West side of Charles, South of North Ave, Baltimore, MD.
"North Charles Street Dwelling Improvements. - Mr. A. S. Abell is having
finished a row of six three-story mrble front and French roof dwellings
on the west side of North Charles street, south of Boundary avenue, which
are of handsome design, substantial in workmanship, and are attractive
additions to that rapidly improving section of North Baltimore. The house
at the northern end of the row, corner of a 20-foot alley, is 19 feet,
and the others are 18 feet 3 inches front; all are 66 1/2 feet deep on
150 feet lots. The cornice and moulding over outside doors and windows,
and the entire dormer windows are of marble, with ornamental carving and
heavy cresting on the mansard roofs. The windows are fitted with polished
plate glass, and there is a neat balcony at each of the first and second-story
front windows. The vestibules are of Italian and Tennessee marbles, and
have sliding doors. The interiors are in polished hard woods, in the natural
grain, and a feature is the cheerful blending of colors throughout. Sagliola
columns are at each side of the main hallways, the stairways have heavily
carved newels and ornamental balustrades, and the view on entering from
the front is quite attractive. On the main floors are, besides the hallways,
the parlor, extension and dining-rooms, with fully appointed butler's pantry
and dumb-waiter. In the upper stories are an amplitude of chambers, with
dressing-rooms attached, containing fixed wardrobes and marble-top washstands,
which, with the closets, are intended to save cost in furnishing. The exterior
walls are stripped to keep out dampness; the floors are double, and deadened
in an effectual manner on a new plan. Skylight/wells give light and ventilation
at both main and back stairways, and the chambers have interior ventilation
by means of large transoms over every door. The walls to level of joists
of the first floor are laid in hydraulic cement, to secure strength and
avoid moisture from the earth, and the basement floors are bedded in cement
and are rat proof. The hearths are laid on iron arches so that they are
fire proof as regards heating. The houses are furnished with the latest
by Wm. J. Wood & Co., improved ranges of handsome finish, and the basement
kitchens are fitted with all late improvements. The drainage of the lots
and houses is perfectly accomplished by a system of sewers, into which
house fixtures are trapped securely, and conveyed to the street sewer three
hundred feet from the buildings. Bells are in every room, and speaking
tubes for each story. Carefulness in attention to details of workmanship
has been the rule observed, with the view to securing substantial and nearly
perfect construction. Mr. Charles E. Cassell, architect and supervisor,
J. Hebert Williams superintendent of carpenter's work; Hugh Hanna did the
marble work of the fronts, Sisson & Son, vestibules, mantles and tiling;
Stevens & Foos, bricklaying; Patrick Carey, plumbing; Mr. Garretson
plastering; Mr. Wilhelm, tinning, Emmart & Wartley, painting; Mr. Krug,
iron work; Mr. Reindollar, stair-building; John Stewart, bells, tubes and
hardware; slating by Garth and Lowensten. (Baltimore Sun, 10/31/1877).
White marble. (Baltimore Sun, 2/24/1896).
Description, (Baltimore Sun, 10/31/1877).