Overton Hygienic Building
The Overton Hygienic Building is a four-story bank building in Chicago designed by architect Z. Erol Smith and completed in 1922-1923. The structure features yellow-brown wire-cut bricks with white glazed terra cotta trim and a reinforced concrete frame with expandable shafts extending above the roof.
Built in 1922-1923 by Anthony Overton, a prominent African-American businessman, the structure served as headquarters for several of his ventures including the Overton Hygienic Company. Douglass National Bank, the first African-American bank to receive a national charter, was also housed here, marking a major step for financial independence in the community.
The building served as a gathering place for African-American professionals including doctors, lawyers, and architects who rented offices there to serve their communities. It stands as a symbol of economic self-determination and the drive of people to create their own spaces for growth and mutual support.
Located on South State Street in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville area, the building is easily accessible by public transportation. The interior is not open to the public, but the exterior architecture and historic signage are clearly visible from the street.
The building was designed with expandable shafts extending above the roof to allow for future expansions or changes, showing forward-thinking planning for potential growth. This structural feature was unusual for its time and demonstrates Overton's confidence in the long-term success of his ventures.
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