Tribune Building

The Tribune building was named for the printing plant owned by Clifford Gaubert, called Tribune Printing. The company was a long-term and much beloved business that was most commonly associated with the building. It was originally built by 4-term Louisiana State Senator, Dudley J. LeBlanc. He built it to house and bottle his famous Hadacol medicinal product which became wildly popular during the alcohol prohibition years, in effect between 1920 and 1933. The building was designed to resemble Italianate commercial structures that were popular in the late 1800s. An eclectic mix of modern elements coupled with Italian Renaissance-like ornamentation, such as fanciful brick relief panels in contrasting patterns, created a unique appearance. Eclecticism in architecture was introduced in the late 1800s as architects sought to create a unique design by drawing from multiple historic architectural precedents. Eclecticism allowed architects the flexibility to adapt and blend building elements freely between various historic styles and as such, offered a creative appeal to both the architects and their clients.