Gumbel Building

Reinforced concrete, U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard training facility

 

This fireproof, rectangular 56,000-square foot building was erected between 1903 and 1904 on 8th and Walnut Streets. Architect John McKecknie employed a groundbreaking technique in his design. At the time, steel was the mainstay material used for building. The Gumbel building was one of the very first structures created with reinforced concrete in the United States. As the concrete hardened, it essentially built the support for the next level, resulting in a safer as well as cheaper method. The six stories feature incredibly ornate detail and unique terra cotta work with decorative Roman eagles and a lovely cornice on the 6th floor. It housed the training center for the US Naval Reserve, and hosted weekly training for the Coast Guard, Second District. “Some of the finest men of seafaring services come from the Midwest,” said the unit’s Lieutenant Commander, “and never see salt water until assigned to active duty.”