1920s 5th Street
Between 1910 and 1920 many of the houses around the Brennan House had been converted to boarding houses with furnished rooms. The respective city directories also show an increased amount of African Americans in the neighborhood. The 1920 census lists only five different residences around the Brennan House. This is a dramatic decrease from the amount of homes and families that previously occupied the block. It is for these reasons that the Brennans had art glass installed in their home for added privacy. The Brennans were also avid art and antique collectors. These new windows also added a level of security for the pricey items within the home. If someone can’t see what is in the house, they may be less likely to try to break in. It is interesting that with the degree of change happening around them, the Brennan family chose to adapt to the environment rather than move like most of the other families.