The Back View by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I don’t know what the front of this building looks like; I’m sure I’ve seen it, once or twice, and I’m sure that what one sees from the street differs radically from what one sees when emerging from the Pink Line el station in back. I’m sure that it’s not a home improvement store. I don’t know what purpose the interior of this building serves now, but I’m fairly certain that it has nothing to do with paint, lumber, or anything else related to the home-improvement industry.
This is one of the first photos taken since moving from Chicago to Berwyn, and I’m sure that there will be other photos of this establishment: provided that it’s worth photographing. That’s the thing about the back ends of buildings: all-too-often, they’re exceedingly more interesting than the front facades. Chicago (like most cities) is known for its rear ends, backsides, and architectural derrières: most of them are visible from the elevated trains snaking their way through the city, and it’s nice to see that Berwyn is keeping up with its larger, louder, somewhat scruffier neighbor, though there are fewer trains giving el’s-eye views of…well…backsides.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.

Comments (12)
the backside does provide a bit of a mystery. I'm not sure of what the original two larger re-bricked spots are, perhaps they were doors? rough measurements suggest that the larger sections were just over 75 inches tall - maybe there was an emergency exit
it is an interesting photograph - leading to some interesting speculation perhaps?
let mine be the first in hopefully a long list of surmises
Very interesting.:)
I like this, it whispers of a forgotten history. Places like this have always drawn my attention. Fantastic capture.
Beautiful image !
I really love this, Chip! Fascinating look back to an earlier era.
Seems there first have been no windows, then commercial stuff on the empty wall. Later on, someone made windows and later again they were blocked with new bricks. Oh, if just the wall could talk :-) Love this capture. So many details and words to read.
Perhaps there could have been doors or windows at the back of this building. Could this have been the front of the building before and now it is the back side of the building. Superb capture my friend. God bless.
I love these sort of pics, they sometime take you back to your childhood :o))) xx
Oh the many, many jokes (of a questionable nature, of course) that one could make about looking at a building's backside… Fascinating textures and patterns in the bricks, though, especially the combination of newer bricks, the partially-removed signage, etc. Very cool!
Looks like it's been repurposed a number of times, perhaps; very cool find!
wonderful
What a terrific find! The advertising on the back of the building is still selling to el-riding passengers even though there is nothing left to sell. Love it!