Historic Fabyan garage refurbished

Local history enthusiasts will celebrate the salvation of the Fabyan estate garage at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

The original chauffeurs to the millionaires will be honored, and antique cars will be displayed.

The Friends of Fabyan plans a ceremony on the upper north side of the garage, which is on the western portion of the Fabyan Forest Preserve, on Route 31 north of Fabyan Parkway, in Geneva.

The three-building garage complex came close to being torn down in 2003 by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, but Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley and the Friends of Fabyan persuaded the district otherwise. However, it needed about $600,000 worth of repair.

The restoration included a new roof, siding, balcony, gate, concrete work, garage doors and replacement of lights, all replicating the original building. There are new stairs and a new driveway, and the building has been painted in its original colors.

Money to complete the project came from the forest preserve district, the two preservation groups and individuals.

George and Nelle Fabyan bought the estate in 1905; its more than 600 acres spanned Route 31 and the Fox River. Kane County purchased several hundred of the riverside acres in 1939 after the death of Nelle Fabyan. Remaining features include a Dutch windmill, a Japanese garden and the Fabyan Villa, a farmhouse for which Frank Lloyd Wright designed an addition in 1907.

The garage was built in 1912 in the Arts and Crafts style, designed by the Wilson brother architects of Geneva. It contained a turntable that would rotate cars 180 degrees. The turntable, although inoperable, is still there.

For more information about the Fabyan estate, visit ppfv.org/fabyan.htm.