A Discovery!
See where the plaster is missing on the wall?
A lot of it was loose. It could not be anchored back in place as plaster bits had fallen behind the loose sections. So I removed the loose bits.
And to my astonishment discovered that a single gas/electric sconce had once been in this location! The gas nipple was later turned 90 degrees, and buried in the wall.
Golly!
I will, of course, bring new wiring to this location although the new “temp” wall will cover over the sconce location. However, when the wall is later taken down, it will be effortless to reinstall a sconce in this location.
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What is quite interesting indeed is that it’s not notated on the blueprints for the second floor. Actually…neither are any of the sconces built into the mantel locations…
I would not be surprised to find one in the same location on the opposite side of the octagon where it opens into the room on the south wall.
Strange.
The location does make some sense. If there were a pair of sconces flanking the mantel, then this sconce position and the one at the right side of the mantel would be symmetrical relative to the octagon. Is there perhaps a similar arrangement it the round bedroom with a pair flanking the mantel and then a third on the opposite side of the round bay?
What a great clue hidden in the wall.
If walls could talk…and they sometimes do. In your case, the Cross House walls are sort of an old-house version of a Chatty Cathy doll. While the temp wall might block the original spot, I had an idea; what about a pair of arm-sconces on the two angled segments of the temp wall? It doesn’t appear that night stands are an option, and if you installed a pair of period swing arm lights just before the angle meets the corner, they would allow occupants to read in bed without using the chandelier or needing a floor lamp. Just an idea…
So amazing to continue to find clues to how the house once was.
So exciting to find these discoveries now and then. I wonder what other secrets are still awaiting your discovery.
That is a cool find.
Are you compiling annotated copies of the original drawings or sketches to document these little details that will be later obscured?
Seth, the new discovery will not be obscured. I am bringing new wiring to it. After the temp wall is removed this will be obvious.