THE SURVIVAL OF WOOD FRAME HOUSES (1904)
It doesn’t matter whether you view the “before” or the “after” image first.
Either way, it can come as a shock how much the facade of a building can change over time.
In 1904, when the houses were about 30-40 years old, the estate of Harold Dusenberry was selling four of them – Nos. 405, 407, 407A, and 409 Monroe Street. The four 3-story frame dwellings ended up being sold to an “investment company.”
Comparing this picture to the current image from Google Maps below, here are five major differences we’ve noticed:
1) The house all the way to the left, No. 405, has been torn down and replaced with a “Fedders” mansion.
2) The other attached wood-frame houses, which still exist, have had their original details stripped or covered over the years.
3) Most of the cornices seem covered with vinyl siding.
4) The ornate porches have been stripped of their wood.
5) And their iron fences, though mostly present, are missing gates and sections.
What other differences do you see?
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The story you have just read was composed from extensive historical research conducted by The Brownstone Detectives. We perform in-depth investigations on the historic homes of our clients, and produce for them their very own House History Books. Our hardbound books contain an illustrated and colorful narrative timeline that will bring the history of any house to life. Contact us today to begin discovering the history of your home.
