The original wiring in many if not most of the homes in Riverwest is called Knob and Tube. When inside a wall or floor space, this type of wiring will have white porcelain knobs nailed to the wood where the individual wires change direction and small (1/2″ diameter) tubes that insulate and protect the wires as they pass through holes in the wood joists or studs. When the wires are in visible locations like in the basement you may see long black flexible tubes run in pairs.