Overview

Concrete Block House 3 is an early example of using concrete to build houses. 

• Location: 2617 3rd St North 
• Neighborhood: Hawthorne 

Historic profile

Concrete Block House 3 is an early example of using concrete to build houses. It is one of nine concrete block dwellings built in the same neighborhood in 1885. During this period, concrete was typically used on industrial or commercial buildings. It was unusual to use concrete as an exterior material on houses. Concrete looked like natural stone but cost less. 

Real estate developer William N. Holway and others formed the Union Stone and Building Company. They worked with three architects to develop this group of nine dwellings. S. Littlefield designed Concrete Block House 3. Each house cost between $2,500 to $4,500 to build. 

The houses have some of the same design features. They are 2.5 stories tall and were built for a single family to live in. The concrete blocks have flat faces and beveled edges. They have rectangular windows and multi-gable roofs with decorated dormers. On Concrete Block House 3, the concrete blocks are quoined along the corners. This means that some of the blocks stick out. The dormer on the front elevation has a diamond decoration and fish scale shingles. When the house was built, it matched the design of its neighbors, Concrete Block Houses 2 and 4.