MONITOR HOUSES

In the 1890s, Monitor Drill built approximately 12 houses for its employees on company property [on Lake Street between Louisiana and Hampshire; later site of Cardinal Glass/Golden Auto Parts] south of the railroad tracks. It turned out that the houses had been built in a swamp and became known as "12 in the hole" for their constant flooding. They may have been located in an area known as Skunk Hollow. 

After about two years, in about 1893, they were moved up Oxford Street to Colorado Ave. and 37th Street in the "Center" neighborhood, then also known as "Quality Heights" and now known as Elmwood. At that time, before the railroad tracks were put in in 1912, the map shows that Oxford went through to Skunk Hollow. 

Initial purchasers of these homes included the Ainsworths, the Rehfields, the Yorgys, Joe Williams, H. Freeman, Oscar Hembre, George Williams, Larsons, Mead, George Wilbur and Homer Jones.

Only a few of these homes are still standing. Many had to be demolished (including 6323 W. 37th Street and 3700 Colorado), and have been replaced by large modern homes that give "Quality Heights" an unusual mix of housing. Some remaining homes can be seen on the 3700 block of Colorado Avenue.

The following is a sketch of former Monitor Houses on 37th Street, drawn by Mark Linde.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.