The brickwork and terra-cotta details mark it as being a part of the Prairie style. Its clock tower is one of the most distinguishing features of its structure. "The building was originally built as a food processing company and warehouse, and where the clock now stands there used to be signs that said 'Finer Foods'("Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building," Chicagolist, 2005). The clock tower was originally included as part of a water tower that supplied the sprinkler system in the building for safety purposes. In 1915 an ocean liner crashed and killed 812 people across the river from the building. Because of its size, the building was used as a temporary hospital and morgue. Because of this some people say that it is haunted, and that you can still hear the shrieks of people dying inside ("Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building," Chicagolist, 2005). In 1955, the city of Chicago bought the Reid Murdoch building to use as municipal traffic court, to house the State Attorney Office, "and for several other city departments" ("Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building, Chicagolist, 2005). It was used as traffic court until 1998. Today...

The varied history of the building highlights its functionality and expanse. It has proved adaptable, not only as a warehouse and a place for the city government to dispense justice, but also to help people in times of need. Even people who do not believe that the building is haunted enjoy looking at the river from atop the building, enjoy looking at the large clock tower that is both beautiful and functional in the Frank Lloyd Wright spirit, and may even dine at the scenic waterfront restaurant on the first floor.
Works Cited

Prairie School Tour." City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development,

Landmarks Division. 2003. 6 May 2007. http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/Tours/PrairieSchool.html

Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building." City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Landmarks Division. 2003. 6 May 2007. http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/R/ReidMurdoch.html

Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building." 2005. Chicagolist. 6 May 2007. http://www.rachelleb.com/2005/11/post_24.html