Two Tales of a House
This two-and-half story wooden house on N 25th Street was built in the early 1910s. A duplex, this building type is very common in Milwaukee, but this home is more than a mere physical object that reminds us of the past. The way its owners have altered it over time helps us understand the changing aspirations, needs, and uses of the diverse inhabitants of this home and many like it.
A home is an investment whose value accrues as homeowners make additions and changes to it. And for a resident, a home is a hearth that embodies care, love, and connections. House as an Investment This duplex was constructed on 26th Street, but was physically moved from its initial 26th Street location (between Vliet Street and Cold Spring Road) to its current site in September 1916 by its owner, William Vogel, at a cost of $600. This shift not only reflects this building’s adaptability but also indicates Vogel’s changing aspirations and circumstances. A subsequent addition of a brick garage in 1917 reflects the practical requirements of the time. By 1948, Mary Vogel, William’s widow, sought to acquire a permit to convert the second-floor unit from a single-family to a two-family residence. We find no physical evidence that indicates that these changes were actually carried out, but hinge marks on a door frame casing suggest that the door between the living room and kitchen might have been added at a later date. This evidence may indicate a later conversion of the house from a single-family home to a multi-family dwelling. The house transformed into a commercially zoned building between 1971 and 1981, when Derjon Investment Company owned this property. Buildings are investments and financial assets, and changes made to their use and structure often reflect the economic intentions of owners. This story of plans to convert this two-unit apartment into a multi-family and multi-unit dwelling or a commercial space demonstrates how a home adapts to changing economic and investment needs. This shift highlights the house's transient role as a dynamic economic asset. The history of this property, characterized by various economic and social transformations, as well as the evolving goals of its owners, vividly illustrates the house's remarkable ability to adapt and transcend the expected form and functions of a traditional home. House as a Hearth The duplex on 25th Street served as a sanctuary for many families who lived in this building. Consider the Vogel family that resided in the duplex for five and a half decades. During this period, their sons grew up and started their own families. The duplex's layout, designed with distinct spaces for each family unit, unfolds a narrative of familial growth. The intentional design adjustments to accommodate the changing composition of the Vogel family reflect the dynamic interplay between architecture and familial dynamics. I visited this historical dwelling with the BLC Field School team on July 12th, 2023. The walls were embellished with framed prints, posters, and photographs, spanning from the late 1960s to today. The interior exuded an ambiance redolent with the scent of cinnamon spice, invoking a sensory connection to the lived experiences within the house. The observation of two separate entrance doors leading to the front of the apartment spurred conjecture: perhaps these doors had distinct purposes in the past, separating formal living areas from private spaces. This spatial division suggests a balance between formal living areas and private spaces, attesting to the builder's foresight in ensuring the inhabitants' comfort. The one entry to the office room, which is convertible to a guest bedroom, has been locked by the current owner. This reflects the adaptability of spaces to suit different needs and functions. We discovered a Victorian-era sliding pocket door that separated the dining area from the living room. Architectural elements like these speak to the care invested in the home's design and the comfort it aimed to provide. The presence of locks and latches on bedroom doors hinted at the possibility of rooms being used by unrelated or extended family members, necessitating secured spaces within the house. An interesting facet of change over time was revealed by a blocked door leading to the balcony. The current owner's aspiration to reopen this access spoke volumes about the desire to reclaim and utilize neglected spaces within the house. Architect Renee Chow writes that the layout of a well-designed home can offer residents choices that allow them to adapt the building interiors to suit their cultural needs. A duplex is a good example of a home perfected over generations to suit the changing needs of its inhabitants. This building offered its residents the flexibility to make structural alterations, such as by blocking doors and modifying interior spaces to changing uses. In this way, a duplex building becomes a historical artifact—a living record of evolving cultures, identities, and needs. The hearth narrative depicts the house as an emotional haven, where families grew, cared for each other, and created memories. Beyond financial value, it held the core of lives lived within its walls. Elements like locked doors and rearranged spaces reflect the house's adaptability to changing needs, representing a home's value beyond its monetary worth—a testament to the lives within. Every House has Two Tales Exploring the narratives within this duplex, it becomes evident that a home extends beyond its physicality, morphing into a dynamic artifact reflective of the ever-changing human experience. The adaptability of this dwelling, showcased through its reimagined spaces, not only highlights its resilience but also underscores the continuous evolution of aspirations and identity within its walls. Through physical alterations and flexible spaces, the duplex emerges as a historical record, echoing the diverse stories of those who have shaped and been shaped by its architectural boundaries. A dwelling transcends physicality, it is a realm where families craft memories and communities are forged. The architectural modifications in a building act as tangible expressions of the varied cultural layers interwoven into the fabric of its structure. Every space is dynamic, shaped by the people within it. Treating spaces as active agents, capable of influencing how we live, adds a layer of depth to our understanding. Houses tell the connected stories of people living there and the changing processes shaping them. This lens helps us see how every home has more than one story to tell . |
Research by: Maria Rose Francis