1927-29 Chicago Stadium Architectural Prints
By: Hall, Lawrence &; Ratcliffe, Inc.,
Date: 1927-29 (dated) Chicago, IL
Dimensions: 40 x 52 inches (102 x 132 cm)
A unique archive of 13 architectural prints from the original plans of the Old Chicago Stadium, by the Chicago-based architecture firm of Hall, Lawrence & Ratcliffe, Inc. These prints would have been utilized by various companies, work crews, and contractors involved with the Old Chicago Stadium. There are no other known examples of these prints in any institutions and only one other print has come on the market, which was from this collection and sold by Hindman Auctions.
A Little History of the Old Chicago Stadium
The Old Chicago Stadium, also known simply as Chicago Stadium, was an iconic indoor arena located on West Madison Street in Chicago, Illinois. Constructed in 1929 and completed in 1929-1930, it is primarily remembered as the home of the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) and Chicago Bulls (NBA). Bobby Hull and Stan Makita were the first major stars to consistently pack the stadium to its capacity in the 1950s. Michael Jordan was probably the greatest attraction the stadium had ever seen, winning three championships there and preforming his iconic free throw link dunk before the two teams moved into the United Center in 1995.
Aside from the Hawks and Bulls, the Chicago Stadium hosted as wide range of events that include six-day bike races, the Hollywood Ice Review featuring the legendary figure skater Barbara Ann Scott, Wrestling and Boxing matches that includes the likes of Gorgeous George, Andre the Giant, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey, and Muhamad Ali. There were also a variety of circuses, botanical shows, rodeos, dog and horse shows, and political conventions that include the 1932 and 1944 Democratic Conventions for Franklin D. Roosevelt and the 1952 Republican Convention that nominated Dwight D. Eisenhower.
One day, early in the stadium's history there was an instance in December, 1932, where due to inclement weather a bad turf conditions at Wrigley Field (home of the Bears before Soldier Field), the Chicago Bears played the Portsmouth Spartans (now Detroit Lions) for the NFL Championship game within the confines of the Chicago Stadium. Tons of dirt was trucked into the arena and the two teams played on an 80 yard field in which the Bears came out victorious. This was the first instance of a professional football game being played indoors. Another football game would not be played indoors until the Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chief played an AFL game in the newly constructed Astrodome.
From 1929 to 1934, the Chicago Stadium was the city's answer to Madison Square Garden in New York. For a blue collar city that had experienced nearly a century exponential growth, it was exactly what was needed. There were no VIP sections, every seat was a good seat, and just about anyone who wanted to attend an event could afford to do so no matter their race or financial situation. The stadium was an iconic fixture of Chicago for its architectural design and the history it over the 65 years of continual, year-round operation.
Construction and Funding
The Chicago Stadium was funded and developed by a businessman named Patrick H. "Paddy" Harmon, who initially intended the venue for hosting hockey games. Harmon had a vision of creating a world-class arena in Chicago, but he lacked the resources to finance it alone. With a projected cost of about $9.5 million (about $170 million today) Harmon's financing nearly fell through many times. However, he eventually secured the financial means and began the building process. The stadium's construction began in 1928, and in just six months it was completed (unheard of today) and officially opened on March 28, 1929.
While the stadium could hold 20,000 people and about 7,000 more during boxing matches, Harmon had difficult breaking an average attendance of about 14,000. His timing could not have been worse as the country was also entering the onset of the Great Depression. Harmon would eventually partner with James E. Norris, a wealthy businessman and future owner of the Detroit Red Wings, and Arthur Wirtz (promoter and future owner of the Blackhawks) who provided additional funding and brought in the wide array of attractions previously discussed to continually bring people into the stadium throughout the Great Depression and thereafter.
Design and Architecture of the Old Chicago Stadium
Chicago Stadium’s architecture was groundbreaking for its time. The building’s design was a blend of classic Art Deco, with elements of Neo-Classicalism, featuring smooth surfaces, geometric shapes, and intricate detailing throughout. Its most notable feature was its size and scale—when it was built, it was the largest indoor arena in the world. The arena included a unique horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement, which ensured that the crowds were close to the action, creating an incredibly intimate and intense atmosphere. The use of steel beams to span the entire structure without obstructing views was a significant architectural achievement for arenas at the time.
The design of the Old Chicago Stadium is typically attributed to the architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, a leading architectural firms in Chicago at the time and had previously worked on iconic buildings Chicago such as the Merchandise Mart and the Wrigley Building. However, they were not the only firm involved in the design style and innovative breakthroughs of the Old Chicago Stadium as supported by this rare archive of architectural prints.
These prints originate from the architecture firm of Hall, Lawrence & Ratcliffe, Inc., a prominent architectural firm based in Chicago, Illinois, known for its contributions to large-scale public and commercial buildings. The firm was founded and led by Eric Edwin Hall, an American architect of Swedish descent, who had established a solid reputation through his work as the County Architect for Cook County, Illinois. The firm was reorganized in 1925 under its known name and became responsible for several major projects in the Chicago area, most notably Old Chicago Stadium.
Acoustics of the Madhouse on Madison
Chicago Stadium was infamous for its extremely loud acoustics. The design amplified sound within the structure, making it one of the noisiest arenas, especially during Blackhawks games Another standout feature that bolstered the exuberance of the crowds was its famous Barton organ, the largest theatre pipe organ in the world at the time. The organ's powerful, booming sound became a trademark during sporting events. The following in a excerpt from a Chicago Tribune Article published March 29, 1929.
Unique in respect to being the world’s largest is the Stadium organ, in volume of sound the equivalent of twenty-five bands of 100 instruments each, or 2,500 orchestral pieces. The great organ plays simultaneously 40 harmonizing snare drums, 16 viohorns, 12 saxophones, 4 bass drums, 12 flutes, 9 clarinets, 6 trumpets, 7 French horns. More than 240 feet of pipes and 5,000 feet of wire have gone into its making. The range of controlled sound runs all the way from a bird note to a thunder storm, but its full power never has been tested. On several experimental occasions, its vibrations have shattered electric light bulbs. Source
Between the ingenious acoustic design of Chicago Stadium, its seating capacity of roughly 25,000 people, an organ system unlike any other on Earth and the variety of ruckus sporting events, political conventions, and concerts, it's no wonder the Old Chicago Stadium earned the nickname "the Madhouse on Madison."
Innovative Cooling and Ventilation System
Another innovative feature of Chicago Stadium was that it was among the first indoor arenas to have an air conditioning system. This was a significant technological achievement, as it made one of the few large venues where fans attending events during the hot summer months did not "sweat it out."
Instead of just blowing air around the venue, which was common in large buildings at the time, the cooling system was equipped to lower the temperature to a more manageable level. It relied on chilled water coils that could cool the air before it was distributed throughout the stadium. Large fans would then circulate the cooler air into the seating areas, creating a more comfortable environment for the thousands of spectators in attendance.
In addition to the mechanical cooling system, the design of the stadium itself supported natural air flow. The architectural team employed techniques to optimize the flow of air through the venue. The concourses and ventilation ducts were designed to draw fresh air from the outside, allowing it to circulate throughout the building and then exit through strategically placed exhausts. This combination of natural ventilation and mechanical cooling was a cutting-edge feature for the time.
Examining the Architectural Prints
From the Basement to the Attic
Sheets 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 detail the architectural makeup of the Old Chicago Stadium from by level in the following order, basement, meanine foyer, meanine balcony, balcony, gallery and the attic.
The basement plan includes much of the necessary infrastructure such as utility rooms, a room for coal, an ice melting tank, service corridors, mechanical rooms, a kitchen and two dressing rooms, with Dressing Room #1 for the home team being much larger than dressing room #2. There’s a section in the center labeled "Not Excavated," likely indicating areas under the arena floor that were not dug out during the construction phase. This is likely where the cooling system for the ice would later be installed.
Sheets 2 - 6 display the seating arrangements and the structural framework surrounding the arena floor. The tiers of seats are marked in arcs around the central arena space. Detailed labels and measurements are included to show the capacity and orientation of the seats, as well as the size and positioning of various utility rooms, such as restrooms or concession areas, around the perimeter. Entrances, staircases, and important circulation spaces are also rendered in fine detail. The plans include specifics like door jambs and the layout of wooden doors, indicating the type of materials used in this level’s construction. Each section is annotated with construction notes and material specifications, including details about access points for the public and service staff.
Sheet 7, titled "Attic Plan," outlines spaces above the main seating and arena areas, which housed important mechanical systems used to support the building's operations.
The central area of the sheet shows labeled rooms such as fan rooms, duct shafts, operation platforms, and control panels. These rooms supported the stadium’s ventilation, cooling systems, as well as the pipes and mechanics for the Barton organ, which was to the delight of the original investors as it would not take away from potential seating revenue.
Cross Sectional Interior Views
Sheets 10 and 11 present the stadium in a striking fashions as the cross sectional views give one the sense of what it would look like if they were themselves seated in the historic building. These cross-sections reveal the seating tiers, roof structure, and support systems, giving insight into how the seating levels (balconies) were arranged around the arena. The gallery seating section is clearly visible in multiple tiers, as well as the positioning of the steel girders that supported the roof. Above the windows appear the letter "H" which is likely in honor of the buildings original founder Patrick H. "Paddy" Harmon.
The sheets include detailed measurements of walls, beams, and floors, giving an indication of the structural load distribution. The use of steel trusses and large support beams is emphasized, typical of early 20th-century stadium architecture. Additional sections indicate specific staircases, hallways, and access routes leading from the ground level to the higher balconies. The upper part of these prints show detailed elevations of different rooms and hallways on various levels of the building, focusing on the rooms behind the seating, corridors, and entrances to the stadium.
Exterior Design and Sculptural Reliefs
Sheets 12 and 13 focus on the design style and construction materials for the exterior portions of the building. Sheets 12 and 13 stand out for the rendering of large sculptural reliefs featuring athletes in action such a boxers, runners, and general Olympians symbolizing the sporting events that would take place within the stadium. Sheet #13 includes a circular medallion with the goddess Victory from Greek and Roman mythology. The artwork is stylized in a classic form, with human figures shown in dynamic poses, creating a sense of movement and strength. This is typical of the Art Deco style, which emphasizes bold, geometric forms and human figures as part of a grand design scheme.
Additional Cross Sections and Support Systems
Sheets 14, 15 provide cross-sectional views from the exterior of the building into the stairways and corridors outside of the main arena as well as some cross sectional views of the balconies inside the arena. They include annotations and measurements to indicate the dimensions and positioning of key architectural components like support beams and balustrades. Large vertical windows used for lighting and ventilation are also prominent design elements of these plan.
Finally, sheet 16 illustrates anything and everything left out from the previous prints including details for specific parts of the building, such as boiler rooms, concessions, and balconies, renderings of the mechanical systems, such as the boiler, heating and ventilation ducts, and the roof with a cross-sectional rendering of the steal support beams and room ridges.
Condition: All prints are in A condition and have been professionally linen-backed for preservation and presentation purposes. Any holes, or tears that once existed along the margins of a few prints have been reinforced and filled to match the surrounding printed image.
Inventory #12756
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