Live in a True 2-Bedroom “Worker’s Cottage”: 11405 S. Saint Lawrence in Pullman
There’s been a lot of chatter about what a “worker’s cottage” is recently but nothing personifies it better than the actual thing which can be found in the Pullman Historic District on the South Side.
This 2-bedroom worker’s cottage at 11405 S. Saint Lawrence has recently been restored with new plumbing, electric, furnace and air conditioning.
Originally built in 1882 on a 16×124 lot, Pullman was considered worth the higher rent, according to the Pullman historic site, than that which was charged compared with the rest of the city because every single Pullman property had indoor toilets and running water, which was rare for working class housing.
This rowhouse has hardwood floors throughout and skylights, which were common in Pullman design.
It’s square footage, at only 960 square feet, reflects that it was built for “workers” and not the skilled craftsmen or executives (both of which had larger homes.)
From the Pullman State Historic Site:
The quality of company owned and maintained housing was uncommonly good for worker housing. It was Pullman’s philosophy that happy workers would make more productive workers. A majority of the Pullman employees lived in the houses containing two to seven rooms. Foundations and some ornamentation was made of stone and the pitched roofs were slate. The homes, produced in blocks of two or more, provided economy of construction and maintenance. Every home had direct access to a private yard, woodshed and a paved alley. The alley served as access for vendors and trash collection, a company service included in the rent.
The historic plaque for this rowhouse lists the professions of those who once lived there as blacksmith, engineer, clerk and die maker.
This rowhouse has had its facade historically restored- not an easy feat. The Pullman Historic Foundation only allows historic restorations to the front of the buildings- on the inside and the backyard you can do whatever you want. The Foundation has information on the paint colors that need to be used etc. They are strict about accurate historic restorations.
The Pullman neighborhood has 2 Metra stops that get you downtown in about 20 minutes.
Is this worker’s cottage a good starter home?
Michael Wolski at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See more pictures here.
11405 S. Saint Lawrence: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 960 square feet, 1 car garage
- Sold in April 1996 for $59,000
- Sold in October 2005 for $150,000
- Bank owned in April 2009
- Sold in August 2009 for $22,000
- Originally listed in February 2010 for $133,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $128,900
- Taxes of $1491
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 15×13 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 15×13 (second floor)
- Living room: 15×13
- Kitchen: 15×13
Love it. Probably will go take a look.
I do not want to be ‘debby downer’ but when I have had two friends who purchased here. Both regret it because of problems with the surrounding neighborhood, which is one of the worst in the city. Caveat emptor.
HD:
Is this one of your land baron’s props?
Interesting post, though Sabrina. And a lovely home.
Talk about an oasis of history surrounded by blight.
No, but even if it were, I wouldn’t tell you lest you track down my appearance in the foreclosure.. p.s. I didn’t file appearances in my client’s pullman properties but I did in some other tangentially related issues to the pullman properties.
p.s since Sabrina was on the south side taking pictures, I bet there’s a hegewisch prop sometime this week!
“#anon (tfo) on April 6th, 2011 at 10:13 am
HD:
Is this one of your land baron’s props?”
Very cute house, but I need a house where I will feel safe taking my dog for walks.
I saw a listing on CraigsList once for a rowhouse in Pullman, which I had heard about but never seen… took a drive down there to check out. the historic neighborhood As others have said, the surrounding area is awful. Surrounded by industrial and bad neighborhoods, and pretty much isolated from anything. Too bad, because like this home, the properties themselves are nice.
“No, but even if it were, I wouldn’t tell you lest you track down my appearance in the foreclosure”
I wasn’t expecting a yes.
“since Sabrina was on the south side taking pictures,”
Those are all listing pix.
“No, but even if it were, I wouldn’t tell you lest you track down my appearance in the foreclosure”
Maybe anon is going by process of elimination.
“Maybe anon is going by process of elimination.”
I have to assume that anything HD posts that could be tracked like that is 25-75% false.
Such a bargain for a historically restored facade and all updated mechanicals. Unfortunately, because of the location, I would consider it for a walking tour, but would never live there.
Everything I post is 100% accurate but the names and dates and amounts (and sometimes neigborhoods) are changed to protect the innocent.
DZ: if he’s using the process of elimination its like finding a needle in a haystack in this neigborhood!
“#anon (tfo) on April 6th, 2011 at 10:31 am
“Maybe anon is going by process of elimination.”
I have to assume that anything HD posts that could be tracked like that is 25-75% false.”
“if he’s using the process of elimination its like finding a needle in a haystack in this neigborhood!”
anon is very methodical. Also, this is a different point, but someone who knows you already probably would be able to identify you based on your postings. I’m sure it’s true for me.
“anon is very methodical. Also, this is a different point, but someone who knows you already probably would be able to identify you based on your postings. I’m sure it’s true for me.”
…..but you guys sure love to find out (and post) who others really are……
Not really clio, I dont care who anybody else is. Nobody has ever outed you here. You did that to yourself when you talked about a farm you owned. even then, noone ever posted your name.
“You did that to yourself when you talked about a farm you owned. even then, noone ever posted your name.”
Wrong – posting something about a property you own doesn’t give someone permission to look you up and then talk about your profession, etc. I did not do that to myself. Oh, and someone DID post my name (southbound).
Rule #42 of internet foruming: No one needs your permission to out you, if they wish. But it is extremely bad netiquette and could get the user banned by the admin.
Isn’t Whiting, IN the new hip place for artists? I think that’d be a better locale.
OK found it — Oh wow, I recalled this article, but it’s from 16 years ago….!!! time flies…
The Hip Wander Whiting, Just Across Indiana Border
Article from:
Chicago Sun-Times
Article date:
April 28, 1995
Author:
Dave Hoekstra
The Hip Wander Whiting, Just Across Indiana Border
“Hold on to your Doc Martens. Whiting, Indiana, is the next Wicker Park.
Real estate types and disenfranchised urban artists are eyeing Whiting, which is just across the Indiana border from Calumet City.
“We see it more and more,” said Rebekah Macko-Rivich, co-owner of Stranger Than Paradise, a cool vintage shop at 1413 119th St. in uptown Whiting”
Also, I agree with most everyone else, this place is nice and the price is great too bad the general location sucketh.
Dunno much about the area. I did read a news article about how poor Pullman was a couple years ago but I just did some searches and that doesn’t appear too accurate. Nice place though.
I’m thankful for the people who choose to live here and preserve these homes and this historical neighborhood. I’m so curious. I hope some of the homeowners write in and tell us what drew them to live here, where they work, what their commute is like, where their children go to school and what they like to do for fun in the area.
Look at the facade of this place, which was built to house the lowest rung of Pullman workers. It’s dignified, asthetically pleasing. Some (me included) would even call it pretty.
Now compare to the facade of every piece of crap condo three flat put up in the last ten years. Neighborhood eyesores.
I struggle with what is more remarkable. That developers were so crass or that so many people were willing to buy those eyesores.
I lived in Whiting for about two years in the mid-90s with two female friends: We were all working for The Times newspaper, based in Munster.
Talk about value: The three of us shared a huge three-bedroom, one bath apartment for $400/month. (Well, we did have to bring in and install our own stove and refrigerator, both of which we picked up cheap/used.) Yes, as you guessed it, we were recently out of school, in our 20s, and having a lot of fun.
Whiting has some absolutely beautiful housing stock and great amenities … and also some major disadvantages, the biggest of which is pollution. 119th Street in Whiting is a clean, safe, beautiful small town-like stretch that typically reeks of either corn processing byproduct, soap processing byproduct, steel mill byproduct, or burning oil from the Amoco oil refinery. Lake Michigan (with an awesome, huge park and beach) is right nearby … but a major rail line separates it from Whiting, making access a pain.
Whiting has lots of civic money due to the tax revenue from the Amoco refinery, plus, the thing blows up every 30 years or so, and Amoco gives the town another pile of cash to make up for these inevitable industrial accidents.
There have been many rumors of cancer clusters in and around Whiting, but no firm study has come together to confirm this. If I had kids, I’d say far away from Whiting and the surrounding areas (including Hegewisch).
If you want to check out Whiting, the best time to go is Perogi Fest … I believe this is in the late spring or early summer.
“Real estate types and disenfranchised urban artists are eyeing Whiting, which is just across the Indiana border from Calumet City.”
No wonder it didn’t happen with directions like that. Whiting does not border Illinois, Hammond’s Robertsdale neighborhood does. Not to mention that Calumet City isn’t near the lake and doesn’t border Robertsdale, Chicago’s East Side does. Along the IL side of the IN border, Wolf Lake, Hegewisch and the village of Burnham are all between the East Side and Cal City.
Whiting is “quaint” and the Pierogi Fest is something to experience, but 100+ years of leaks from the giant Amoco refinery result in things like an oil sheen appearing on the ground in places after heavy rains. Oh yeah, there are smells to deal with, too.
“Whiting has lots of civic money due to the tax revenue from the Amoco refinery.”
Not any longer. The recent prop tax caps in IN will most likely force Whiting to cease existence and eventually be swallowed up by Hammond (which will not be an improvement.) They can’t hammer Amoco any longer to foot the bills. Same problem East Chicago (Mittal Steel) and Gary (US Steel) are facing (although they have other problems, too.)
The “contented workers” who lived in Pullman paid a price for living there – above and beyond housing costs. Pullman was originally a “village in the city” with its own commerce and codes of behavior. Not surprisingly it became the location of one of the first – and worst – labor-management clashes of the 19th Century.
Interesting info, G. I didn’t know about the new property tax caps.
I was also a resident of Cal City for a little while (crazy place filled with prostitutes and detritus) and East Chicago (during the tire fire!), and Whiting was a much nicer place.
Location-wise, I did like Whiting’s proximity to the Skyway and to rail lines: You could realistically be downtown in 25 minutes (driving), even with a little traffic. Much better than NW or W burbs …
“The recent prop tax caps in IN will most likely force Whiting to cease existence”
But the BP plant will remain? 🙁
What strikes me about this property is what a perfectly logical solution it is for a specific purpose – well designed and well build housing for people without a great deal of money. Still – you get a REAL house, on a lot with a real yard, and in a location that is close to your workplace (some would say too close). Appropriate for an urban environment. I have a great deal of respect for Habitate for Humanity, but I sure wish they’d look at this property before they plunk down more of the suburban-style ranch homes on the south and west sides of the city.
“Look at the facade of this place, which was built to house the lowest rung of Pullman workers. It’s dignified, asthetically pleasing. Some (me included) would even call it pretty.
Now compare to the facade of every piece of crap condo three flat put up in the last ten years. Neighborhood eyesores.
I struggle with what is more remarkable. That developers were so crass or that so many people were willing to buy those eyesores.”
Dooooooode very well said, and applaud you for your view.
just think this was built in 1882 and still rolling, and cinderblock three flats built 3 years ago have more problems than a mute kanye west.
if i get a chance tonight i think i still have a sweet history link for you’s on my ipod.
“The “contented workers” who lived in Pullman paid a price for living there – above and beyond housing costs.”
CCE: When Pullman had to cut costs, he reduced salaries at the factory. However, he did not lower the rent he charged those same workers.
“Look at the facade of this place, which was built to house the lowest rung of Pullman workers. It’s dignified, asthetically pleasing. Some (me included) would even call it pretty.
Now compare to the facade of every piece of crap condo three flat put up in the last ten years. Neighborhood eyesores.
I struggle with what is more remarkable. That developers were so crass or that so many people were willing to buy those eyesores.”
Follow the money. Developers who walked away with thousands in profit, powers that be who saw higher tax revenues, and buyers who got sucked into the idea that the property would always increase in value.
“Follow the money. Developers who walked away with thousands in profit, powers that be who saw higher tax revenues, and buyers who got sucked into the idea that the property would always increase in value.”
Agreed. But it’s still surprising to me that people don’t put limits on the profit motive. Especially the buyers. Maybe they HOPED they would make money. But they KNEW they would have to come home every day and look at their ugly ass building!
And now we all have to look at those buildings for a long time. I think this is why I get pissed when people scoff at the idea of someone paying $500k for a workers cottage in Bucktown. I think we’re lucky if people are willing to do that. If there weren’t a few hold outs during the boom (i.e., whoever owns that house we talked about the other day on Cortland) then all those workers cottages would have turned into cinder block debtors prisons.
Thank you Sabrina for posting this! I think it is a wonderful home, and I hope that it opens some people’s eyes to lesser known neighborhoods in Chicago. I must disagree with Endora though. While Pullman is no Lakeview, I think it is a stretch to call it the worst neighborhood in the city. Hopefully we can all agree Englewood, West Englewood, Auburn, Austin and others are far worse than Pullman, no?
I encourage everyone to go to Pullman when they have the October home tours. It’s fun and very informative. (And yes- we walked around the neighborhood and no one got shot.) The homeowners are fiercely loyal to the area.
The bad thing for the neighborhood is that there really isn’t any retail or restaurants nearby (except a McDonald’s). You have to drive everywhere, unfortunately. But there is something special and unique about the neighborhood.
“But they KNEW they would have to come home every day and look at their ugly ass building!”
They didn’t have to look at it. They were mesmerized instead by the interiors: 42″ maple cabinets, hardwood floors, granite countertops, SS appliances, jacuzzi tub, place to put the flatscreen TV and weber grill. I don’t think many paid attention to the outsides.
Yea, George Pullman friend of the workingman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Strike
I second Sabrina’s suggestion to go to Pullman for the tour. The Market Building square is an incredible public space (and stood in for East Germany in a movie). Roseland exists because Pullman workers wanted to a) drink, b) not have to live by Geo. Pullmans rules and c) own their own homes, which they couldn’t in Pullman.
It’s been my understanding that South Pullman (with the Hotel, etc) is fairly stable, lots of leather/bear pride flags out for the house tour. North Pullman less so. I think most people are native south siders or people who work in the south burbs and don’t want crazy commutes, yet easy access (Metra Electric is right there as is the South Shore Line and the expressway’s are easy access too) to the city.
Sold for 120K on 8/30/11 after 270 days on the market.