Background
Charles M. Palmer was born on September 7, 1845, in Saginaw, Michigan, United States.
Charles M. Palmer was born on September 7, 1845, in Saginaw, Michigan, United States.
He went to Chicago to study architecture, and under the late John Van Osdel received a thorough training.
Following the great fire of 1871 he began practice with Frank Spinning, but withdrew from the partnership after a few years to carry on work under his own name.
One of Chicago's noted buildings destroyed in the fire was the old Potter Palmer mansion, and Mr. Palmer is believed to have been largely responsible for the design of the new house erected in 1873. Among other buildings he planned and/or built were several business blocks for the Potter Palmer family on the city's north side, office building and stores on State Street beginning with the Palmer house and extending north three solid blocks. In addition Mr. Palmer designed and built various other structures in the Hyde Park and Kenwood suburbs.