Homes on walk tell the stories of Lombard

Posted May 07, 2010 11:00 pm

By Deborah Donovan

Kathy and Ralph Transue's new-old Lombard farmhouse has a great story, but Ralph wants to tell you about his father-in-law and the yard.

In 1950 James Routson bought a 1914 bungalow that his grandfather had built. But by the time he took ownership Routson had already mowed that very same yard for years for his grandfather and then his mother. And believe it or not after he and his wife, Alice, sold the house to the Transues in 2003 and moved to Beacon Hill Retirement Community, he returned for six years to mow the lawn for his daughter and her husband.

Kathy Transue said at age 94 her father - who started with a push mower when he was a teen - would still like to be out on the riding mower, but that isn't going to work any more.

"I figure he mowed this lawn for 80 years," said Ralph Transue. "He loved to mow the lawn. He would cut different patterns into the grass."

Routson's industriousness might have also impressed the girl next door, Alice Knight, who eventually became his wife.

While the land is the same that Kathy Transue's ancestor bought, the house - one of four homes on the annual Lombard Kiwanis Housewalk on Friday - has changed. The Transues saved a few exterior walls while expanding the home to make room for visits from their four grandchildren.

They also saved much of the home's charm, keeping the tall ceilings in the living and dining rooms, which were in the original house, as well the oak front door and three stained glass windows.

A built-in breakfront from the dining room has been moved to the new walkout basement.

The wraparound porch is more impressive than the original porch, which was eventually enclosed. And in the rear just behind the remodeled and expanded kitchen is a two-story family room with French doors to the deck. The new master suite also has a vaulted ceiling.

A great surprise in the back yard way back by the property line is a tree that fell in a storm two years ago.

"We had dirt put around the root ball and it still grows leaves and is still alive," said Kathy. "The kids can climb on it to their heart's content and not get hurt."

The Transue house is on West Road and was not in the village when it was built.

Marge Neely's carpenter cottage, which is closer to the downtown area, also draws attention because of its yard. It backs up to the Prairie Path that Neely loves to walk, and she also is a serious gardener who has dug up many horseshoes on the property.

That's because the home was built in 1893 by a farrier, George Vogt, who shod horses in the barn that still stands behind the house and has room for Neely's garden equipment. Josiah Lombard signed the original deed.

Original features in the home include a built-in oak cabinet in the dining room and the wall of pantry cabinets in the kitchen.

Neely, who loves antiques, is only the third owner of the house that she has decorated with furniture finds she refinished herself.

The rocking chair in the living room came with a story that it was originally in an early Elmhurst tavern or inn. Neely stripped and stained it because her mother had painted it white.

"Mom painted everything, and I took them back down to natural," she said.

Neely also has a collection of wall pockets - vases that hang on the wall in the living room and second-floor hallway. Her daughter, Chris Neely, who also lives in the house, made the quilts displayed in the living room and bedroom as well as needlework on the walls.

Other homes on the walk include one built in 2008 that boasts an in-law apartment, a third-floor kids' hangout and a swimming pool. The other new home shows a living room with skylights as well as windows along the back of the house. The home theater has framed movie posters and old-fashioned sconces.

The 140-year-old gothic Maple Street chapel - very noticeable at Main and Maple streets - will also be open.

The rocking chair in Marge Neely's living room supposedly came from an old tavern or inn in Elmhurst. Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer

If you go

What: Lombard Kiwanis Housewalk, held at the same time as Lombard Lilac Festival

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, May 14

Reception: Meet homeowners and designers from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Lombard Historical Society's Carriage House

Tickets: $25; available at each house on the day of the walk, and in advance at various locations, including Lombard Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 10 Lilac Way, Lombard

Call: (630) 261-5310 or visit lombardhousewalk.com

Benefits: Local charities

Lilac Festival: For more information on final week, visit <a href="http://www.lombardparks.com" target="new">www.lombardparks.com</a>. Hurry because the lilacs bloomed early this year.

Parade: The Lilac parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at Glenbard East High School, Main Street and Wilson Avenue; visit lombardlilacparade.com. This culminates the village's celebration of the shrub.

History: Col. William Plum planted lilacs at his home, which is now Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park St., and home to 1,200 lilacs and center of many festival activities.

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