Building Quiz

Dating the building (Answer to Question # 2-a)

So how do we know that the building dates to the late 19th century? The building type, a two-flat, was common from the late 19th century well into the 20th century, but it would look different in later years. Perhaps the most tell-tale sign here is the elaborate cornice. This is really typical of the 1870s and 1880s. You can get some idea of this by checking style guides (link to the research page with style guides). Although no one has written a good book trying to show the progression of style in Chicago buildings, we have put up a sequence of buildings for a small area of Chicago, the Near West Side, to show what such a style guide might do. (link to style guide) 

Question # 3:

But how could you check if you wanted to be sure?

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