rare early 1870's gothic victorian chicago cottage on sedgwick faces wrecking ball early this week

a rare example of a largely intact and well-maintained gothic style victorian wood-framed cottage built shortly after the chicago fire of 1871 will be reduced to rubble this week. the two story wood-framed cottage likely was built on the site of a structure that succumbed to the fire as it was located well within the "burnt district," where the path of destruction was detailed in photographic images and maps. preliminary research suggests the house was built by materials provided through the relief fund and/or relief aid society.

---salvage in progress as demolition gets underway, beginning with the garage and addition---

the distinctive wood rope molding (popular design element for chicago cottages during the 1860's and early 1870's)  was likely executed by hall & winch. the molding is comprised of white pine and was made on a workshop lathe using highly specialized knifes to achieve the curvature desired.

UPDATE AS OF 5-30-2017:

demolition has begun on the post-fire sedgwick street house, with garage and addition reduced to rubble. the original (i.e. oldest) two-story victorian gothic revival style cottage was left standing by the time i arrived (see image below) to document its construction.

additional artifacts salvaged were salvaged prior to the main cottage and its addition were demolished this afternoon. the interiors have been heavily altered over the years, but the original solid walnut wood newel post and staircase are original to the time the house was built (1872-3).

when i encountered a large pile of walnut and pine wood shavings left behind by one of the carpenters under the staircase landing, it reminded me of a book i reference often, pertaining to carpentry and joinery dating to back to 1868. the book's images of working carpenters, coupled with the shavings i found helped me "see" them working with their hand planes and other tools required to install the treads, risers, railings, etc., right there on site.

additional photos taken during the sedgwick house salvage shortly before demolition commenced.