The Girl on the Building

     The Chicago Board of Trade casts an imposing figure at the intersection of LaSalle and Jackson. But one of its more unique attributes cannot be seen from street level. In fact, you would need a bird's-eye view to see it. Perched atop the building is a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Interestingly enough, that statue was modeled after a person. What is even more interesting is that we know who that person was. Her name was Madelyn La Salle, one of several daughters of a local businessman. The sculptor saw her one day and decided that she had to be his model. After several sessions, the likeness was done, and Ceres was realized in 31 feet of aluminum atop the Board of Trade. La Salle's life didn't cease to be interesting there however. She lived on for another 73 years, a life that saw her voted Miss Cook County, get married to a polo-playing playboy, open an art gallery, marry the famed bandleader Ted Fiorito, and eventually move out to California. She finally passed away at the age of 87 in 2001, but not before living a full life-and giving the city of Chicago yet another of its many architectural icons.