It’s no wonder that the Chicago House Wrecking Company changed its name to “Harris Brothers” after it started selling kit houses; the name just doesn’t conjure up a sense of permanence! Beginning as a salvage operation in 1893, Chicago House Wrecking later began selling mail-order house plans as well as complete kit houses ready to construct. The name change took place in 1913. I’m not sure when Design No. 160 was first offered, but it does appear in the Chicago Wrecking Company’s 1910 catalog. I spotted an example last fall (built in reverse from the catalog illustration) in St. Francis, Kansas.
The catalog describes the house as a “bungalow which is original and correct in every detail.” Further, “Its well broken lines, porch construction and tower, give it an individuality that is rarely met with in bungalow designs.” The kit afforded the opportunity for some choice of finishes: “…it will look extremely well with shingles, cement veneer or siding; either will make a happy combination.” The builder of this house in Kansas opted for siding.
Like many of their designs, this house reflects the transitional nature of early twentieth-century design and was intended to appeal to the masses. The front suggests the then- and now-fashionable Craftsman aesthetic while the side – with its abbreviated “tower” – evokes a bit of the faded Queen Anne style which was still in vogue in rural areas. Fashion and current tastes aside, everyone loves a tower (even if it really is just a bay window with a low-pitched and faceted conical roof)!
Rendering of the house as it appears in the Chicago House Wrecking Company’s 1913 catalog. Image courtesy of archive.org
Floor plan. Image courtesy of archive.org
The text is a joy to read! The $826.00 price (for all the materials and plans to build this house) should be a giant, waving, red flag as to just how much value the dollar has lost in the past century. Image courtesy of archive.org
Built in reverse from the house depicted above, this house also differs in porch construction. Stone-faced concrete block was used for porch supports and the low wall was eliminated. 409 E. Webster Street, St. Francis, Kansas.
I think the octagon tower roof clashes badly with what is otherwise a straightforward Arts and Crafts linear Bungalow form. If you hadn’t shown the original plans, I would have thought the current photos showed an awkward remodeling job that added it.
I think the L-shaped porch that wraps around the side, with exterior door into the dining room is also another vestige of the Victorian era.
It’s cool to see these everyday old house plans, and be reminded that there was awkward architecture back then too.
Good point about the dining room door to the porch! The tower really does look awkward on what is otherwise an ordinary-looking Craftsman bungalow. Like the Harris Brothers’ infamous J-6 house, I think the tower was added to the plan in an effort to appeal to a greater number of people – especially rural customers who were a bit behind the times where current fashion was concerned. As you note, awkward architecture is nothing new!
Yes, if only adding a little bit of several different styles made it better, but alas…
I often tell people that there were attractive and unattractive homes designed and built 100 years ago just the same as today, but a century ago the poorly-executed were the exception, whereas now, it’s the good ones that are the exception.
That house is just… bizarre. I agree with Seth that it looks like someone bolted on the dining room as a modern addition to a bungalow. The house must have sold well enough for the company to keep it in the catalogs for a few years. I know I’ll remember that model if I ever see it in real life!
There’s another one in a small town in Nebraska which I saw some time last year. I thought I had photographed it, but can’t seem to find the image now. The house would be completely forgettable if it weren’t for the Franken-tower!
35th and Iron! That was a hotbed then. Near Bubbly Creek and the stockyards.
It took me a while to figure out what you meant! Yes; of course!!!! Home of the Harris Brothers…. 35th and Iron in Chicago! Lara of Sears Homes of Chicagoland made a post which shows the their building (scroll down, it’s the last photo)! Sadly, it doesn’t appear to still be standing. It’s kind of surreal to think of all the houses scattered about that originated at that corner. Thank you for the reminder!
Fun pic! Thanks for sharing that. There are still quite a few great industrial buildings around there, and there is a bit of a renaissance going on as new businesses and artists move in. The Zhou Brothers – some pretty cool artists – have a building just across the river, and a bunch of the old industrial buildings are acting as business incubators. It is pretty much adjacent to Bridgeport, home of the Daley clan, and all of that interesting history. I lived in Bridgeport for a while, and was introduced to the phrase “dem’s and dozer’s” to describe the locals. As in the local Chicago accent of dem tings, and doze tings.
I enjoyed this post!
I also enjoyed the comments!