What can you tell me about this house?

[Abuela]

Thanks! She said it's called Butcher's Hill, and it's very close to Patterson Park (we took a walk to there, in fact!).

I knew the exposed brick wasn't original, but wasn't sure if that difference in brick might signify something.

[YinzerMama]

Thanks! She said it's called Butcher's Hill, and it's very close to Patterson Park (we took a walk to there, in fact!).

I knew the exposed brick wasn't original, but wasn't sure if that difference in brick might signify something.

It could mean the house was added on to (can't tell if that's a logical assumption, it would be weird to add on such a small amount to a whole house) or just that they didn't have enough of the same brick and figured since it wasn't going to show anyway they could just through in any old brick.

[Abuela]

The tile in the foyer interests me. The tile on the walls - subways with a detail tile at the top - what's that all about? And the floor - is that tile too? What's the name of that stuff?? There's a great tile that was just wild in the Italianate period that people had in their foyers - very expensive stuff - but today - you can get replacement pieces if broken etc. But it is virtually a piece of art on the floor if that's what I think it might be!

Yes, the floor is tile, too. Any ideas on how to research this further?

The space over the fp is interesting - I wonder if the fp is original and why this area is unbricked? Was it at one time an opening between the next room? The mysteries!

Interesting you should ask this because one picture that didn't turn out was of an area on the wall of the hallway, not directly across from the fireplace but close, that is clearly what used to be an arched opening between their house and the house next door. It's filled in and plastered now. I'm VERY curious as to the story about when/why the houses were connected. I wonder if her neighborhood has an historical society that might be able to help...

[Don M]

I agree with the other comments about age, style, exposed brick, medalion, & tray ceiling! I wonder if the difference in the bricks indicates some previous damage to that area; water infiltration & soft poorly fired bricks? The wood nailer appears to be one piece & not cut so probably not a bricked in doorway. Interesting house in any case. Don

[cs]

Abuela,

I can tell you that the floor is an encaustic tile floor (and I love those!). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bankf ... um_081.jpg

or http://www.oldhouseliving.com/2009/05/0 ... es-part-3/

It IS valuable... and original... and repairable (though they will have to search for color matches). Some place like this: http://www.tiledperfection.com/designs.html might carry reproductions. Or large-scale specialty architectural salvage places may be able to match it.

Chris
http://www.saracenihouse.com

[melissakd]

Get this book:

The Baltimore Rowhouse by Mary Ellen Hayward and Charles Belfoure

My public library has it. It goes into MASSIVE detail about Baltimore's row houses.

There's always good old research, too: former owners, property deed records, etc.

MelissaKD

[Barbara001]

I love old row houses! My guess is this was from the Victorian era. Very charming

[S Melissa]

Chris beat me to it - encaustic tile. It is what it reminded me of. A long while ago there was a brief poster here that had an encaustic tile entry - somewhere on the east side of the country - balitmore or boston or something like that. I think it is the only sample we've had thus far.

When I typed in "encaustic tile" in the search - besides wikipedia - there were a number of other resources that came up - possibly for replacement/repair options.

What are they planning on for this house - live in it as is - or go after some modifications?