terra cotta executive's home ingeniously showcases his company's ornament

the henry rokham house is one of four homes located on “terra cotta row” in the lakeview neighborhood of chicago. rokham was one of the founding members of the northernwestern terra cotta company (formerly known as true, bunkhorst & co. northwestern terra cotta works), which was incorporated in 1887.

that same year rokham – then vice-president of the newly-formed terra cotta company, had his house built near their plant, located on wrightwood avenue just east of clybourn on the north side of town where much of their workforce lived.

of the four houses located on oakdale, the 1887 rokham house remains amazingly intact, showcasing an impressive assemblage of the company’s “stock pattern” ornament with seldom seen beige or buff-colored slip glaze finish, surrounded by creamy city brick. the distinctive gothic style perforated red slip-glazed terra cotta fence and railing was erected in 1896.

images of house courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and bldg. 51 archive.

ephemera and ornament on northwestern terra cotta company from the bldg. 51 archive.