Chicago, IL: Kimbal Pianos and Organs, Piano Row

Office: (Satellite, the brick buildings from the 1800s are gone.)

Factories: (Satellite, the land is now used for parking.)

Ray Malquist posted four images with the comment:

Founded in Chicago by W.W. Kimball in 1857 it was once the world's largest manufacturer of pianos and organs. Kimball had the reputation as being mid-level and low tier pianos but they were affordable and were good starter instruments for beginner musicians. However, by 1959 the production facility was only completing15-25 pianos a day. It eventually became part of the Jasper Corporation and moved to a facility in Indiana. 

Interesting facts about Kimball:

After the Chicago Fire, John Steinway sent Kimball approximately 100 of his pianos to help get Kimball started up again.

Priscilla Presley had Kimball build a gold painted baby grand for Elvis which is still at Graceland.

Dan Keller: In the late 30’s my dad worked for Kimball Piano. He was employed as a pinstripe painter. I still have the brush he used.

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[I tried determining if we are looking North or South by identifying the building at the end of Wabash. If we are looking North, it is not a courthouse. [Chicagology via Dennis DeBruler] If we are looking South, it is not a train station. So I don't know what that domed building was.]

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Ray commented on his post
Summarizing some comments: Kimballs home is one of the few mansions still standing on Prairie Ave. It is at 1801 S. Prarie and has been converted to office space.

Street View, Apr 2009

Dennis Scott commented on Ray's post
The console of the Music Box Theatre organ was built by Kimball in the late 1920s.

Morven Forest commented on Ray's post
Piano row
[Fortunately, the sign on the left says "Wabash Ave" so that I was able to determine that we are looking North along Wabash at Van Buren.
The "L" still exists, but the tower is gone. And I think all of the buildings except the tall white one are gone.]

The river in the left background of the advertisement (Photo 1 above) confused me. It must be "artistic license" because I believe the buildings are in the upper-left corner of this excerpt or the southwest quadrant of 26th and Rockwell Streets. According to Google Map, the land is now used for free parking for jurors.

1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP