DELTA’S MODEL BLOCK

Researched by Jim Wetzel

The model block in Delta consists of an entire city block bounded by Fourth and Fifth Streets and Grand and Howard Streets. The block was developed by the Stockham brothers and Millard Fairlamb beginning about April 1907. With 32 city lots in the block, the original plan was to build 16 single family homes, mostly identical. At some point, the plan was altered, and only 13 identical houses were built, all one-story, along with another four two-story houses at each of the four corners. However, only three of the two-story houses were built, and two of them were on Fourth Street, with the third at the Grand Ave / Fifth Street corner. Only ten of the thirteen one-story homes were identical – or nearly so. In the ensuing 100 years or so, modifications have been made to most of them, so that it is difficult to see the “similarities” of their original construction. In the center of the alley running north-south through the center of the block was a fountain. It was the only alley in Delta that was named – called Fountain Street.

A sidewalk surrounding the block used to contain a section describing the origin of the project. Placed at the alley entrance on Fourth Street, it read: THIS BLOCK WAS PLANNED & BUILT BY W.B. STOCKHAM, A.H. STOCKHAM, & MILLARD FAIRLAMB.

Because of the proximity to the alley, the concrete “sign” was deteriorating due to traffic damage, so about twelve years ago, the City of Delta Historic Preservation Board arranged with two archaeologists to “excavate” the section of concrete, and to encase it in a wooden box made for the specimen, and place it in the museum courtyard. The trained archaeologists were then asked to examine the dirt under this section of sidewalk for any historic treasures which might have been left there. Nothing was found.

The cost of the entire project was estimated at about $40,000. The project included “complete drainage,” a “complete sewer system,” and a cement sidewalk around the entire block. Prior to this, there was a board sidewalk which followed Fourth and Fifth Streets. Each house was to have hot and cold water, bath, toilets, electric lights, a furnace, all painted and of up-to-date architecture. No barns or chicken coops were permitted on the premises.

Today, there are garages and other assorted out-buildings behind most of the houses. Perhaps there are chicken coops, as well. Though there is some semblance of order to the Model Block, landscaping alone makes each property unique. Two of the homes are on the City of Delta Historic Register.

The Model Block was Delta’s first major subdivision, though it never was referred to as such. One hundred and seven years ago, it was a project ahead of it’s time. Perhaps longevity was one of the design parameters.

The Model Block signature sidewalk which is now in the museum courtyard.

(Notice that the D is stamped backward 🙂 —Linda )