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. ->