Feature Report

Wrecker's Ball

Wrecking Crane

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  Final Days
E. C. Minas Company - When the walls come tumbling down
No-it's not a sale, but the end of an era. Take a look as the Edward C. Minas Company building meets the infamous "wrecker's ball". As the building's days are numbered we look at it's final moments as the last fragments of brick, mortar, plaster, steel and timber stand. Soon the department store that once stood at 460 State Street will be all but a memory for those who once worked or shopped there. Now is the time to say farewell to a store that was an old friend to some and a shopping tradition to others.

Although the store closed in 1984 the building still remained as a reminder to many. As the structure stood vacant for 18 years, time took a heavy toll on it, forcing its ultimate destruction. A preservation movement did help to preserve the store's historic front facade. As 90 to 95% of the building's grey terra cotta facade was saved and put into storage with hopes that the old storefront will one day grace the front of a new modern building in the downtown area.

At one time it was the city's first and largest complete department store. Where fashion once reined, now bricks rain as they tumble to the ground, marking closure to a city institution. As the structure's demise is near we will chronologically report the final stages as it is being torn down. First looks will be at a weekly basis and later as the demolition progresses further reports will be on a daily basis. Destruction of the store started in earnest in July as rapid progress was made by the end of the month. The entire demolition of the structure should be all but complete by early August.

Demolition begins on the four story Minas addition July 10, 2002

View of the Minas store building and addition from the Oakley Street vantage point. A close-up is shown to the right.		 Close up view of the demolition July 10, 2002

A later addition to the store, this four story structure functioned as a service wing. It contained workrooms, stockrooms as well as a receiving dock.
A look inside-this section was the gift department July 17, 2002

Peering inside the store at the State Street east entrance. Stockroom shelves of the gift department have been pushed inwards.		 The sun sets on the Minas building July 17, 2002

As the saying goes . . if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one says it all. As the sunset fades on the Minas building.
Demolition continues by gutting the interior July 17, 2002

Workmen begin the demolition of the eastern most section of the Minas store by gutting the interior floors.		 Four story freight elevator still stands July 17, 2002

All that remains of the former four story addition to the store is the freight elevator, still mainly intact.
Demolitions begins on the original one third of the store July 23, 2002

The destruction of the original Minas store is now underway. This part was the western most section of the building.		 Third floor stairwell minus the stairs July 23, 2002

All that remains of the rear staircase which countless shoppers trudged up and down for those Minas Day values.
Rapid pace of the tear down continues July 24, 2002

With a good third portion of this section of the store now torn down the Linen, Millinery and Carpet Departments are now gone.		 Third floor Carpet Department display July 24, 2002

Here we zoom in on the third floor Carpet Department. Note the Lees Carpet display still on the wall.
Debris now stocks the Gift Department July 27, 2002

Huge piles of debris once the former walls, shelves, and lathe and plaster of the store now fill the Gift Department section, First Floor.		 First floor elevators in backround July 27, 2002

Going Up! . . . Floor Please . . . were the calls made by the Minas elevator operators. Manned passenger elevators still existed at the store.
Remains of a sidewalk skylight July 27, 2002

This mass of twisted steel and glass blocks was once a sidewalk skylight to the basement below.		 Shelves of the Yard Goods Department July 27, 2002

Another close up view shows us the remains of what was the Yard Goods Department. Bolts of fabics once filled these shelves.

Story by William J. Uzdanovich © 2002 HammondIndiana.com all rights reserved.
Demolition Photos above © 2002 HammondIndiana.com all rights reserved.

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