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Aurora house built in 1841 on the market after being restored

The city of Aurora is seeking a buyer for one of its earliest homes.

The relatively small house has been moved about a mile from its original River Street location and has a new porch and basement foundation, but officials maintain it still has all of its 1840s charm.

If city leaders were running a classified ad for the house, it probably would read something like this:

For sale: Charming two-bedroom home with new front porch, new basement, updated kitchen and bath. Minutes from downtown Aurora and perfect for someone seeking to own a piece of history.

The save

The historic building was just the second house on River Street when it was built in the early 1840s by Alexander McArthur, a barrel-maker who immigrated from Scotland, according to city planning specialist Jennifer Grobe.

But much of that was long forgotten by 2005 when the Vanstrand Group bought the property at 138 S. River St. to build the River Street Plaza Condominiums. Plans called for the McArthur House to be demolished.

But Grobe says the developer was so impressed with the building's structural integrity and original woodworking designs that it not only donated the home to the city, but helped move it to its current location in Aurora's Tanner Historic District.

With the assistance of a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant, the developer, city staff and several volunteers and contractors, Grobe says a new foundation for the home was poured at 109 N. View St., which provides a basement for the house with 10-foot ceilings.

The home's siding also was removed to uncover the original wood, which was painted to match the historic district's color scheme. Volunteers restored the full-width porch with period appropriate details, and updated the kitchen with new appliances and countertops.

Grobe says saving and restoring the home is just the latest demonstration of the city's "green" initiatives to "save huge amounts of waste."

"The philosophy around here is that as long as you can keep it viable, you ought to use it," she says. "You can use your good China year-round. You don't have to wait for the special occasions."

With a minimum asking price of $150,000, Grobe says the house is ideal for empty-nesters or a couple looking for a starter home.

But there's a catch. The new homeowner will need to meet HUD income requirements, agree to make the home their primary residence and commit to its preservation.

"Obviously, we're looking for a homeowner who will honor the commitments and generosity of everyone who worked to save the house," she says.

Because of its location in the historic district, the house is eligible for additional restoration funds through the city's $10,000 Preservation Loan and $4,000 Window Restoration Grant programs.

"Because this home is a local landmark, we place an emphasis on its historic fabric," Grobe says. "You don't buy new windows, you fix the old windows."

Proceeds from the home's sale will be returned to the city's community development block grant funds.

The history

Once Alexander McArthur settled here, it didn't take long before his son, John, brought his bride, Eliza McFarlane, to live in the home. That brought the total number of residents living there to 14, Grobe says.

The cramped arrangement prompted John McArthur to add a second story to the house during the Civil War. That space is now the attic.

"We definitely lived differently back then," Grobe says. "No one would even think of permitting that now."

Since the McArthur family owned the residence, it has been home to Fremont Taylor, a jeweler and watchmaker, and town barber George Phelps. It later was used as a rental property, became a restaurant and served as a bus depot for Continental Trailways.

In addition to changes in use, the home has experienced many physical changes. Besides the addition of the second story, a shed was added and may have functioned as a workshop or retail space for its owners, Grobe says.

Make it yours

According to sales documents, the home's front entryway, living room and dining room "boast beautiful and unique wood trim, four-pocket doors, high ceilings, an intricate slate mantle, and newly refinished hardwood floors." The updated bathroom has been fitted with new tile and a historic pedestal sink. And both bedrooms have new carpeting.

The house has been on the market since March 4. All sales documents are available online at www.aurora-il.org/ and must be submitted by 2 p.m. April 16 to be considered.

If you have any questions, need assistance with the application, or would like to tour the home, contact Grobe at jgrobe@aurora-il.org or (630) 844-3648.

"It certainly is a unique situation to have this history available," Grobe says. "We're not sure if we'll ever have the opportunity to make something like this available again."

The city put more than $150,000 into rehabilitating the home and volunteers worked for hours to restore the original siding and add a period-appropriate porch. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The house was moved less than a mile from its original location at 138 S. River St. to Aurora's Tanner Historic District, near the intersection of North View and West New York streets. Photo courtesy city of Aurora
According to sales fliers the home is full of unique wood trim, four-pocket doors, high ceilings, an intricate slate mantle and newly refinished hardwood floors. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The home has been updated with all new kitchen appliances and countertops in an effort to make it more appealing to buyers who like the history but not the headaches of an older home. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
Built in 1841, the McArthur House was "too charming" to be destroyed when the land was sold to make way for the River Street Plaza condominiums. Photo courtesy city of Aurora
This 1867 map provides a bird's-eye view of the McArthur House when it was at 138 S. River St. in Aurora. It was moved in November 2005 to its new location at 109 N. View St. Map courtesy city of Aurora
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