Benjamin and Schermerhorn Building
Built: 1857
Architect: Rudolph Richter
About Rudolph Richter
Born around 1827 in Prussia, Richter arrived in Bloomington in 1854 with experience as a draftsman and carpenter. He quickly developed a close relationship with Samuel Rounds, a prominent contractor and brick maker. Richter established a school to teach architectural drawing, focusing on perspective and other technical aspects. Known for his expertise in ornamental iron work and his preference for the straightforward Italianate style, Richter was entrusted with designing a variety of buildings, both commercial and residential. One notable example is the Rounds Block on West Front Street. Richter continued to contribute to Bloomington's architectural landscape until 1875, when he moved to Indianapolis.
Style: Italianate (1840-1880)
About Italianate (1840-1880)
Italianate style commercial buildings featured low-pitched roofs, bracketed cornices, round and segmented arched windows with decorative headers, and recessed entrances. Sometimes known as Tuscan, Lombard, Round, or Bracketed, the versatility of this design made it almost a national style in the 1850s.
Address: 210 N. Center St
 Brief History:
1857 - Initially built as a dry goods store owned by Edward Benjamin and John Schermerhorn
1858-1866 - Housed The Pantagraph newspaper on the third floor.
1886-1926 - Henry Capen and Sons, a loan broker and investment counselor, occupied the second floor.
1895 - W.B. Read and Co., a stationary and bookstore occupied first floor.
1951 - W.B. Read and Co. occupied the whole building until the death of proprietor, William Read.
1952 - Osco Drug Store and EGS Development Company.
2006-2020 - CVS Drugstore
2024 – Under renovation, plans are to have luxury condos on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and a restaurant or other business for the first floor.
Architectural Description:
Italianate style, three-story building made of a fine-light colored pressed brick atop a heavy stone foundation.
Formal balance achieved through repetitive arched windows and moldings that pierce the facade of the second and third stories.
The 14 windows of the front façade are composed of limestone sills and headers.
First floor is modern, using large aluminum framed windows.
Brick corbeling and dentils across the top of the front facades. The cornice brings uniformity between the two buildings.
Interesting fact:
During the United States Civil War The Pantagraph was known as a radical "black Republican" newspaper for its support of Abraham Lincoln and views on slavery.