pre-fire cottage demolition behind urban remains offers a glimpse of the neighborhood's past

this past week demolition of a pre-fire workers cottage (the original cottage dates to the late 1860's, with subsequent additions added over the next 40 years) hit close to home (quite literally), with wrecking machines moving in on a neighboring structure, just adjacent to the rear of urban remains warehouse. the long dilapidated building sat in isolation between empty lots, its peeling paint and lack of ornament belying its age.

the narrow red brick structure occupied the front of the lot, and was configured with a much earlier wood-framed cottage on the rear, likely built around 1867-1870 and moved in the late 19^th or early 20^th century when the masonry structure was added. the 1906 addition's façade was heavily modified beginning in the 1940's, but a single protruding bay window on the second floor remained intact despite being largely masked by newer siding, air condition window units and gaudy metal awnings.

before the combined structures were reduced to rubble, time and neglect left them in a state of disrepair, earning a "condemned" notice from the city. in addition, the easily overlooked architecture with no visible header or brickwork, and/or decorative elements along the facade, coupled with empty lots on either side made the residence an easy target for demolition or development. in line with this, research into residents at 1844 w. race street (formerly 38 w. emerson st.) turns up little information pertaining to detailed history of construction and/or the occupants that lived there over the years. the only news-worthy moment in its history seems to have been during the late 1980’s, when a known burglar resided on the 2^nd floor, and was soon after found murdered in an associate’s near west side apartment.

even with scant information on its date of construction, or occupants during any earlier era of its existence, the house’s deconstruction proved interesting. as the inner structure was exposed to view, it was clear that the beams (e.g., notched sill plated pinned together with wood pegs) of the foundation were configured using old world construction methods.

beams were augered for stud and joist, and white oak wood pegs reinforced the mortise and tenon joinery at each corner. an 1886 insurance map shows the lot to have held a wood frame cottage. interestingly enough, the surrounding area was also filled with wood frame cottages (some with stables at the rear of the lot), and the site of today’s urban remains warehouse held two brick cottages where our parking lot is now.

in fact, urban remains' parking lot in the late 1870's (at 621 w. indiana) was occupied by carpenters charles and julius reese. they in turn neighbored a porter named henry dodge, and a coffee, tea, and spice retailer named w.f. anderson. during this same era, the corner building on grand and wolcott was a merchant tailor and clothier's emporium, run by dutch immigrant and masonic fraternity member, anthon larsen.

aside from the handful of names that flesh out the people and industries in the area during the late 19th century, much remains cryptic about the history of the structure at 1844 w. race. yet, this is precisely the type of overlooked building i try to document, so that those histories which are more challenging to uncover or preserve do not slip away without adequate research or attention. even if a particular house lacks a remarkable history, it stands as part of a larger whole within the neighborhood.

update as of 8/10/2016:

excavation of the lot where the house once stood, along with lots to the east and west, wrapped up this afternoon - the concrete footings for the condos being erected there were completed shortly thereafter. while research is ongoing, i did manage to unearth a few 19th century bottles from the lots flanking the location where the house stood. these include another w.h.h. blobtop and a diminutive two-toned glazed pottery jar stamped for a liquor store that would have been near the intersection of racine and milwaukee avenue.