Algonquin's Geister House named to National Register

A remarkable building that has served as a family's home, a clock shop, a real estate office and a day spa has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Christian Geister House at 302 S. Main St. in downtown Algonquin was placed on the national register this month because of its "still-intact Queen Anne architecture," said Robert Coomer, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers the National Register program in Illinois.

This is the first building in Algonquin to be given such a distinction.

The green-shingled painted lady was built in 1893 by local carpenter Amos Wilburn for Christian Geister, one of the town's grist mill operators and the village treasurer. It was purchased by Emma Estergren in 1909, who lived there until her death in the 1970s.

The Geister house is a previous winner of the Chicago Painted Lady Contest, according to Jeff Jolitz, chairman of the Algonquin Historic Commission.

"What's really remarkable about this structure is that it has had a variety of many different owners and uses. Through all this adapted use, the architectural integrity of the building has not been sacrificed at all," he said.

The home's exterior features include delicate gingerbread trim in red and gold, a double-stacked front porch, and two front entrances.

Inside, "it is absolutely pristine in terms of all the original woodwork and stained glass and carvings," Jolitz said.

Spindlework, Victorian-style pocket doors and striking turrets are other well-kept features.

The Geister House's only modernizations are electrical upgrades and a handicapped-accessible entrance.

"Paint chip analyses have been done so we could restore the home's original colors," he said.

For instance, a common Victorian custom was to paint a porch's ceiling light blue, to mimic the skies.

"The analysis told us the Geister house had that feature, too," he said.

The Geister House's current owner, Diane Post, came to Jolitz for help with the National Register application process about a year ago.

"Something a lot of people don't know is that the application process has to be completed by the property owner," he said.

The process, Jolitz said, "was not easy. There are a lot of restrictions and rules. A lot of the reasons people do this, though, (being placed on the National Register) is a way of ensuring that a building is preserved for future generations."

Jolitz said that there are several homes in the Geister House's vicinity that might also qualify for the National Register.

"We're hoping that this is the impetus to spur on some other people to apply," he said.