HAMMOND -- How ironic in our April issue from last year a story appeared about the Edward C. Minas Company. Now one year later in our April issue we are now writing a story on the demolition of this historic building.
Yes it’s true, the famed flagship store of Minas is now facing the wrecker’s ball, if it already hasn’t by the time this newsletter gets in the mail.
Plans are now underway to level the building for a new development. However a slight glimmer of hope remains to at least save the buildings historical façade. But once again time is a major factor. Although the building appears to have out lived its usefulness. The big question is. Can its façade at least be saved?
The structure has remained vacant ever since the store closed in mid to late 1984, despite several failed attempts to redevelop it. Now the former store which catered to generations of shoppers for over 90 years, is in a sorry state of disrepair. The one and only thing of any major value that remains is the store’s terra cotta façade.
Looks like we’ll need more than a few prayers to save this historically significant storefront façade, perhaps something in the order of a divine intervention is needed now.
Here’s a brief history on the building and the terra cotta façade itself. In 1910 the Minas Company purchased 75 feet of property east of his current over crowded store with plans to expand and construct the largest retail establishment in the city. This was on hold until the leases on the current two story brick store front expire in a little over a year’s time, which would then be demolished itself.
Details were finally made public in July of 1912 of the forth coming expansion of the store. Improvements and extensions at a cost of $100,000 would take place, making it the largest department store in the city and reportedly the state.
The building when complete would give State Street the finest store in the city. The newly enlarged store would cover 175 feet by 118 feet and total 81,200 square feet of floor space.
Hammond architects Bump & Berry designed plans for the remodeling and expansion of the building. The Minas retail establishment is comprised of three floors and a basement. The front of the building is covered with a gray terra cotta facing brick
Here’s another interesting little historical note. It was reported on October, 28, 1912 that famed architect A. C. Berry of Hammond was successful in his attempt to build a marquise out of terra cotta material. Two of them are located over the entrances of the Minas store.
Mr. Berry had devised an original idea of hanging the terra cotta on a lighter steel or iron truss. His way made then marquise much more attractive and about $200 cheaper.
The old way was to make the entire marquise out of cast iron, which was much more heavier and costly. The terra cotta manufacturers were very hesitant in constructing it, saying that is wasn’t practical. But Mr. Berry proved them wrong. In fact now that Berry’s little invention was so successful. One terra cotta firm had planned to take pictures of the new terra cotta design and feature it in their next catalog.
So this somewhat forgotten wall of fired clay, the terra cotta façade of the Edward C. Minas Company can still claim some deep dark secrets from its storied past.
The terra cotta marquises above the entryways were the first ones ever to be made, it was thought at that time.
The photo above shows us the installation of the new Edward C. Minas Company façade during the company’s renovation and expansion of the store in 1913. Soon this building will be all but a memory. With some luck and determination it’s historical façade will remain preserved.