Chicago Worker’s Cottages were built all over the city from the late 19th through early 20th centuries. They were built of wood or masonry and were meant to provide affordable housing for the influx of blue collar factory workers in Chicago during the industrial revolution. Many of the workers were immigrants from Poland, Germany, Ireland, etc. They typically earned low wages and needed affordable housing. There were different styles of Worker’s Cottages, but they were mostly small single family homes with 2-3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom (or no bathrooms in the 1800s!), a walk-in pantry and closet, kitchen, front room/living room, porch and raised full basement (we called an English basement). I grew up in a Chicago Worker’s Cottage at 3137 N. Drake on the Northwest side of Chicago in the Avondale neighborhood. See the photo below.
Growing up there, I didn’t know it was a Worker’s Cottage. We just referred to it as a frame house. At the time, I didn’t really like the house, because some of my friends lived in nicer houses that were all fixed up. My Dad did some improvements to the house, such as new aluminum siding and paneling in the basement, but I fealt it needed much more. It was nothing like the Lincoln Square greystone my cousins lived in or the brick bungalos or two story homes my friends lived in. I sold the house when I got married and we moved to the suburbs. Now, I wish we hadn’t sold it. Even if we didn’t live there, we could have rented it out.
I just learned last week that the house I grew up in was considered a Worker’s Cottage (a term I never heard before). I read about it on Twitter from a post by www.chicagopatterns.com and Gabriel X. Michael.
If I still owned my old Worker’s Cottage (built in 1902), I would have it restored and renovated and value it as the precious jewel that it is. Below are photos of some other “precious jewels” that are still standing. Many Worker’s Cottages are being demolished to make room for new modern houses or skyscrapers. Also, shown is a sign advertising Worker’s Cottages for sale.
You are just a fountain of information. First I found out that I lived in Bronzeville as a child. Now I find that I lived in a Workers Cottage. We had black and white siding on our house and a large back yard.
Thanks Suzette. I’m glad it’s helpful information. It helps me have a sense of identity to know where I came from and its history.