Highland Park offers 2010 House Tour

Were you aware of the architectural gems that are sitting along the Lake Michigan corridor in Highland Park?

Find out more during the Highland Park Historical Society's 2010 House Tour called “A Triangle of Treasures. From 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, the tour will showcase houses including local landmarks in the National Register Historic District triangle bounded by Laurel and Prospect avenues and Lake Michigan, plus a spectacular lakefront mansion built in the mid-20th century.

The tour will begin at the society's museum located at 326 Central Ave. in Highland Park. Shuttle buses will be available for travel from house to house.

The 2010 House Tour will feature houses representing a cross section of types of late 19th century architectural design, and for contrast, an elegant 20th century design built for Jerome Factor. In addition, the tour will feature the historic Highland Park Presbyterian Church designed by Charles Frost, designer of the Newberry Library and Navy Pier, and the Francis Stupey log cabin, the oldest standing structure in the northern suburb and home to one of Highland Park's original settlers.

The tour route was chosen to capitalize on the new Laurel-Prospect Walking Tour, an audio tour of the Laurel-Prospect triangle created by the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission. The Highland Park Historical Society is collaborating with the city's commission to make the audio tour brochure available to the public during the house tour.

“We are excited to be able to feature a superb example of construction by the Highland Park Building Company, the developers of Highland Park, Italianate and Queen Anne architectural styles, and a spectacular modern architectural design with stunning, panoramic views of Lake Michigan, Society president Elliott Miller said. “Some of the homes effectively demonstrate how a historic home can be renovated and expanded to accommodate a modern family in a way that is sympathetic to the original architecture.

Tickets for the 2010 House Tour cost $35, or $30 in advance. Tickets can be purchased by called the museum at (847) 432-7090, by e-mail at hphistorical@sbcglobal.net or through PayPal at highlandparkhistory.com. Tickets purchased in advance can be picked up at the museum on Sunday.