I realized that my previous visit to the two blocks of Texas Avenue between Arsenal and Pestalozzi in September of 2019 (Crittenden cuts through there, but it’s practically just a glorified alley in Benton Park West) did not do this incredible stretch of street justice. In fact, the corner storefront, above and below, right on the northeast corner with Arsenal, is pretty spectacular by itself.

Moving north there are some great Italianate houses waiting renovation.

The street grid is slightly bent here from the two old French farm fields that come up from the river, and two hundred years later, they still affect houses that sit at an angle.

This massive Second Empire building shows the density of this neighborhood.

The house below illustrates an incredibly rare and early brick house form: it is wood frame but then the spaces in between are filled with brick. I know of one other house that still stands in the Benton Park neighborhood to the east built like this. I can’t imagine that it is terribly strong or durable long term.

This is an interesting story. The house was destroyed by fire, if I remember correctly, but the foundation as you might have noticed, is above ground. It was most likely built before street grading, and when Texas was finally graded, the house found its foundations above grade, so they put in the front door in what had been the basement or cellar.

This Second Empire house hasn’t changed much since last year.

I love this corner storefront and apartment building combination at Pestalozzi. The curve in the brick is not something you see anymore.

The alley house below is incredibly rare. and it is wonderful that it has survived, in between Texas and Ohio avenues.