Fire Escape…Gone Missing
In looking at old Google street views of the Cross House, I saw this image from 2012, which shows the three-story fire escape.
A close-up.
A 1999 image, just after Bob and Debbi Rodak purchase the house. (Courtesy Bob Rodak)
A 2001 image. (Courtesy Bob Rodak)
The fire escape was a beautiful piece of industrial art. Solid, and nicely detailed in an industrial way. It also allowed good emergency egress from the top floor.
It was both thrilling and terrifying climbing it. It just kept going up and up and up. And SO narrow. One clutched onto both handrails.
But I couldn’t wait to remove it. This was done soon after I purchased the house in 2014. The previous owner, Bob, was happy to dismantle the stair so he could reinstall it for a treehouse he was building.
The stair hugely blighted the house. It overwhelmed the fabulous porte-cochère, and just visually killed the whole south facade, making the house look more akin to a tired rooming house than an elegant Queen Anne.
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omg the photos from 1999 .. shocking and really a reminder of how close to the brink the house was.
You are a hero Ross !
Bob Rodak, the previous owner, really saved the house. He moved in when it was still boarded up!
I am building on his work.
I echo Betsy. The 1999 photos were so tragic. Thankfully that is the past.
Ross,
I’m so sad to have reached the end.
I should introduce myself. I found you through Old House Dreams, my very favorite blog almost ever. I’ve read all about your adventures with this beyond amazing house in chronological order (within the last week) & with no peeking ahead (believe me-it was hard).
I feel as if I’ve gotten to know you a little along the way as well as your beautiful house.
I didn’t quite get your pretty damn anal attention to detail. At first. I slowly began to understand.
I didn’t get your sense of humor. At first. I laugh along with you now.
I want to thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. The discoveries, the *GASP unveiling of the latest window or painted section, & the tough stuff too.
I, too, feel that it’s important to protect the original integrity of the houses charms & yet have a home that doesn’t feel like a grandma house. I’ve often dreamed of having my very own old treasure & furnishing it with quirky modern style. It can be done!
I love your vision for THE house and I wait in breathless anticipation for every new detail. (Especially in the Carriage House! I would quit my job in a minute to come live in your beautiful little carriage house.)
I live close by and I hope to be able to visit someday soon.
Sincerely,
Shelley
Thank you, Shelley!
What a wonderful note to read!
I, too, hope you can come visit!
I keep coming back to this post to stare at the 1999 picture of the house and then at the most recent picture. AMAZING! Thank you for all you do for this beautiful old lady. You can’t save them all but you can save this one and you are doing it so beautifully!
Also, how do you find old street views? I have been tooling around with it but I can’t figure out a way.
Now I would like to see the tree-house.
Me, too!