811 Allen
Late 80's /Early 90's
The condition of the cottage was grim. The tenants at the time started tearing off the outer layers, which included a fake brick veneer, a fake stone veneer and wood lap siding; exposing the brick-in-post construction. This caught the attention and excitement of the experienced rehabbers in Soulard, who understood the historic significance of this type of construction.
The Fire
Whether accidental or intentional, a fire gutted the cottage.
West Wall
More detail of the west wall, showing the original brick-in-post construction and damage from the fire.
South Wall
View of the south and west walls post-fire. Note that there are no buildings on the 813 and 815 lots.
Fire Damage, Roof
View of the damage caused by the fire. Note the corrugated metal on the roof.
Fire Damage, Roof
Another view of the fire damage to the roof.
Fire Damage, Front
Damage to the front of the house from the fire. The window was not the same dimensions as the original window and would be replaced. Also note the wall partitions creating very tiny rooms out of what is now the living room.
Fire Damage, Downstairs
Lower level, looking towards what is now the guest bathroom.
Downstairs Fireplace
View of the downstairs fireplace that has been rehabbed, see process here:
Downstairs stairwell
Stairs between the floors, this was not original and was removed during construction.
Chimney
Looking up at the chimney above the fireplaces.
Exterior View
One of the windows under the porch.
Hot Tub
A view from the alley.
Post-Fire Bracing
Preserving the structural integrity of the cottage so that it can be saved. Note construction has begun on 813/815 Allen.
Jointery
An interesting beam jointery exposed on the west wall.
Front Bracing
Keeping the south wall stable.
Front Bracing
A more detailed view of the front.
Roof Construction
Rebuilding the roof post-fire.
Hot Tub #2
The privy in the front yard over which the outhouse was located, note the brick sewer line to the city sewer.
Privy
Another view of the privy, which is filled in and buried somewhere in the front yard.
Post-Construction
A view of the house after the rehabilitation in the early/mid 90's. Note that 813 Allen is finished, and 809 is missing.
Post-Construction
View of the front yard with the cottage and neighboring houses completed.
800 Block of Allen
1909 Sanborn Map
An excerpt from the Sanborn Fire Map from 1909. All lots from 801 to 811 had alley houses. only 801 remains today.
View from 8th
801 to 807 Allen completely decrepit. I'm guessing this is late 1970's or early 1980's.
View Looking North
801 and 805 are seeing signs of life. Still a lot of work left on the block. The cottage can be seen on the left just barely peeking around 809.
Looking East
801 to 809 looking east towards Sts. Peter & Paul.
Looking East
Same view relatively, but including the cottage and the 813/815 lots.
809 Allen
With the post-fire cottage on the left.
Looking East
Signs of more improvements on the block. The Soulard Housing Corporation has hung a sign on 807 to begin rehabbing that building.
809 Allen
Unfortunately, 809 also suffered a fire during the rehab of the cottage. It was determined that the bricks were too damaged from the fire to be reused and the building was completely demolished.
807 Allen
With 809 completely removed.
809 Allen
Re-construction of 809 after the fire and demolition.
809 Allen
The house was built back to match the original building, with one small change. Can you see it?
807 Alley House
Unfortunately, they were unable to save the alley house behind 807.
803 Alley House
Likewise, the alley house at 803 was also a total loss.
813/815 Construction
Infill construction of 813/815 Allen. Note this was prior to the fire at 809.
813/815 Construction
Another view of construction, looking east.