1918ColonialRevival wrote:...In my neighborhood, which was constructed between 1910 and 1925, it was Florida windows. Metal framed windows with horizontal glass louvers that open and shut using a crank. These were popular in beach houses during the post-WWII era through probably the early 1960s. Evidently one neighbor got them installed on their third floor landing and soon everyone else had to have them. Never mind these were designed for patios and sunrooms.
Also, I forgot to mention, I believe you're right on the living room mantel. The Neoclassical revival mantels came back on the scene in the 1890s and remained popular through the 1910s. Based on it, the tile, and the furnace upgrade, I'd say your first renovation happened closer to 1895, but probably not much later than 1900.
Do you have a backyard? If so, you might have an old privy or two out there holding treasures!
Thank you 1918ColonialRevival - Ahh yes, I knew those windows as jalousie windows growing up in California. Not exactly energy efficient or secure.
Our next door neighbor has their original marble mantle with hearth. I wold have preferred the original mantle, but this one has it's merits. Because it is the heat duct for the room, I am considering installing a vented cast iron summer screen surrounded with tile, once I get the big projects done.
Backyard? Well, if you call a 12'x16' concrete pad surrounded by six foot cinder-block walls a backyard, sure! It's actually considered a moderate sized outdoor space for the area. Given that I have lived in apartments for the past 30 years, I am thrilled to have even that space.
I have no doubts that there are treasures of some sort or another buried under the concrete slap. Not only where there privies back there, they kept horses in the back too! In much of pre-1875 Philly, you will find narrow tunnel like passages between houses, often split between two houses. I don't know the official name for these passageways, I call them horse walks (
See photo example) but they may have another name. They were built just wide enough and tall enough to bring a horse through from the street to the back yard stable. We have access to one through our neighbors rear yard.