After completing the renovation of ComEd’s Chicago North Regional Headquarters building in 2019, plans began to demolish the 90-year-old structure and replace it with a state-of-the-art facility. During the demolition, an unusual box was found – a time capsule dating back to 1987.
At that time, almost 35 years ago, ComEd was celebrating its 100th year of existence and James J. O’Connor, chairman and CEO of the company, advised that each office should celebrate the company’s centennial with an event.
William J. Cormack, vice president of the Chicago North Division, put John Maxson, now a ComEd retiree, in charge of organizing the event at the Chicago North office. As part of the celebration, Maxson created a time capsule to be placed behind a plaque in the brick wall. An eagle sculpture, saved from a previous demolition in the 1980s and sitting in storage, was placed next to the capsule. It was given the name “Centennial Eagle” in honor of the anniversary.