Plumbing in the Region

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        Hammond and Calumet City differed from the more industrial cities.  Not surprisingly, these cities contained higher percentages of single-family dwellings and were more likely to be occupied by owners.  Over 80% of tenant occupied residences and nearly 90% of owner occupied units had private plumbing in Hammond and Calumet City. This was due to the 1920’s housing boom.  It concentrated in more residential areas than industrial, such as Calumet City and Hammond.  These newer houses were one-story, single family houses that were owner occupied.  By 1940, these neighborhoods represented 60% in Calumet City and Hammond compared to 40% in Gary, East Chicago, Chicago Heights. 

Whiting fit in neither category of the other cities.  Despite being heavily industrialized, Whiting had a higher percentage of private plumbing compared to the other industrial cities.  The case in Whiting was that their housing was more expensive and modern.

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