15 Dec early 1860s cornelius c. hopper italianate style masonry residence destroyed
the cornelius c. hopper house (1863) was demolished in a matter of hours late last week. sadly, very little, if anyhting, was salvaged from the exterior and/or interior of the three-story italiante style masonry residence punctuated with unornamented lemont limeston window hoods. the original solid walnut staircase, with turned newel post and spindles, was likely executed by john kent russell’s sash and lumber factory. a fanciful marble mantel, cove molding, wide plank pine floors, and a few recessed panel doors likely date to the time the house was completed in 1863-64.
aside from myself and the wrecker, no one was around to witness or record the senseless destruction of this pre-fire residence. the images were taken over the course of the day, from the moment the back porch was torn off to the collapse of the last freestanding wall.
all images couresy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2021.
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