while its floor shows introduced the latest dances to local audiences. Many promising young artists, including Bix Beiderbecke, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa, got their start at late-night sessions here.
# For more.. click here..



Eighth Regiment Armory..
Address: 3533 S. Giles Ave.
Year Built: 1914-1915
Architect: James B. Dibelka
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998
This was the first armory in the United States built for an African-American military regiment. The "Fighting 8th" traces its roots to the formation of the volunteer Hannibal Guard militia in 1871. It later became a division of the Illinois National Guard and during World War I was incorporated into the 370th U.S. Infantry..
# For more.. click here..



Victory Monument..
Address: 35th Street and King Drive
Year Built: 1926, 1936
Architects: Leonard Crunelle,John A. Nyden..
This structure was erected to honor the meritorious achievements of the Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, an African-American unit that served in France during World War I as part of the 370th U.S. Infantry ..
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998.
# For more.. click here..



Supreme Life Building..
Address: 3501 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Year Built: 1921, remodeled 1950 and 2006
Architect: Albert Anis
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: September 9, 1998..
This was the longtime headquarters of the first African-American owned and operated insurance company in the northern United States. Founded in 1919 by Frank L. Gillespie (as the Liberty Life Insurance Company), the firm moved in 1921 into the second floor of this building, which had been constructed by the Roosevelt State Bank. Liberty Life bought the entire structure in 1924 and, in 1929, merged with two out-of-state firms to form the Supreme Life Insurance Company of America. In 1950, after becoming one of the few major businesses of "Black Metropolis" to survive the Great Depression, the company modernized the building by covering the original classical-style facade with porcelain-metal panels..
# For more.. click here..

For more..[Click on the link]
# Black Metropolis Distict-I ..
# Black Metropolis District-II..
# Black Metropolis Distict- III [Nine structures and beyond]..

References:
# Bronzeville: Encyclopedia of Chicago..
# Chicago's Black Metropolis..
# Chicago's Black Metropolis..

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