The Commission on Chicago Landmarks, part of the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, approved the nomination of Wooden Alley, located at 1535 N. Astor St., between Astor St. and State Pkwy., for recognition by the National Register for Historic Places.
Built in 1909, Wooden Alley, which is located next to the coach house of the archdiocese property, is one of two remaining alleys paved with Nicholson wood blocks, developed in Boston in 1848. The year it was built eight other Chicago alleys were built similar to it; today only one other wood block alley remains, located at 2100 N. Hudson St., which is not as well preserved.
Nicholson type paving is small blocks of wood laid end to end in parallel rows over a prepared roadbed of tar planks. Spaces are left between the blocks to allow for drainage. The wood muffled the pounding sound of horse hooves and rolling wagons.
Cities began using other paving methods around the turn of the 20th century, after the company that invented wood block paving sued cities for copying the look that characterized New England. As time went on, stone paving became more durable and practical.
“This alley is in remarkably good condition,” said Madeleine Metzler, a graduate student at Loyola studying the management of historic resources. “This is an important piece of Chicago history to preserve because it represents late 19th century paving technology.”
At the time, it cost $3,343.96 to construct the alley. During the period, public works projects were funded by the surrounding properties because they received the most benefit from its use. Most likely, the archdiocese paid for it.
The lumber industry in Chicago was large at the turn of the 20th century, making wood block paving the most economical choice of paving.
Recognition in the National Registry of Historic Places would place the alley with the many other historic sites in Chicago. If significant changes were to be made, they would have to be reviewed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and City Hall. The recommendation will now go to the State Historic Preservation Office for review.
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