Thekla is an interesting street name and probably comes from an early saint, which you can read about here. In fact, most of the “east-west” streets are named after women’s given names.
As usual, the houses on the first block west of Riverview Boulevard are in styles such as the Arts and Crafts style, as would be expected in the 1910s and 20s.
This block is a good example where the houses are in good shape and occupied by owners.
When I looked up the owners of bombed out and abandoned houses on other streets, there was a unanimous result: out of state owners. What are they thinking?!
And now, we see a rarity for the area: a two story brick two-family house.
Again, like we saw yesterday, we see houses that look to be too old to be from 1906. I suspect there might have been an earlier addition that was resurveyed by Pitzman.
There is also a pair of brick houses, one slightly older than the other.
Hi, Chris. Been enjoying your tour of Walnut Park West. My mum grew up in Walnut Park East, near St. Matthew Lutheran church., in a two-flat on Plover east of Thekla; other relatives lived across the alley on Wren. I spent many childhood holidays in that neighbourhood, including every Thankgsiving a the home of my great aunt at 5464 Wren. the area is heartbreakingly dilapidated now, if Google Street View is any guide.
Thanks for reading! I always love stories from people who actually live(d) in these neighborhoods.