mobile icon
Toggle Nav
My Cart
Close
  • Menu
  • Setting

a post-fire chicago wood-framed building with western false front facade undergoing demolition

even as greater attention has been directed toward endangered 19th century wood-framed chicago cottages, there has been a dearth of conversation around the looming threat toward wood-framed commercial structures. a steady stream of demolition permits continues to painfully destroy the integrity of enough neighborhoods across the city to garner attention, but there are actually few commercial structures from that period still standing and those are routinely overlooked. in fact, these commercial structures often link back to the period after the great fire in 1871, and their material makeup reflects city codes put in place to enforce the use of “fireproof” building materials.

 

wood-framed commercial buildings with a “false front” are few and far between, so it is truly a horrific loss to see an intact post-fire structure – complete with arched top and bracketed cornice- wrecked in a matter of hours. in simplest terms, a false front is a front wall that extends above the roof and the sides of a building to create a more impressive facade. chicago is full of buildings which aim toward this end – most older architecture is a structural system with cladding and ornament, and residential architecture from the 19th and early 20th century puts heavy stock in beautifying the front of a building while using common brick on less visible sides. there are even buildings with no purpose other than cloaking electrical substations and utility infrastructure. even so, the false front here is closer to the iconic architecture of the western frontier, and a style that is something of a rarity in chicago.

according to preliminary research, the clapboard structure was both a corner saloon and a boarding or rooming house when it was erected around 1876. the interior boasts the building’s age, as the structure retains original turned walnut wood staircases, built-up molding, and paneled doors with porcelain knobs intact.

the double half circle top window under the dentiled cornice was also intact, albeit hidden by newer siding. the structure retains an addition dating to the 1880’s and ornamental tin ceiling that was likely added toward the end of the 19th century. when the first floor was converted into apartments, a false ceiling was built that concealed the tin ceiling, cove molding, and traces of early wallpaper. the following image gallery spotlights these findings, which are too often exposed only in the dissection that leads to demolition.

the tin ceiling, dating to 1890 (obviously a later installation) was concealed by a false ceiling when the structure was converted to apartments.

several newspapers (dating to 1957) were stuffed between stud cavities behind lath. "makeshift" wall insulation is frequently found in cottages undergoing demolition. in some cases, the objects or articles have greatly assisted in identifying the year the building was erected, along with provide invaluable insight into the daily lives of the structure's occupants throughout time.

i spent the entire afternoon photo-documenting the tragic loss of this 19th century "boomtown" or false front boarding house. i regret not having more time to meticulously comb through the attic and basement prior to demolition. thanks to the wrecker, i did at least manage to take a quick look in the attic with the help of his machine, but i didn't want to take up too much of his time, so i documented what i could, including the original half-circle top windows concealed behind newer siding.



Some Of Our Clientele

WORDLWIDE SHIPPING

If required, please contact an Urban Remains sales associate.

NEW PRODUCTS DAILY

Check back daily as we are constantly adding new products.

PREMIUM SUPPORT

We're here to help answer any question. Contact us anytime!

SALES & PROMOTIONS

Join our newsletter to get the latest information

Close