This 1859 Greek Revival home was once owned by James Lewis, an early mayor of St. Charles.
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley
Early Greeks and Romans were builders of masterpieces. When you think of stone pillars or marble columns, you know their work still inspires the architecture found in the great homes of today.
This year, the treasures of the Tri-Cities house tour will focus on the splendid local examples of Greek Revival and Italianate design in homes, dating from 1850 to 1870.
The Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley have selected six examples of these classic styles in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia for the Sept. 23 tour.
Guides will give tours of the six sites, highlighting the significant architectural elements as well as personal history of notable occupants, including Dr. James Lewis, an early mayor of St. Charles who is also remembered for banning nude bathing in the Fox River during daylight hours.
The Joel McKee House, circa 1865, is a very high-style Italianate in Batavia with many original features, including windows, interior staircase and newel post. The house also has an original circa 1850 core that was built first, by McKee, who later added the more elaborate front section.
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley
The 1851 David Martin home was moved to Fulton Street in 1916 when the Fourth Street School was built in Geneva. It retains many original Greek revival features, including the tiny frieze windows above the main windows on second floor.
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley
This 1855 farmhouse, the Lebaron Turner home on Fulton Street in Geneva, is actually a blending of Greek Revival and Italianate styles. It has undergone two major restorations in the past decade, including one replacing an expansive, curving front porch in 2002.
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley
The Giles Spring House on Shady Avenue in Geneva was built in 1850 and boasts the first cupola in the Tri-Cities. This Italianate Villa-style home has its marble fireplaces, original windows and interior woodwork still intact.
Courtesy of Karla Kaulfuss
Tour guides Linda Winans, left, and Pat Pretz, both of St. Charles, outside the 1859 home built for two-time Mayor Dr. James Lewis on Fifth Street in St. Charles. The home is one of the most elegant examples of Greek Revival architecture on the tour.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The view from the balcony of the 1859 Greek Revival home of early Mayor Dr. James Lewis in St. Charles. Dr. Lewis was able to see the Fox River from here.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The Greek Revival home of early Mayor James Lewis in St. Charles.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The new kitchen was added to the 1859 home of Lewis.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The living room of the Lewis home is complete with an original fireplace.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
<b>What:</b> Sixth annual Treasures of the Tri-Cities, a tour of six Greek Revival and Italianate-designed homes.
<b>When:</b> 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23
<b>Who:</b> Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley
<b>Tickets:</b> $20 in advance, (630) 377-6424; $23 on day of event at the 1850 Beith House Museum, 8 Indiana St., St. Charles; Scentimental Gardens, Fifth and State streets in Geneva; and The Past Basket, Third and Campbell streets, Geneva.
<b>Details:</b> Email info@ppfv.org, call (630) 377-6424 or visit <a href="http://www.ppfv.org" target="_blank">ppfv.org</a>