Illinois Central Railroad, Oakland Avenue Passenger Station, Chicago, Illinois, South Elevation 1886

Here is the south elevation of the Illinois Central Railroad Passenger Station, created by Adler & Sullivan, Architects in 1883. Notice how the structure employs repetitive geometric patterns. See the rows of small squares and the triangular pediments over the doors and windows. These shapes are more than mere decoration; they are echoes of classical forms, reaching back to antiquity. Think of the Greek temples with their triangular pediments, or the Roman use of repeated geometric motifs in their mosaics. These forms, initially symbols of order and civic pride, here, in late 19th century Chicago, transition into emblems of modernity. Yet, the echo remains. These shapes touch a part of our collective memory, triggering associations with stability and permanence. The building quietly speaks to our subconscious, hinting at a connection between past and present, reminding us that even in the rush toward the future, we carry the weight of history with us.