The Ancient Temple Of Wrigley Field? Bricks From Historic Chicago Ballparks Join Tribune Tower Facade

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Aug 13, 2015 3:00PM

The Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Wrigley Field—one of these things is not quite like the others, until Friday, when bricks taken from Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park will take their place in the Tribune Tower's historic stone facade alongside stones from many of humanity's most iconic architectural feats and historical sites.

The Tribune Tower's limestone exterior holds about 148 stones and bricks from famous structure around the world and all 50 United States, including the World Trade Center, Abraham Lincoln's home, and The Alamo in Texas. Yesterday signs for Wrigley Field and the South Side's historic Comiskey ballpark were added to the mix, with their names and holes for their bricks carved into the North Michigan Avenue tourist attraction, which also houses the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets. The bricks will be filled in during a ceremony Friday.

They will be the first new additions to the building since tiles from the Sydney opera House were added in 2006, according to the Tribune. In keeping with the geography of the ballparks and their local symbolism, the bricks have been placed on the North and South Sides of the Tower, respectively.

Wrigley Field, built in 1914 and originally called Weeghman Park, is no temple, but its brick takes its place on the Tower wall next to an ancient temple from China's Honan Province.

Comiskey Park was built in 1909, and its 35th Street stadium was replaced by a new park now called U.S. Cellular Field across the street in 1991. Its brick goes next to The Alamo, Texas, a San Antonio mission that played a key role in the Texas Revolution in 1836.

The obvious jokes are already being made about the additions: