Historic Design Consulting LLC

I NEED SOME HELP FROM MY HISTORY PEEPS! I’m amusing myself by finding people on these railroad passes, but I can’t figure this one out. It’s the earliest pass my father had, and the Des Moines Valley RR Superintendent Milo Smith who issued it was easy to identify (very much an early Iowa mucky muck). However, due to the script, I can’t figure out to whom the pass was given. I think his name was Baillie, and what appears to be Esq after his name suggests he was an attorney. Can anyone figure this out??? Thanks!

We are still going through dad’s railroad collection, and these two passes are the stars for this morning. Passes were granted to railroad employees and officials from other companies so they could enjoy unlimited, yearly passenger service. The first is an 1873 pass from the Burlington Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Ry. The BCR&M was organized in 1868 and became the BCR&N in 1878. It partnered with the St. Louis Keokuk & Northwestern Ry, which was a CB&Q Ry predecessor, to provide passenger service on to St. Louis, MO.

This is one of those hoary old myths that just won’t die. I just encountered this again on social media, and will try (again!) to set the record straight. Chimneys were placed to suit the arrangement of rooms and walls below, and were bent in the attic to emerge from the roof at the best spot. This could be for many reasons, often due to the roof’s framing and peak or prevailing wind. It was intentional and not a mistake. Certainly not to keep witches out, despite what you will see on social media.

Another bit of nostalgia. We found this receipt book in my father’s things. He grew up on a farm just south of Woodland, IA and this book came one of the stores in the tiny town. Today there’s virtually nothing left of Woodland aside from a few relics like this. Even memories of Woodland fade as people of my father’s generation pass away.

What’s better than making some bolection molding??? Using hand tools to make some bolection molding. 😉

We are back at the bay window project and I am replicating the original finish on the new lath and plaster. This is one of those things that seems so simple but isn’t. You have to get the mud the correct consistency, apply the correct amount and manipulate it like the old plasterer did. One skill from wood graining that is especially useful is the ability to create a random finish. Regular brush marks stick out like a sore thumb.

One way to get the pants scared off you is to have a router collet break, fly apart and hit you on the hand at 15,000 rpm. Even when you’re trying your best to be safe things can still happen. Thankfully the bit stayed under the router base, so no real damage, although I’ve got a really sore thumb. 🫤

This week’s architectural term is BALLOON FRAMING. This is a term I am revisiting, as it comes up frequently but isn’t always understood. Balloon framing is a (largely) 19th century framing method where vertical wall studs run continuously from the foundation sill all the way up to the roof plate, spanning multiple floors. Floor joists are are supported on ribbon, which is let into or nailed onto the studs. The photo shows a home with original balloon framing and a modern, platform framed addition to the rear.

I’m checking the measurements from the column base one last time. It’s a challenge since half of the base for this 20’ ionic column had become compost and carpenter ant food 🐜. The bottom torus is 33 1/2” wide, which is a pretty big donut, and the scotia is 3 1/4” thick. Going to need some big timber!