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West by the River Historic District

West Avenue Historic District
Elyria, OH, 44035
West Ave. Historic District
West by the River

West By the River Historic District

West by the River Historic District

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304 West Avenue

Circa 1849-1850.

A transitional Greek Revival/Italianate frame house featuring a central entrance, corner pilasters, bracketed cornice, and ornamental iron roof cresting. Prominent Elyrians who resided here were John Childs, builder and Charles Smith, jeweler and watchmaker. Originally a Greek Revival, the home was modernized in 1909. The porch was added and some windows. Currently owned by the Lorain County Historical Society.

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307 West Avenue

The Thomas W. Laundon House was built in 1837 with Italian Villa modifications added in 1868. Distinctive features include the stucco exterior, decorative hoodmoulds over the original windows, bracketed cornice and decorative front porch.It is situated on a large lot enclosed by a high wrought iron fence.

The mansion was designed by an unknown architect in a Tuscan Renaissance Revival. It was the home of Thomas W. Laundon, a very successful businessman/merchant in Elyria. The house after being vacant for a period of time the Lorain County Historical Society took over ownership of the mansion to save it from demolition. The house has since been restored and is used as a single family home. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places, it was designated October 21, 1975.  

 More information on this Home

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308 West Ave.

A gabled-ell frame house. Currently owned by Lorain County Historical Society.

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312 West Ave.

A gabled-ell frame house. Currently owned by Lorain County Historical Society.

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315 West Ave.

The Addison Lord House

Built 1904

It is a fine example of the Shingle style. It features irregular massing, narrow horizontal siding on the first floor, shingle siding on the second floor and in the gable ends and a deep front porch. A wrought iron fence encloses the yard. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places, designated on December 9, 1999. Addison Lord was a Lorain County Sheriff and an incorporator of the Elyria Telephone Co.

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317 West Ave.

A late 19th century vernacular residence with a highly decorative front porch. Built in 1887. Currently contains 3 apartments.

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318 West Ave.

Built 1875

The W.E. Miller House is an early example of English-inspired architecture. It features half timbering on the second floor and roof dormers, projecting bay windows and an ornate front entrance. The first floor is covered with horizontal wood siding. The house was originally a Gothic Revival style but Miller remodeled the house sometime after 1895 to its current Tudor style. Mr Miller served as Director of the National Bank of Elyria. He also served as Safety Service Director for the City of Elyria under Mayor Thomas Folger. Mr Miller passed away in 1909. In 1913 the Elyria YWCA purchased the former Miller property, a beautiful mansion on West Avenue, as its residence hall.  The "Old Barn" behind the house was used for meetings and dances until it was replaced by Holly Hall in 1952.

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321 West Avenue

The impressive Second Empire style house at 321 West Avenue was built in 1879 for the family of Edward French. Edward owned and operated a furniture business in Cleveland. The Second Empire style is only rarely observed in Lorain County. The most visible evidence of this style is the presence of a Mansard roof where steep slopes run from the primary flat roof down to the top of the second level where the gutters are located. The Mansard portion will have dormers, often with rounded tops, and is most often covered in slate.

Early in the life of this house (circa 1930), the depressed economy dictated converting portions of the house for rentals. It also served as a group home for Betterway, Inc. During the era of the West by the River Historic District, an effort has been made to restore the house to a single family residence. The current owners are Bill and Janet Bird of Elyria.

Restoration efforts undertaken by the Birds have focused on the exterior and include painting on the sides and upper portion of the house, repointing the chimneys and adding decorative corbels, re-roofing the lower rear portion of the house, repointing the foundation stone, and repair of the porch and garage roofs.

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326 West Ave.

A frame late 19th century residence with Italianate elements.

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329 West Avenue

The William Stacy Miller Home

Built 1911

Exhibits Craftsman influences; and including the wood siding, and the front porch with its stone base and roof supported by substantial kneebraces. William Miller was Chairman of Lorain County Savings & Trust. The house was once split into 4 apartments and is again a single family home.

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 Before Restoration

Before Restoration

333 West Avenue

The Frederick Miller House, built in 1895, is in the Mediterranean Revival style. It retains its stucco exterior and tile-covered roof.

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Before

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401 West Avenue

A well-preserved Queen Anne style house. Prominent Elyria attorney Quincy Gilmore resided here.

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406 West Avenue

The Walter Nichols House is an excellent intact example of the Italianate style. The original front porch, carved wooden double entrance doors and bracketed cornice are intact. A decorative wrought iron fence separates the front yard from the sidewalk. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places, designated on August 13, 1979. Walter Nichols was a mason and another prominent Elyrian who resided here was George Crisp, owner of Peerless Laundry; Crisp-Henson Carriage Shop and was superintendent of the Elyria Water Works

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407 West Ave.

Circa 1896

A Queen Anne vernacular style home.

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409 West Avenue

A Queen Anne style home.

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410 West Ave.

A Shingle style home exhibiting massing typical of the Queen Anne style and with a Bungalow form. Front porch has Doric columns. Prominent Elyrian Charles Merthe lived here, owner of Merthe Department Store.

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411 West Avenue

Built between 1893 and 1897 per Sanborn Maps. A Queen Anne style home.

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June 2, 1989
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412 West Ave.

An excellent example of the Shingle style. Built between 1904-1910 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

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415 West Avenue

A simple gable front frame house with an Eastlake front porch and gable details.

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417 West Avenue

Built between 1904-1910 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

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418 West Avenue

Asaph R. Jones House

Built 1904

An excellent example of the Shingle style exhibiting massing typical of the Queen Anne style.It has Doric columns on the front porch. Prominent Elyrian Asaph Jones, a mayor of Elyria from 1917-1923, resided here. He and his family resided in the home from 1906-1945. From the 1950’s until 1996, the house was divided into 8 apartments. It has been a single family home again since 1996.

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421 West Avenue

The Arthur G. Smith House

Built 1916-1917

It is a Colonial Revival (Adam) style. Currently owned by Sheila Massimiani. More Information

November 2022
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 Before

Before

422 West Ave.

Charles H Jackson House

Circa 1902

Excellent example of the Shingle style exhibiting massing typical of a Queen Anne style. Built by Charles H. Jackson, an insurance agent. At one point the home was divided into apartments. It is now a single family home again.

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2010's

425 West Ave.

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427 West Ave.

Built between 1900 and 1904 per Sanborn Maps and the Census. It was owned by local attorney Frank Stetson and his family from about 1920 until 1960. It was a single family home until about 1962. Currently a quadplex.

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June 1970
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June 1960

for sale ad

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428 West Ave.

The George Crisp House is a brick Italianate structure with a handsome entrance and simple window detailing. Dated from circa 1860's. 

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2010's
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429 West Ave.

Built before 1893 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

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435 West Ave.

Exhibits characteristics of the Italianate style with double doors with transom, pedimented window architraves and wide overhanging eaves with brackets. Circa 1860's. 

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Late 1980's
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503 West Avenue

The E.M. Rice House.  

This house was built in 1910 for Elmer M. & Carrie Rice. Architect was Paul Rissmann. It is an American Foursquare style home. Currently owned by Matt and Shannon Swabb. More Information

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323 Middle Ave.

Currently the Dicken Funeral Home. Built in 1863, this family dwelling served as the Green Lantern Tea Room during the 30's. It became a funeral home in 1939 and has been family owned and operated ever since. This is in the Queen Anne style and features wavy and fishscale siding, projecting bays and decorative wood trim. 

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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Staircase / photo: www.dickenfuneralhome.com
Staircase / photo: www.dickenfuneralhome.com

409 Middle Ave.

Built in the early 1900's, the Colonial Apartments was among the most prestigious in the city.  The previously well-maintained complex, featuring huge pillars and comfortable balconies, overlooks Middle Avenue near the heart of town. Constructed of brick and 5 stories in height, the most distinctive features are the tier of front porches supported by enormous Ionic columns and an interior skylit lightcourt which provide natural light into the staircase and interior hallways. This building is in the Colonial Revival style. Sadly the current owner is a ‘slumlord’ and no longer maintains the property.

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2010's
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340 3rd St.

This charming apartment building dates from the mid 20th century and is constructed of masonry with stucco and half timber elements on the facade. It encloses a landscaped courtyard. 

October 2022
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2010's
2010's

354 3rd St.

A frame late 19th century house vernacular in form with some decorative ornamentation.  Currently owned by Lorain County Historical Society.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's

356 3rd St.

A frame late 19th century house vernacular in form with some decorative ornamentation.  Currently owned by Lorain County Historical Society.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's

416 3rd St.

An early 20th century house that exhibits chatacteristics of the Colonial Revival style with its symmetrical facade, gabled dormers and modillion block cornice. This was the home of a prominent Elyrian, D. Lewis who owned a dry goods store on Broad Street.

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420 3rd St.

An early 20th century bungalow with a porch across the front of the house and a roof dormer. A home of a prominent Elyrian, Jack Parsch, owner of Parsch Lumber and Coal Co. 

October 2022
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2010's
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318 Holly Ln

 A Craftsman-style former carriage house that is now a residence. Built between 1910-1915  per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

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312 4th St.

This was the home of a prominent Elyrian, James Seward, president of Elyria's Savings and Deposit & Trust Co.

 October 2022

October 2022

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2010’s

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315 4th St.

A Queen Anne style residence that has irregular massing, a front porch and its original slate roof.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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316 4th Street

Circa 1902

A frame gable end house that features a decorative two story porch. Was the home of prominent Elyrians, the O'Donnells, owners of a wallpaper and paint store in the Turner Block. In 1991, exterior work was completed. The porch was rebuilt and Carpenter Gothic embellishments were added.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

 After Restoration

After Restoration

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318 4th St.

A house with Colonial Revival elements, including a handsome front porch with Ionic columns and a decoratative balustrade. 

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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324 4th St.

This house exhibits characteristics of the Colonial Revival style including the symetrical facade, multi-paned windows, gabled roofline and side porch supported by Ionic columns. 

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November 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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327 4th St.

 October 2022

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2010’s

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328 4th St.

The Pasadena Apartment building is a handsome two story brick building with a central entrance, stacked brick front porches with a tile roofline and a more recent rear addition. 

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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329 4th Street

The Baus House

Circa 1850

A late 19th century frame residence with the gable end facing the street and a decorative front and side porch. The woodwork is typical Greek architecture. The six over six windows are original. The home is one of the earliest in the neighborhood. The Baus family lived in the home from about 1920-1971.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

 Before Restoration

Before Restoration

331 4th St.

A frame early 20th century residence with a shingled front gable and porch across the front.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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332 4th St.

The Luxor apartments. The only non-contributing property in the District. It is an example of poor planning of urban redevelopment during housing shortages in the mid-20th century. 

 November 2022

November 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

333 4th St.

An early 20th century residence constructed of a brick with an unusual three-dimensional surface. It has a large roof dormer and a brick porch across the front. Was the home of a promiinent Elyrian, Bud Taylor, later owner of Merthe's Department Store.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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337 4th St.

A shingle-covered vernacular residence which probably dates from the late 19th century. 

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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339 4th Street

 October 2022

October 2022

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2010’s

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340 4th St.

A frame Italianate residence which retains its original 2/2 windows, pedimented window trim and wide eaves. The front porch was added in the early 20th century.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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343 4th St.

An early 20th century frame house with steeply pitched gable roof and shingle siding. A gabled one story projection on the facade with an open porch. Built between 1925-1933 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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344 4th St.

 2010’s

2010’s

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345 4th Street

An early 20th century frame house with steeply pitched gable roof and shingle siding. A gabled one story projection on the facade with an enclosed entrance vestibule. Built between 1925-1933 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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346 4th St.

Built between 1915-1925 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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350 4th St.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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352 4th St.

A fine Queen Anne residence with a Palladian window in the gable end, original siding and original decoratative front porch.

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October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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355 4th St.

A well-preserved example of turn-of-the-century architecture with restrained Queen Anne elements. Built between 1910-1915 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

 November 2022

November 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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356 4th St.

A frame gabled-ell house.

 October 2022

October 2022

 2010’s

2010’s

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313 5th St./Barres Ln

Located on Barres Lane.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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315 5th St.

October 2023
October 2023
October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
July 2, 2004 Chronicle Telegram
July 2, 2004 Chronicle Telegram

317 5th St.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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325 5th St.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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329 5th St./Barres Ln.

Located on Barres Lane.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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331 5th St.

Former home of the Lorain County Historical Society from 1964-1975. Colonial Revival style frame residence. This home was the residence of a prominent Elyrian, Albert Hannaford who owned Elyria Hardware.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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333 5th St.

A fine brick Italianate house with an early 20th century hood over the front door, a handsome Shingle-style carriage house at the rear and a wrought iron fence enclosing the yard.

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October 2022
2010's
2010's
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339 5th St.

A fine Italianate that retains its original wood siding, decoratative hoodmoulds and bracketed cornice. A two-story carriage house is located at the rear.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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345 5th St.

Built before 1893 per Sanford Fire Insurance Maps.

October 2022
October 2022
2010's
2010's
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 From this picture down, these are approximately 1950's & 1960's era. 

From this picture down, these are approximately 1950's & 1960's era. 

 In this photo you can see the carriage house in the back.

In this photo you can see the carriage house in the back.

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 This is a view of the northwest side taken from the rear. The staircase landing windows are the offset windows on the side.

This is a view of the northwest side taken from the rear. The staircase landing windows are the offset windows on the side.

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 Front porch

Front porch

 Front porch

Front porch

 This is the carriage house which no longer exists.

This is the carriage house which no longer exists.

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 This is the trellis that can be seen in the carriage house pictures.

This is the trellis that can be seen in the carriage house pictures.

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355 5th St.

Built between 1897-1904 per Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

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October 2022
2010's
2010's
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Back to District Homes
October 2022
3
304 West Avenue
19
307 West Avenue
October 2022
3
308 West Ave.
October 2022
3
312 West Ave.
October 2022
8
315 West Ave.
October 2022
3
317 West Ave.
October 2022
8
318 West Ave.
October 2022
4
321 West Avenue
October 2022
3
326 West Ave.
October 2022
3
329 West Avenue
October 2022
4
333 West Avenue
October 2022
5
401 West Avenue
October 2022
7
406 West Avenue
October 2022
3
407 West Ave.
409 west.JPG
4
409 West Avenue
October 2022
2
410 West Ave.
October 2022
9
411 West Avenue
October 2022
3
412 West Ave.
October 2022
8
415 West Avenue
October 2022
6
417 West Avenue
October 2022
6
418 West Avenue
November 2022
8
421 West Avenue
October 2022
2
422 West Ave.
October 2022
3
425 West Ave.
 November 2022
6
427 West Ave.
October 2022
3
428 West Ave.
429 west.JPG
3
429 West Ave.
October 2022
4
435 West Ave.
October 2022
9
503 West Avenue
 October 2022
4
323 Middle Ave.
October 2022
5
409 Middle Ave.
October 2022
2
340 3rd St.
October 2022
2
354 3rd St.
October 2022
2
356 3rd St.
October 2022
3
416 3rd St.
October 2022
3
420 3rd St.
2
318 Holly Ln
 October 2022
3
312 4th St.
 October 2022
3
315 4th St.
 October 2022
4
316 4th Street
 October 2022
3
318 4th St.
 November 2022
3
324 4th St.
 October 2022
3
327 4th St.
 October 2022
3
328 4th St.
 October 2022
3
329 4th Street
 October 2022
3
331 4th St.
 November 2022
2
332 4th St.
 October 2022
4
333 4th St.
 October 2022
3
337 4th St.
 October 2022
4
339 4th Street
 October 2022
3
340 4th St.
 October 2022
3
343 4th St.
 2010’s
2
344 4th St.
 October 2022
5
345 4th Street
 October 2022
3
346 4th St.
 October 2022
3
350 4th St.
 October 2022
3
352 4th St.
 November 2022
3
355 4th St.
 October 2022
3
356 4th St.
October 2022
3
313 5th St./Barres Ln
October 2023
4
315 5th St.
October 2022
3
317 5th St.
October 2022
3
325 5th St.
October 2022
3
329 5th St./Barres Ln.
October 2022
8
331 5th St.
October 2022
3
333 5th St.
October 2022
4
339 5th St.
October 2022
17
345 5th St.
October 2022
3
355 5th St.
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