On Leong Chinese Merchants Association Building (1928) today’s Puitak Center
Two Roaring 20’s architects who would build you anything
Norwegian-Americans Christian S Michaelsen and Sigurd A Rognstad formed their architecture partnership in 1920. Until Rognstad’s death 17 years later the pair designed buildings all over Chicago in various styles (from Spanish Baroque to Prairie) often using terra cotta either to accentuate or to cover. Early, they did homes and storefront & flats on the outer parts of the city then in the mid-20’s two big areas of work came their way. They were hired by the city of Chicago to design 12 new buildings for parks on the west side and they became a preferred firm for the decision makers of Chicago’s growing new Chinatown. For a more detailed account, have a look at Chicago architecture historian Julia Bachrach’s great 2019 write up about them on her blog.
The map currently showcases 37 buildings associated with them. As more sources of that era became available I am sure I will find more to go with the ones I’m still looking into. So, as for all CBA maps, keep an eye out for updates. For interest, I have included the James Vanneta Home which Christian Michaelsen did before the M&R partnership, Wolcott Gardens which he did soon after Sigurd Rognstad’s death and two buildings he did in Chinatown with his firm Michaelsen, Rabig & Ramp even later. The map also includes a site that was torn down in 2024.
The markers include:
- Picture (34 of 37, to be updated)
- Building Year
- Notable past events w/ links to newspaper articles
- The building’s life at time of publication [I’m always happy to hear about changes]
Scrolling through the grid to the map you can:
- Select a picture to see it bigger
- Select the text to jump to the marker location on the map below.
Contact me for half or full day custom guided rides and gift certificates, or find this map with other points of interest on The Map to plan your own ride, run, or walk.
Sources: Julia Bacharach Consulting, American Contractor, Chicago Historical Resource Survey, Landmark District Reports, Chicago Sun-Times & Chicago Tribune (thru Chicago Public Library), Polk’s Chicago 1928 Directory (thru Chicago History Museum), 1927-1929 Report of the West Chicago parks on the $10,000,000 bond issue (Tomaz F. Deuther), architect icon by Icons8
