Eau Claire’s Street Car Pattern Effect on Land Use
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Transcript of Eau Claire’s Street Car Pattern Effect on Land Use
Eau Claire’s Street Car Pattern Effect on Land Use
By David Pinney
Street cars will service lower-income housing neighborhoods and commercial areas.
Hypothesis
Data Used
» Online City of Eau Claire assessment records˃ Build date˃ Lot size
» Chippewa Valley MuseumRecords˃ Cable car track location
» Eau Claire Historical Houses Booklet» Field Work
˃ On site analysis˃ photos
Mapping the Track• The Original Map from the
Chippewa Valley Museum• Track was completed in 1879
• The digital map I made on Google Maps
• A map highlighting the regions that were extensions• The extension into the 3rd
Ward was completed 1886
• I will be focusing on the areas of Water Street, 4th Avenue, Barstow Street, and Summit Avenue (3rd Ward addition).
Connecting Commercial Centers» The street car connected the two main
commercial/industrial centers of the time; Water Street and Barstow Street
410 Water Street-part of the historic Pioneer block
Looking downthe 4th block ofBarstow Street
Water Street Residential» Analyzing change in
lot size˃ Pre-street car this neighbor-
hood was poorer, evidenced by smaller lot size.
˃ Average Lot size increasedfrom 5558 sq. feet to 5768 sq. feet.
˃ Example lots below
2000-5000
5001-7500
7501-10000
10001-12500
12501+0
4
8
12
1851-18791880-1905
Lot Size (sq. ft.) by Build Period
740 Water StreetBuilt: 1875Lot: 2904 sq. ft.
730 Water StreetBuilt: 1887Lot: 11088 sq. ft.
4th Avenue Residential» Analyzing change in
lot size˃ Debunks initial hypothesis˃ Substantial growth in total
lots over 7500 sq. ft. following track completion.
˃ Average lot size decreased from 8202 sq. feet to 7690 sq. feet.
˃ Example lot 2000-5000
5001-7500
7501-10000
10001-12500
12501+02468
1012
1851-18791880-1905
Lot Size (sq. ft.) by Build Period
522 4th AvenueBuilt: 1871Lot: 8343 sq. ft.
Summit Ave. (3rd Ward)» Analyzing change in
lot size˃ Wealthy neighborhood˃ Economic diversity reflected
in lot size decreases˃ Average lot size increased
from 10,158 sq. feet to11,372 sq. feet.
˃ Example Lots 2000-5000
5001-7500
7501-10000
10001-12500
12501+0
4
8
12
16
1851-18851886-1905
Lot Size (sq. ft.) by Build Period
433 Summit Ave.Built: 1890Lot: 10890 sq. ft.
1328 Wilson StreetBuilt: 1905Lot: 43392 sq. ft.
Summary» Hypothesis correct for commercial buildings
˃ Two major centers on original line (Barstow & Water)+ Rarely found outside these areas
» Hypothesis correct (initially) for housing˃ Original line connects poorer Water Street to commercial centers and
industry+ Lot size increases for build dates after 1879
˃ 4th Avenue experiences shrinking lot sizes+ Increased development coupled with proximity to poor Water
Street˃ 3rd Ward remains exclusive
+ Home to Eau Claire’s wealthy residents who get what they want+ Street car had taken on a romantic image.
Sources» Eau Claire, City of. "Free Property Search." City of Eau Claire Online
Assessment Records (2012): Web. 5 Jun 2012. » Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, Eau Claire Landmarks:
Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, WI. Eau Claire: 1986. 18-33.
» Epp, Robert E. Interurban Electric Railway Study: Chippewa Valley Electric Railway Company. Wisconsin State University Stevens Point, Stevens Point. 1965.
» Unsure how to cite this last one.It was a compilation of articlesfrom newspapers concerning thestreet car that was put together bythe Chippewa Valley Museum. Here’s a picture. ->