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Grove Ave 
at Nite.
North on Grove
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Greetings From Elgin
Greetings From Elgin (1975)

North on Grove Ave. 
From F. W. Woolworth's

While the postcard company titled this card, simply as "North on Grove Ave", it has a much richer legacy than the title would indicate.

The large 5 story building in this postcard is The Burritt Memorial Building, named after Peter J. Burritt, the son of Benjamin Burritt, one of the city's founders.  Peter Burritt owned a farm in Hanover Township.  However, his fame and fortune did not stop there; additionally, he invested in The Elgin National Watch Company as well as The Home National Bank and other businesses in the city.  Other building constructions included The Henrietta, a building around the corner from the Burritt Building.  The Henrietta would house The Theo Swan Department Store for many years.  He also had four cottages built on Grove Avenue, which he used as rental property.  

In 1914, The Burritt Memorial Building was nearly completed.  With a price tag of $100,000, it was said to be "...the most costly and beautiful structure..." in town.   Local legend maintains that Burritt stipulated the building be built in his will, and that his wife Rebecca McBride Burritt oversaw its construction.  

F. W. Woolworth's occupied the entire first floor for many years.  However, the upper floors were never completed nor occupied.  In 1992, the building was purchased by Frank Halsey, who was said to spend $1 million to complete the building.  He maintained that once he finished the building, there would be over 34,000 square feet of rentable space and that his pay back would be swift.  

         

 
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