Are They Holiday Cherubs or Everyday Cherubs?

In the spirit of giving, we’re happy to announce that one of our readers identified this month’s mystery photo right away. The cherubs in question adorn terra-cotta panels on the Fisher Building, located on South Dearborn Street in the Loop.


Originally designed by Charles Atwood, the building was completed by Chicago’s D. H. Burnham & Co. in 1896. The aquatic-themed façade plays on the name of the building's original owner, Lucius G. Fisher. Light, airy, and highly ornamented with fantastic beasts and sea creatures, the Fisher makes quite a contrast with the dark, solid, Monadnock Building, which directly faces it across Dearborn.

I originally intended to document the Monadnock, but due to lighting conditions and sight angles, I picked the Fisher Building instead. As it turns out, this was a good choice, as fanciful cherubs are much more suitable for our holiday theme!

If you would like to visit the building, you'll find it at 343 South Dearborn. Be sure to check out the ornamental glass door panels while you're there. And to see who won December's prize--a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate--take a look at the STC Chicago website.