Four Historic Homes Chosen for 2011 Preservation Awards in West Chicago
West Chicago, Illinois: July 6, 2011 – West Chicago's diverse housing stock is just one of the community's many distinctions, and recently four of its historic homes were celebrated for the restoration and preservation work made by their owners. The 2011 Preservation Awards, chosen by the West Chicago Preservation Commission, were presented to Keith Letsche, Sharon and Charles Shelhamer, Peter and Barbara Laimins and Frank and Evelyn Canabal.
Each home maintains its own fascinating history, the earliest dating back to 1869.
The Smith Norris House - 216 Arbor Avenue
Listed on the Illinois Historic Site Survey and Illinois Inventory of Historic Structures, this house is constructed of cream colored Milwaukee brick. It contains design elements of both Gothic Revival and Italianate styles. It is believed that Rev. Isaac Smith constructed the house in 1869. He was pastor of the First Congregational Church of Turner from 1868-1869. He was accused of drowning his wife in Popular Creek and was brought to trial for murder and acquitted of the charge. Charles E. Norris, a local undertaker later bought the home and members of his family occupied it for almost 40 years. Current owners Sharon and Charles Shelhamer are recognized for the sensitive addition of a garage - constructed of Milwaukee brick with custom made windows to match the window styles on the house.
The William Reed House - 215 East Washington Street
This Italianate style home was built c1875. The house was probably constructed by Dr. George W. Reynolds, a physician. It was sold to William T. Reed in 1881 and remained in the Reed family until 1953. The house was sold to the First Congregational church and used as their parsonage until 1968. It is the boyhood home of Chauncey W. Reed, U.S. Congressman from the 11th District from 1934 until his death in 1956. William T. Reed operated a general store in Turner/West Chicago beginning in 1876 as Voll & Reed and then about 1878 as Reed and Stark. He served as President of the Village of Turner from1894-1895 and President of the Village of West Chicago in 1896 and 1900-1902. He also served as Village treasurer and Police Magistrate as well as a director of the West Chicago State Bank. The current owner is Keith Letsche. This beautiful home was recognized for period appropriate restoration and additions (front screen doors, garage cupola, roofing material and design).
The Guild House - 504 Claremont Avenue
This Queen Anne style house c1895, is listed on the Illinois Inventory of Historic Structures. It was probably one of the first houses built in the Columbia Park Subdivision (bordered on the north by National Street, east by Ingalton Avenue, south by Grandlake and west by Arbor Avenue). George Guild was a retired farmer and had been Commissioner of Highways and School Director. Current owners Frank and Evelyn Canabal were honored with a Preservation Award for their style-appropriate restoration.
Sears House Wilmore model - 559 Highland Avenue
Built by George and Emma Kremer in 1931, this five-room bungalow-type Sears kit house was probably one of the most popular designs for American homes. The Kremer's daughter said that at the time the house was built, the land across from it on National Street was pastureland, where she remembers a horse named Clyde grazing. National Street was a gravel road at the time. West Chicago was one of the first communities in Illinois to conduct a City-wide inventory of Sears kit houses. A survey was done in 2001. Current owners Peter and Barbara Laimins are recognized for the architecturally compatible addition to the house.
Photos of these homes, historic and present, are available at www.westchicago.org.