Medieval-style Pratt’s Castle featured at this year’s Historic Elgin House Tour

Hear ye, hear ye. Lords and ladies might feel a bit regal when they’re among the first allowed inside of Pratt’s Castle, one of six properties to be featured at this weekend’s 44th annual Historic Elgin House Tour.

“People will be able to cross the newly renovated drawbridge and enter the first floor,” tour co-chair Paul Bednar said. “The first floor has plenty to see — battle windows, the drawbridge, curving staircase, suits of armor and a dungeon.”

According to HistoricElgin.com, history buff Harold S. Pratt built the castle in 1937, modeling it on one he saw along the Rhine River in Germany while serving in World War I. He used the five-story structure to house his collection of medieval artifacts, and among its highlights is a moat surrounding a 50-foot tower.

Tour co-chair John Marston said the property, which has a small home on the back lot, is owned by Paul Sommer, who bought the site several years ago at an auction.

“Paul wants to preserve the castle and its history, and this is a way for him to share it with people,” Marston said.

Bednar and Marston said the upper floors of the castle are accessible, but it’s not feasible timewise to allow tourgoers to visit them. That’s unfortunate, Marston said, because the top story offers a panoramic view of the nearby Fox River and surrounding neighborhood.

Tour-takers will be shuttled by bus to the site because Cedar Avenue is reserved for pedestrians only and the walk is a hilly one, according to the tour brochure put together by committee member Trish LaFleur.

In addition to the castle, the Gifford Park Association tour will feature five other homes in the North East Neighborhood Association section of Elgin, which has been the focus of the tour more than a dozen times, Bednar said.

Two of them — the Moeller home at 100 Spring St. and Jeff Gill’s home at 259 River Bluff Road — have been part of the event before.

“The house on River Bluff was built in 1917 and has been outfitted with many Prairie Style architectural elements as well as decor,” he said. “The interior is a great example of someone that has maintained that style throughout.

“And (all of) the houses have been modernized on the interior, while retaining their historic charm.”

While participants can tour the houses at their leisure, architectural historian Rebecca Hunter will give a 90-minute talk at 1 p.m. both days. Her focus will be on the homes’ exteriors, with participants meeting at a food court on Center Street, south of River Bluff Road, to begin the 1.5-mile walk.

In response to docent feedback from last year’s event, a bilingual option will be available at each house, tour committee member Jeanette Mihalec said. If a Spanish translation is desired, a docent will guide visitors through the home.

“Art for All will have artists drawing and painting this year’s houses during the tour too,” Bednar said.

All told, the event will involve 144 volunteer docents working with the committee and captains for the six sites, committee member Celeste Sonnier said. Most of the money raised goes to acquiring and restoring properties within the Elgin Historic District, Bednar said.

“The (Gifford Park Association) now has a grant program that helps the neighbors afford improvements to their houses, such as painting, unveiling fake siding, chain-link fence removal, street tree costs and porch replacements,” he said. “Other notable grants have gone toward the Watch Factory train depot restoration, the Kimball cobblestone, the Fireman’s Memorial, and many smaller donations to local schools, neighborhood groups and parks.”

Advance tickets are $20, $15 for those age 65 or older or 18 or younger. Or purchase tickets that day at McKinley Elementary School, 258 Lovell St., for an additional $5.

To purchase tickets and for more information, go to historicelginhousetour.com.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.

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Historic Elgin House Tour

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13

Six locations in the Northeast Neighborhood Association area: 1100 N. Spring St., 1044 Center Ave., 259 River Bluff Road, 840 Prospect Blvd., 909 Prospect Blvd., and Pratt's Castle on Cedar Avenue

Walking tour: Architectural historian Rebecca Hunter leads a 1.5-mile walk of the neighborhood at 1 p.m. both days. Meet at the food court on Center Street, south of River Bluff Road

Tickets: $20, $15 for age 65 or older or 18 or younger in advance; $5 more on day of at McKinley Elementary School, 258 Lovell St. (cash or credit only)

Information: historicelginhousetour.com

Note: Due to steep, uneven terrain around Pratt’s Castle, a shuttle bus pickup will be available at River Bluff and Cedar Avenue as no vehicle traffic will be allowed on Cedar