Chickens!
This part of Spokane is thoroughly old-suburb-ish now, but it was nearly rural from 1910 to 1940, with only one house built on each block and no utilities. You can still see indications of rurality. Several pre-1950 houses still have fuel-oil tanks, and a few retain a pure country feel.

One of those time-capsule farmhouses was sold earlier this year, after a long period of being occupied but untouched. The new occupant has removed the cars and neatened up the back area, which contains a long-unused cottage; but no changes to the sprawling main house. None of the usual flip stuff.

This morning there's a change! A chicken pen right out in front, with big white healthy-looking hens pecking and squawking! Have to wonder: why the front yard? The back lot has enough space for a pony, and the unused cottage would make a good coop.

Almost seems like a dare, as in "Okay, zoning board. I got chickens here. Whatcha gonna do about it?"

Later, after a closer look: About 6 chickens of various colors, all big flashy birds. I'd say these are show-chickens, if that's a word. Maybe fighting cocks. Not plain egg-layers or fryers.

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Update March 2013: Now they've planted an organized set of young fruit trees in the front yard. 4 rows of 4 trees. Not the way you'd plant for ornamental purposes, more like starting an orchard. Looks like they're trying to build a real urban farmstead!

July 2015: For a couple years it looked like nothing was happening, and those fruit trees didn't appear to be thriving. I was afraid the place was going to fail. This year it's IMPRESSIVE. Hot weather has boosted astonishing growth in rows of sunflowers, tomatoes, corn, and other stuff in the back, and the fruit trees are flowering and growing.

June 2016: Last year's TALL crop must have been profitable. The front yard now has an expensive-looking fence to hold more chickens, and everything looks more prosperous in general.

Labels: Heimatkunde, Shack people - Cottage people

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