What was the old white building in Riverside?

[deathstar]

Was it a hospital? The one that was torn down sometime in the 80's or 90's? I can't remember too much about it, but was wondering about the history of it.

[billy]

are you talking about the hospital St. Vincent's owned,
that Sembler redeveloped into Publix, etc.?

[deathstar]

Could possibly be? I don't really know the specifics of where it was, the name of it, what it was, etc.. I just remember it being white, old, and had many levels. Not much help, am I? lol

[billy]

This was a 1960's vintage patient tower.

[deathstar]

Far out. How many floors was it? Hopefully someone will see this and post some history or pictures, I dig stuff like that.

[billy]

not sre
8-10 floors?

[grimss]

If you're referring to the pierced-stucco-fronted building that used to be near the corner of Margaret and Riverside, at the opposite corner from Memorial Park, that was one of Riverside Hospital's modern expansions. The hospital tore down Klutho's first Prairie style house (the George Clark home, that I believe was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places) to construct the white not-so-historic building. It, in turn, was torn down to provide parking for Riverside's Market Square, which is where the Publix is now. Wayne Wood claims the hospital's demolition has made Klutho's ghost very happy.

I can never figure out how to post a picture, otherwise I'd put up the one I've got. (BTW, it was quite an ugly structure.)

[Dan B]

Grimms, completely off topic, but do you remember the story by the old TU historical writer (Bill Foley), when he wrote about City Hall moving into the St James building?

He actually suggested that Klutho may have haunted that buildings hall ways. Apparently Klutho was so proud of that building that he located his offices in it after it opened. Several years later, Cohen Bros wanted the dome closed off to make more room for shopping. Apparently Klutho was so pissed he immediately moved his offices from the building. He said that building was Kluthos biggest source of pride, and biggest disappointment.

He also spoke about how after the great fire, the Windsor bought the land that was later used for the St James (the site of the old St James Hotel) and used it for Dog and Pony shows...

Pretty fun little story's.

[deathstar]

There's so many stories and so much history in this town, hell yeah!