Unlike Gary, our neighbor to the East, abandoned buildings with deteriorated conditions are a rare sight in Hammond, in part due to the stronger economy in Hammond that has lead to a much smaller population loss over the last half century, but also because the city is vigilant in curbing blight. The positive effect is that even the worst neighborhoods are well kept compared to other cities in the rust belt, however it also has resulted in the loss of some of the city's architectural heritage.
This building, the former Cordova Court Apartments at 2-6 Ruth Street is one of those rare cases. While the building maintains a high level of historical integrity, it appears to have been vacated several years ago, and the lack of maintenance is starting to show. Recently, a set of Limestone panels on the front facade came loose and are still piled in the lawn below. It is an unfortunate case, since the Cordova is one of the most elaborate surviving apartment buildings in the city. Only the Belvidere and Woodmar Apartments (to be covered in later posts) can compare in their exterior ornament.
