tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79539935853693495452024-03-12T18:59:48.869-07:00Historic Homes JournalMarian Boveri--Historic Homes Specialty. This journal is about Historic Homes, their architecture, the stories they have to tell, the people who lived in them, how they lived in the past, and from time to time--Historic Homes for sale. Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-86092914212798901052013-09-23T20:23:00.003-07:002013-09-23T21:24:59.500-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What is a "Historic Home"?</div>
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Part I</div>
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It is interesting to note that many perceive the term "historic home" as referring to a home that is a landmark or plaqued. In the real estate industry, however, a "historic home" refers to any home that is 50 years or older. Oh yes, that means that all those 1950s ranches are now considered "historic homes"! Indeed, there is even a museum dedicated to this very thing--the 1950s ranch and how families lived during that era. <a href="http://www.ci.rolling-meadows.il.us/HTML/historical_museum.htm" target="_blank">(rolling meadows historical museum)</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TynDdsD2yY/UkD5CqLCovI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/mQCS__a56kQ/s1600/historical.museum.rolling.meadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6TynDdsD2yY/UkD5CqLCovI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/mQCS__a56kQ/s320/historical.museum.rolling.meadows.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1950s Ranch is a "Historic Home"<br />
picture from Daily Herald</td></tr>
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A now historic "modern-day" kitchen picture design from 1951. So pretty in pink!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJLAgr7DU28/UkECDDyC7jI/AAAAAAAAAQs/LDf6Pt1bCQo/s1600/royal.barry.wills.vintage.kitchen.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJLAgr7DU28/UkECDDyC7jI/AAAAAAAAAQs/LDf6Pt1bCQo/s320/royal.barry.wills.vintage.kitchen.1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Going right down the line then are homes pre-1950s which one typically would equate with as having a more custom-type of construction, i.e., built on-site as opposed to pre-fab. Originating in the 1600s and re-introduced again by Royal Barry Wills as an architectural style in the 1920s, the cape cod became a typical suburban home built in the 1940s. Its exterior was in keeping with the original design of the 1600s but the interior was adapted for modern living. Returning soldiers from WWII were in need of housing and this simple house fit the bill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHTbxvzKcYU/UkEBe2rB15I/AAAAAAAAAQg/gBnaZnYeawI/s1600/royal-barry-wills-good-design-copyrighted-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHTbxvzKcYU/UkEBe2rB15I/AAAAAAAAAQg/gBnaZnYeawI/s320/royal-barry-wills-good-design-copyrighted-image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Barry Wills Cape Cod<br />
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This design was promoted as a "house for homemakers" which essentially is indicative of what most women were considered to have been doing during that era.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cptAyZQeSY/UkEFb_zO_2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/WmpUY7LA1aA/s1600/royal-barry-wills-flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9cptAyZQeSY/UkEFb_zO_2I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/WmpUY7LA1aA/s320/royal-barry-wills-flyer.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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The 1930s brought in the era of Art Deco which primarily was seen in commercial applications and apartment buildings. Art Deco consisted of geometric shapes, bold colors, and lavish ornamentation. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Deco Carbide and Carbon Building<br />
Chicago, IL (pic by Terence Faircloth)<br />
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Art Deco also influenced the interior design of the buildings as well as fashion, art, and furniture.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7a4n8CCf54/UkENwCYSINI/AAAAAAAAARQ/kUbbSlhuask/s1600/art.deco.elevators.chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7a4n8CCf54/UkENwCYSINI/AAAAAAAAARQ/kUbbSlhuask/s1600/art.deco.elevators.chicago.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Deco Elevators Chicago</td></tr>
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One style of home that was built in the 1930s was the "English cottage" home also known as the English Vernacular Revival, <span style="text-align: center;">which was basically a bungalow with tudor styling. These homes were single-story with steep pitched gabled roofs and one or more dominant front-facing gables. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAlNG9ChrX0/UkEOMvfaO1I/AAAAAAAAARY/gIjkiaWJmiM/s1600/1936sears-mitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAlNG9ChrX0/UkEOMvfaO1I/AAAAAAAAARY/gIjkiaWJmiM/s320/1936sears-mitchell.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1936 Sears Roebuck Kit House<br />
from antiquehomestyle.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Cottage Venacular, aka Tudor<br />
from blog.seattlepi.com</td></tr>
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The era of 1920s-1930s home were typical of the arts and crafts movement, aka craftsman, with the bungalow being a primary and most popular style. The bungalow was not just an architectural style--but a way of life where all rooms were on one floor with no stairs allowing for ease of living. </div>
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Part II next week.</div>
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<i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<i>(an old Irish blessing)</i></div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
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Specializing in Historic Homes</div>
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Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty</div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-38388527895924118742013-09-16T21:57:00.003-07:002013-09-17T11:31:27.899-07:00Back to School History of Transporation<br />
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Did you know that the first "school bus" came into existence in 1827? Yes, long before the automobile there existed the horse-drawn school carriage. The very first "school bus" was designed to carry 27 children for a Quaker school in London.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ve258lLdFIE/Ujft6NY3n4I/AAAAAAAAAP8/5I_OUr7y3qg/s1600/shillibeers.first.school.bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ve258lLdFIE/Ujft6NY3n4I/AAAAAAAAAP8/5I_OUr7y3qg/s320/shillibeers.first.school.bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First "School Bus" by Schillibeer in London<br />
fromWikipedia</td></tr>
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In the United States, a company called Wayne Works (and later known as Wayne Corporation) began manufacturing farm implements in 1837. It is unclear, even in Wayne Work's own history as to when the manufacture of horse-drawn carriages began. What is known is that by 1886 Wayne Works was manufacturing horse-drawn school carriages. For the most part, prior to 1886, children were transported to school by farm wagons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jo49WooQn2E/UjfkWqEnkPI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IF72k4GCyRw/s1600/school.hack.c1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jo49WooQn2E/UjfkWqEnkPI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IF72k4GCyRw/s320/school.hack.c1868.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne Works c 1868 School Hack<br />
per WayneWorks picture from <u>Nation's Schools</u></td></tr>
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Interestingly, in Massachusetts circa 1869, the first legislation was passed to use public funds to pay farmers to transport students. (CSA.org) Horse-drawn school carriages were known as "school hacks" (hack being a certain type of carriage); "school trucks", "school cars", and "kid hacks".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mU1cG8Te8OY/UjfdSAckc5I/AAAAAAAAAOI/etpPoXV8HHU/s1600/horse.drawn.1898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mU1cG8Te8OY/UjfdSAckc5I/AAAAAAAAAOI/etpPoXV8HHU/s320/horse.drawn.1898.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida School Hack c 1989</td></tr>
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The entrance to the carriages were through a rear single-door door entry so that the children would not startle the horse while loading and unloading. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oljpS5ipR_0/Ujffgm5rQRI/AAAAAAAAAOc/-821b2XaNoQ/s1600/horse.drawn.1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oljpS5ipR_0/Ujffgm5rQRI/AAAAAAAAAOc/-821b2XaNoQ/s320/horse.drawn.1900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida School Hack c 1900</td></tr>
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Some school districts even had a fleet of school trucks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jup3bXP1LP4/UjfhzRvqoyI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ZVcFiJvHQdw/s1600/laporte.school.+busses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jup3bXP1LP4/UjfhzRvqoyI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ZVcFiJvHQdw/s320/laporte.school.+busses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early fleet of school trucks</td></tr>
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In Northern climates during the winter children were transported by sleigh. Believe it or not, a horse-drawn school carriage often did the job. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLl5Cib4aVA/Ujfd6_AqEoI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/QC6iK714Y8M/s1600/school.sleigh.1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLl5Cib4aVA/Ujfd6_AqEoI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/QC6iK714Y8M/s320/school.sleigh.1925.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">circa 1925, South Winn, Maine<br />
copyright Lincoln Historical Society, item 34755</td></tr>
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In 1914, Wayne Works put a wooden kid hack onto a automobile chassis and the fore-runner to the modern-day school bus was born. While not the first to transport children via motor buses--they are recognized as the largest manufacturer of school buses. Early models maintained the same design of a rear single-door entry. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3yIpmdYYQ4/Ujfp9wMCc7I/AAAAAAAAAPg/li9Dat_MyAA/s1600/early.school.bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3yIpmdYYQ4/Ujfp9wMCc7I/AAAAAAAAAPg/li9Dat_MyAA/s320/early.school.bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early School Bus with Rear Entry<br />
picture from Wikipedia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwZoRu1bKr4/UjflpACu9sI/AAAAAAAAAPI/c1SkK5_mIyM/s1600/motorized.school.bus.wayne.resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwZoRu1bKr4/UjflpACu9sI/AAAAAAAAAPI/c1SkK5_mIyM/s320/motorized.school.bus.wayne.resize.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Wayne motorized School Bus<br />
per WayneWorks picture from <u>Nation's Schools</u></td></tr>
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Wayne Works was one of the earliest school bus manufacturer to replace the canvas window shades with windows circa 1930.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OV2x1sd828Y/UjfrC2i-DCI/AAAAAAAAAPw/UbJtMlLm8Lw/s1600/early.1930s.school.bus.resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OV2x1sd828Y/UjfrC2i-DCI/AAAAAAAAAPw/UbJtMlLm8Lw/s320/early.1930s.school.bus.resize.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne Works c 1930 School Bus<br />
per WayneWorks picture from <u>Nation's Schools</u></td></tr>
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Even modern school buses retain the rear single-entry door now used for emergency exit.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIHIUwaZlNY/Ujfn5wo7pJI/AAAAAAAAAPU/6JIaGob8xpQ/s1600/school.bus.rear.exit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIHIUwaZlNY/Ujfn5wo7pJI/AAAAAAAAAPU/6JIaGob8xpQ/s1600/school.bus.rear.exit.jpg" /></a></div>
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What is your favorite memory about your trip to school? Did you ride in a school bus, walk, or get a ride?<br />
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<i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<i>(An Old Irish Blessing)</i></div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Specializing in Historic Homes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty</div>
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www.Floridamemory.com pictures of Florida school trucks @ <a href="http://floridamemory.com/blog/tag/back-to-school-month/">http://floridamemory.com/blog/tag/back-to-school-month/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.schoolbusdriver.org/history.html">http://www.schoolbusdriver.org/history.html</a><br />
www.countryschoolassociation.org<br />
<a href="http://wayneworks.angelfire.com/waynep1a.html">http://wayneworks.angelfire.com/waynep1a.html</a></div>
Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-51066161953061887742013-09-10T00:47:00.004-07:002013-09-10T12:11:34.713-07:00A Look Back in Time on a Hot Summer's Day<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxtGWvlUF3c/Ui9Nh9PQ6LI/AAAAAAAAANo/zZCmHE3-wzM/s1600/sleeping.porch.actual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxtGWvlUF3c/Ui9Nh9PQ6LI/AAAAAAAAANo/zZCmHE3-wzM/s200/sleeping.porch.actual.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early sleeping porch early 1900s</td></tr>
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Today I thought I would take a look back into everyday life as it used to be. Certainly there is a tendency at times to romanticize these "simpler" times. Yet it is important to remember that with these "simpler" times came a lot of hard work and on a warm summer day like today--discomfort. During the hot summer nights before the advent of air conditioning people would often create sleeping areas on outdoor porches--screened and unscreened. In the early 1900s sleeping porches also gained popularity as it was believed that the fresh air was helpful for those suffering from tuberculosis. The health benefits of fresh air was also touted. In the Queen Anne style homes sleeping porches were often accessed through a window not a door. <br />
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It was Benjamin Franklin--the father of "all" inventions--who did discover the cooling effects of evaporation as early as 1758. It wasn't until 1820 though that a Dr. John Gorrie built an ice-making machine that used compression to make buckets of ice and then blew air over them. He patented the idea in 1851 but without any financial backing the idea went no further. Another attempt at a cooling machine was made in 1881 and successfully lowered the air in the room by 20 degrees but utilized a half million pounds of ice in two months. </div>
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It was not until 1902 that a economically usable system for cooling air and removing humidity was implemented by Willis Carrier for the Sackett-Willems Lithograph and Publishing Company so that the paper wouldn't wrinkle thereby keeping the ink aligned. In 1906 a textile mill engineer named Stuart Cramer coins the phrase "air conditioning" when he adds humidity to the air of a yarn factory allowing for easier spinning of the yarn thereby reducing breakage. Ironically the term "air conditioning" was first coined to describe <i>adding </i>humidity to the air as opposed to our modern-day understanding of removing it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjQ6CP0b8-8/Ui7ONhwx6_I/AAAAAAAAANQ/GAVnWRfpoWU/s1600/charles.mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjQ6CP0b8-8/Ui7ONhwx6_I/AAAAAAAAANQ/GAVnWRfpoWU/s200/charles.mansion.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Gates Mansion</td></tr>
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The first known home installation of an air conditioning unit was in the 38,000 square foot Minneapolis mansion of Charles Gates in 1914 and was approximately 7 feet high by 6 feet wide by and 20 feet long. However as the home was never lived in, there remains questions as to whether or not it was ever put into use.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vnRpxCBOIug/Ui7N0T7a_6I/AAAAAAAAANI/LSzWPM8icbM/s1600/willis_carrier_with_1st_chiller-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vnRpxCBOIug/Ui7N0T7a_6I/AAAAAAAAANI/LSzWPM8icbM/s200/willis_carrier_with_1st_chiller-.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willis Carrier and his<br />
first centrifugal refrigeration system</td></tr>
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In 1922, Willis Carrier added a central compressor to his system which enabled him to reduce the size of the system thereby making it practical to install in other applications other than a factory. The system was installed in the Rivoli Theater in times square and debuted to the public.on Memorial Day Weekend in 1925. In fact the term "summer blockbuster" arises from the large numbers of people who would pile into movie theaters on hot summer days. </div>
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In the 1931 an individual air conditioner was invented that sits on a window ledge by H. H. Schultz and G. Q. Sherman. These units are available for sale a year later at the cost of $10,000-$50,000 which is equivalent to $100,000 to $600,000 today. (Popular Mechanics) However, current calculations would put this at more like $170,000 to $850,000. (Now that is taking luxury to new heights!) Needless to say, it was the wealthy who were the only ones who could afford this modern-day luxury in their homes. </div>
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Throughout the 1930s air conditioning spread to "department stores, rail cars, and offices, sending workers' summer productivity soaring. Until then, central courtyards and wide-open windows had offered the only relief". (Oremus) "According to Gail Cooper's <u>Air Conditioning America</u>, tests of federal employees showed that typists increased their output by 24% when transferred from a regular office to a cooled one. By 1957, the AC's early reputation for making workers lazy had been successfully inverted; Cooper writes of another study showing that, by then, almost 90% of companies cited air-conditioning as the most important factor in office efficency." (Steinmetz)<br />
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In 1939 the first car with air conditioning rolled off the Packard production line. The option costs $274 ($4,600 in today's money). Yet dash controls for the device came later and the driver, if feeling too chilly, had to stop the car and disconnect the compressor. Ah, the good ol' days. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6h_OxL4Hjk/Ui9aZFqk0XI/AAAAAAAAAN4/KLGCBWfocMs/s1600/air+conditioning.lambert.getty+images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6h_OxL4Hjk/Ui9aZFqk0XI/AAAAAAAAAN4/KLGCBWfocMs/s320/air+conditioning.lambert.getty+images.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Lambert/Getty image)</td></tr>
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In the 1950s economic boom air conditioning became another way to keep up with the Joneses. More than 1 million units were sold in 1953 alone. However, as late as 1965, only 10% of the U.S. households have air conditioning. "Families in the South made do by sleeping on the porch or even putting their underwear in the icebox." (Oremus). </div>
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By 2007 the number of households with air conditioning was 86 percent. This ability to cool down the interior of a home resulted in a shifting of U.S. population as "Sun Belt cities that had been unbearable in the summer became more attractive places to live and work". (Oremus)<br />
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Check out this timeline for more information about the history of air conditioning:<br />
<a href="http://www.greatachievements.org/?id=3854">http://www.greatachievements.org/?id=3854</a> </div>
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Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</div>
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(An Old Irish Blessing)</div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
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Specializing in Historic Homes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty</div>
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<u>A Brief History of Air Conditioning</u> by Popular Mechanics.<br />
<u>A History of Air Conditiong</u> by Will Oremus<br />
<u>Air Conditioning</u> by Katie Steinmetz in <u>Time U.S.</u><br />
<br />Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-59160910358456668792013-08-26T20:43:00.004-07:002013-08-26T21:58:53.286-07:00<div>
Ever Wonder Where the Word Boycott Came From?</div>
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During the past week I ran across a post on Facebook that talked about the origin of the word "boycott" and I thought it would be interesting to share it here as it certainly is something that applies to our everyday life with a history of its own. The word actually originated in Ireland in the 1880s after locals set about to shun Captain Charles Boycott for his eviction of Irish tenant farmers during the last main Irish famine which began in 1879. In contrast to the Great Famines of 1740-1741 and 1845-1849, the result of this famine was for the most part hunger that was not life threatening and it was mainly concentrated in the west of Ireland. While a series of food shortages and crop failures swept through Ireland during the 1870s and into the early 1890s, a larger scale crop shortage during 1879 led it to be called a famine and it is sometimes referred to as <i>"An Gorta Beag"</i> meaning mini-famine.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsGbnJzG1zU/UhwWdwlfnfI/AAAAAAAAAMM/RqwLMyfd8CE/s1600/bringing.in.a.meal.1-24-1880..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsGbnJzG1zU/UhwWdwlfnfI/AAAAAAAAAMM/RqwLMyfd8CE/s200/bringing.in.a.meal.1-24-1880..jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman Gathering a Meal<br />
From <u>The Graphic</u><br />
January 24, 1880</td></tr>
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Both the English and American press covered the famine and there exists many stories and sketches from that particular era. To the left is the sketch of a woman gathering a meal in the field from an article entitled "The Distress in the West" from <u>The Graphic</u> on January 24, 1880.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The state of the tenant farmer was poor at best. Most lived in small thatched houses which were really nothing more than hovels. A description of which was printed in the article "The Distress in the West of Ireland" in </span><u style="text-align: justify;">Harper's Weekly</u><span style="text-align: justify;"> on February 14, 1880:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-E-rLxZX6g/UhwZCtq73UI/AAAAAAAAAMc/VGM2rBJmWXM/s1600/exterior.of.cabin.2-14-1880.harpers%2527.weekly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-E-rLxZX6g/UhwZCtq73UI/AAAAAAAAAMc/VGM2rBJmWXM/s200/exterior.of.cabin.2-14-1880.harpers%2527.weekly.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenant Thatched "House"<br />
From <u>Harper's Weekly</u><br />
February 14, 1880</td></tr>
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<i>"At present the miserable constructions on Irish farms area a source of amazement to a visitor who knows that he is among a people that pretend to live by agriculture. In vain he looks for specimens of the quadrangle straw yard, with surrounding buildings, which distinguishes most English farms. Except on the few large holding, there are no straw yards at all, and no farm premises beyond the small thatched houses or hovels which are here honored with the designation of barns, cow-houses, and stables--usually joined on to the farmer's dwelling-house..."</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">According to <u>Harper's Weekly</u> <i>"the vast majority of Irish farm land (97% in 1870) was owned by men who rented the land to tenant farmers, not by those who cultivated the land themselves. Land ownership was also concentrated in the hands of a few; in 1870, only 750 families owned 50% of the land in Ireland." </i>The population of the time was 5,000,000. With impending hunger and threat of another widespread famine, a social movement in the form of The Irish National Land League, also known as the Land League, was formed in 1879. <u>Harper's Weekly</u> goes on to explain that <i>"The Land League organized agitation throughout Ireland for an end to evictions and a radical change in the land system to allow tenants to become landowners. To enforce uniform compliance with their goals, the Land League convinced people to shun those tenants, land agents, and landlords who failed to cooperate."</i> The first such use of this tactic was against the landlord and agent named Charles Boycott.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRfAfQLLAJk/Uhv5r0alu-I/AAAAAAAAAL0/RCCizIX94Fg/s1600/8-26-13.boycott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRfAfQLLAJk/Uhv5r0alu-I/AAAAAAAAAL0/RCCizIX94Fg/s200/8-26-13.boycott.jpg" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Charles Boycott c 1880<br />
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Charles Boycott was both a landlord and an agent who collected rents for a landlord. He himself having entered into a 31-year lease for 300 acres in the town of Ballinrobe was a landlord. He also worked for the landlord, Lord Erne, in the management of 1000 acres. Lord Erne's estates had 38 tenant farmers of which Boycott was responsible for. Due to the 1879 Famine, Lorde Erne was allowing for a 10% reduction in collecting the rents. The tenant farmers demanded a 25% reduction. When the tenants were unable to pay their rents, mass evictions by Captain Boycott were ordered. In response, the implementation of shunning Captain Boycott was put into place by the Land League. Captain Boycott's shunning was so complete that even the person delivering mail refused after being threatened with bodily harm if mail was delivered to the Boycotts.</div>
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With the implementation of the shunning, Captain Boycott could not even harvest the crops in his field. The British state attempted to harvest his crop by calling on all Orangeman to come and assist when local labourers refused to do the same. In the end it took the protection of 2000 drafted into the area by the British state to bring in the harvest. According to a post from <u>The Irish History Podcast</u> entitled "An Introduction to the Land War 1879-1882": <i>"While the league did not attempt to oppose such a large force, the entire operation cost the British state 10,000 pounds to harvest a crop worth a few hundred pounds. This was a massive victory for the League as the state authorities could not carry out similar actions across the country--<b>the boycott was born</b>."</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1tj8CUcr4I/UhweQd8GMJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/V46cowpRzK8/s1600/capt.boycott&fam.bringing.in.harvest.before.troop.arrival.harper's.weekly.12-18-1880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1tj8CUcr4I/UhweQd8GMJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/V46cowpRzK8/s320/capt.boycott&fam.bringing.in.harvest.before.troop.arrival.harper's.weekly.12-18-1880.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boycott Family Harvesting Their Crops<br />
From <u>Harper's Weekly</u><br />
December 18, 1880</td></tr>
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Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</div>
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--An Old Irish Blessing</div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
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Historic Homes Specialist</div>
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sources: <a href="http://maggieblanck.com/">http://maggieblanck.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/">http://en.wikipedia.org</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/harp/0228.html">http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/harp/0228.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://irishhistorypodcast.ie/2011/05/20/an-introduction-to-the-land-war-1879-1882/">http://irishhistorypodcast.ie/2011/05/20/an-introduction-to-the-land-war-1879-1882/</a></div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-15522784282233277002013-08-19T22:33:00.001-07:002013-08-19T23:56:42.601-07:00<h2>
"A Home in a Prairie Town"</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20tkKuK1d88/UhLzpDBOuHI/AAAAAAAAAK8/4u8Iv_iP2oY/s1600/third.sketch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20tkKuK1d88/UhLzpDBOuHI/AAAAAAAAAK8/4u8Iv_iP2oY/s320/third.sketch.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1036 S. Third St., St. Charles, IL, painting</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The story begins...c 1910 in St. Charles, IL. This home, located at 1036 S. Third Street, was built in the Prairie style evidenced by the low-pitched roof and large overhanging eaves. In fact, the eaves measure 40" wide according to the most recent owner of the home who purchased it in 1956. Underneath the aluminum sheathing of the eaves can be found the original tongue and groove oak panels. Other elements of the Prairie style are seen in the square masonry that support the porch roof; the window placements and double hung original windows of which some still remain; the one-story wing; and the facade detailing of banding which emphasizes horizontal lines.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1036 S. Third St., St. Charles, IL, picture from MLS 7/2/13</td></tr>
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The Prairie style is one of America's few indigenous architectural styles. Developed in sympathy with the Arts and Crafts Movement out of England, the Prairie style was a deliberate attempt to develop an American architectural style. Interestingly, the Prairie style originated in Chicago and was mostly built between 1905 and 1915 and quickly went out of fashion after World War I. It was actually very short-lived in popularity as far as architectural styles go. Many of its landmark examples exist in the surrounding Chicago suburbs, in particular Oak Park and River Forest. Locally there is a Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style c 1906 home in Batavia at 637 North Batavia Avenue which can be seen in the picture below. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFiiKs0TiLs/UhL-YUSVx9I/AAAAAAAAALU/_CBxOLZjrrA/s1600/frank.lloyd.wright.1906.batavia.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFiiKs0TiLs/UhL-YUSVx9I/AAAAAAAAALU/_CBxOLZjrrA/s1600/frank.lloyd.wright.1906.batavia.JPEG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Lloyd Wright designed Prairie Style home<br />
637 North Batavia Avenue, Batavia<br />
c 1906--National Landmark Home</td></tr>
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The Prairie style earned its name after Frank Lloyd Wright's home design for the 1901 Ladies Home Journal magazine was dubbed: "A Home in a Prairie Town". The development of the style was ushered in by a feeling that Victorian homes were boxed in and confining and that the new industrial age with its assembly lines and mass production had lost touch with fine quality craftsmanship as well as resulting in dehumanizing workers. Frank Lloyd Wright, along with a group of architects who called themselves "The Chicago Group" (now commonly known as the Prairie School) designed this style in relation to the prairie landscape. Low horizontal lines mimicking the prairie were evident in the low-pitched roofs and large overhanging eaves. Built-ins and custom furniture were also part of the style. Everything about the Prairie style exuded practicality in direct opposition to the ornate Victorian home. <br />
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The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, </div>
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but one that makes the landscape more beautiful than before. </div>
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--Frank Lloyd Wright.</div>
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Please stay tuned as I will be updating this blog post with more particular information about the Third Street home as it relates to the history of St. Charles. One thing that I do know off-hand is that the builder and original owner of the home worked at the St. Charles Cable Piano Factory. The Cable Piano Company building in St. Charles was built in 1901 and at the height of its productivity employed as many as 500 employees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxP2NnuuO-s/UhMICBtgOiI/AAAAAAAAALk/0BF8yy4qZWY/s1600/cable.piano.company.st.charles.library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxP2NnuuO-s/UhMICBtgOiI/AAAAAAAAALk/0BF8yy4qZWY/s1600/cable.piano.company.st.charles.library.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable Piano Company<br />
St. Charles, IL<br />
Photo from St. Charles Library</td></tr>
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<i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<i>(An Old Irish blessing)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Historic Homes Specialist</div>
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Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty</div>
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Sources: McAlester--A Field Guide to American Houses</div>
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Architecture.about.com; Wikipedia; WrightOnTheWeb.com; MRED MLS</div>
Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-2977336683249968142013-08-12T13:26:00.000-07:002013-08-12T23:17:56.883-07:00<h2>
Blog Feature</h2>
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How exciting to have my blog featured in the The Beacon-News by Joy Davis. Please know that I will be blogging weekly and posting on Mondays. So stop back and visit to take a stroll back into history!</div>
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<i>Until we meet again, m</i><i>ay God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<i>(An Old Irish Blessing)</i></div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-17118921763006809632013-08-12T13:19:00.002-07:002013-08-12T23:20:26.394-07:00<h2>
National Style Front Gable House with Greek Revival Influence</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">248 N. May St.<br />
Hinckley, IL</td></tr>
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The story begins...c 1890 in Hinckley, Illinois. This property was relocated sometime in the early 1950s from its original location on Route 30, also known as Lincoln Highway. This house is a Gable-Front Folk House built in the National style according to "A Field Guide of American Houses" by Virginia and Lee McAlester. The simplicity of the architectural features and its front-gabled placement of entry shows some Greek Revival influence. In essence one of the remaining Greek Revival architectural influences left as the Greek Revival style home fell out of fashion in the late 1860s was the front-gable house. This type of house was well-suited for urban lots and impacted domesticity in a way that allowed a more private portion of the home to exist. In the past homes were built with a side gable and center entry and public and private rooms merged together. With the Greek Revival's front-gable entry rooms in the house could be closed off for privacy.</div>
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The tip-off to the Greek Revival influence is the cornice line of the main roof as being emphasized with a wide band of trim (the trim just below the roof line). This type of architectural feature is really more indicative of an earlier house fashion and would commonly be found on a Greek Revival home (c 1825-1860). The National style of house was built c 1850-1890--so this home is built at the end of the National style era with Greek Revival influence. The windows also have a simple decorative lintel with classical features once again similar to a Greek Revival home. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide band of trim along the cornice line</td></tr>
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What many people may not know about Hinckley is that it was the site of the first road game for the Harlem Globetrotters on January 7, 1927, in front of a crowd of 300 which was just about half of the population of the whole town. (1920 census population was 663.) One of the town residents had gone to college with the owner, Abe Saperstein, of the Harlem Globetrotters and he invited them to play in Hinckley. Despite the name "Harlem", the team was from Chicago and arrived in Hinckley in a Model "T" Ford. While speaking with one of the volunteers, Jerry Bahl, at the Hinckley Historical Society, I was informed that at the time the Globetrotters came to Hinckley, the players were not allowed to stay in the town's hotel which was located at May and Route 30. It was related that a kind doctor in town took the players in and allowed them to stay in the second floor of his building. Imagine that the now world-famous Harlem Globetrotters were once turned away from lodging! </div>
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This image from the Hinckley Historical Society is the north side of Lincoln Avenue from May Street. The caption reads: "This is the hotel where the Globe Trotters were refused lodging-photo taken in about 1912. In 1928 Highway U.S. 30 was constructed through the town and the streets were paved with concrete at that time. The three buildings to the right of the hotel are still standing. The hotel is not." The hotel is the building in the forefront of the left side of the picture.</div>
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Hinckley remains a small rural town with a population of 2,070. There is an active downtown and a local grocery store. The Hinckley Historical Society has done a wonderful job in preserving their small town's history and their museum is well worth a visit. They are located at 145 East Lincoln Highway, Hinckley, IL, and is open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.</div>
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The property at 248 N. May St. had later additions put onto it and currently has 3193 square feet of living space! The property has been converted into a 2-flat and is currently a foreclosure and listed at $119,900. For more information about this property please contact Marian Boveri at 847-308-2424.</div>
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<em>Until we meet again...m</em><em>ay God hold you in the palm of His hand.</em></div>
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<em>(An Old Irish Blessing)</em></div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri</div>
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Historic Homes Specialist</div>
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Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty</div>
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St. Charles, IL</div>
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847-308-2424</div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-42935680933056639412013-04-11T12:05:00.006-07:002013-04-11T12:42:37.861-07:00Please Allow Your Bread to Ripen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is interesting to note that in the cookbook <u>The American Economical Housekeeper and Family Receipt Book</u> ("receipt" meaning "recipe") by Mrs. E.A. Howland, written in 1845 and having remained in publication for the next 45 years, the difficulty of digesting bread made of wheat flour is addressed on the very first page. With all the issues surrounding modern-day gluten sensitivity, it is fascinating to discover directions on making wheat bread more easily digestible. One must wonder if within there is some application that could relate to easing our modern-day consumption and digestion. Of course modern-day U.S. grown wheat has been modified to include a higher level of gluten--which certainly may attribute to the increase in gluten sensitivity. In addition, our wheat is more finally milled than the wheat in the 1800s and therefore the remnants of the grain within the wheat flour itself would more than likely account for the need of the bread to ripen or cure, as we might think of it in modern-day terms. Section I entitled "Ripe Bread" discusses the importance of allowing the bread to change, or ripen, before being eaten as wheat bread taken out of the oven is "unprepared for the stomach". </div>
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"...Young persons, or persons in the enjoyment of vigorous health, may eat bread immediately after being baked, without any sensible injury from it; but weakly and aged persons cannot, and none can eat such, without doing harm to the digestive organs." </blockquote>
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Now, on one hand it might make sense to let the bread ripen had it been made of sourdough as most breads in the early 1800s were. However, this cookbook is from 1845 and the recipes that follow call for yeast or saleratus (baking soda) rather than a sourdough starter so I revert back to the larger amount of grain left within the flour itself as reason for need to ripen. Reference is made to bread going through a change similar to that of "newly-brewed beer, or newly-churned buttermilk, neither being healthy until after the change." The <u>Economical Housekeeper</u> explains:</div>
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"During the change in bread, it sends off a large portion of carbon, or unhealthy gas,and imbibes a large portion of oxygen, or healthy gas. Bread has, according to the computation of physicians, one fifth more nutriment in it when ripe, than it has when just out of the oven."</blockquote>
The next line is absolutely brilliant:<br />
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"It not only has more nutriment, but imparts a much greater degree of cheerfulness."</blockquote>
Essentially then to eat unripened bread referenced one to then be left with a "less brighter spirit". Now, it goes on to discuss the importance of all housewives to connect in this thought that as the bread discharges carbon it "imbibes" oxygen therefore it is essential for the "bread to ripen where it can inhale the oxygen in a pure state". In this day and age we don't oftentimes think about smells and how they can "contaminate" food when they are left out in the open. However, we can relate to the experience of a strong smell in the refrigerator essentially permeating the food and causing it to taste as of the smell. In 1845 there would have been far more odors emanating from the home and it was recommended that the housewife take note of this and to make sure the air is pure where the bread is left to ripen.<br />
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"Bread will always taste of the air that surrounds it while ripening--hence it should ripen where the air is pure. It should never ripen in a cellar, nor a close cupboard, nor in a bedroom. The noxious vapors of a cellar, or a cupboard, never should enter into and form a part of the bread we eat." </blockquote>
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The <u>Economical Housekeeper</u> goes on to explain how to "renew" bread that is several days old "so as to have all the freshness and lightness of new bread"<br />
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"...by simply putting it into a common steamer over a fire, and steaming it half or three quarters of an hour. The vessel under the steamer, containing the water, should not be more than half full; otherwise the water may boil up into the steamer, and wet the bread. After the bread is thus steamed, it should be taken out of the steamer, and wrapped loosely in a cloth, to dry and cool, and remain so a short time, when it will be ready to cut and use. It will then be like cold, new bread."</blockquote>
I find it interesting that she referred to the bread as "cold". I believe that was her directive to say that you should allow the bread to fully cook in order to enjoy the quality of a like-new bread. There are many things in the cookbook that are presumptive in that it is believed by the author that the reader has a basic knowledge of cooking. Even with a modern-day basic knowledge of cooking--these recipes would be difficult to follow as the terms and means of cooking are so much different than they are today. A simple look at the picture below from the inside page of the book depicting a "modern" kitchen is all that is needed to see that the means of cooking have much changed in the past 168 years. Note that two women are needed to get the task done! Cooking was a time-consuming and essential part of everyday life in the 1800s.<br />
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"Don't forget to ripen your bread." would most definitely be met with some confusion (and perhaps an odd look) in this modern-day era as this certainly is not a term currently used to refer to bread and its proper preparation. Nevertheless, I find old cookbooks fascinating as they do present a small window into the past and the times wherein they were written.<br />
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<i>"Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."</i></div>
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<i>(An old Irish blessing)</i></div>
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Marian Boveri, Real Estate Consultant</div>
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Specializing in Historic Homes</div>
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Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty</div>
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847-308-2424</div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-69083291172868544912013-03-11T00:28:00.002-07:002013-04-11T12:18:41.806-07:00There's a Staircase in My Window! <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">William Howard Taft National Historic Site<br />
Cincinnati, Ohio</td></tr>
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While travelling in Ohio recently, my husband and I visited the William Howard Taft National Historic Site located in Cincinnati. One of the reasons we thought it would be fun to visit is because my husband and I met at William Howard Taft High School in Chicago, IL. I remember thinking "who is this man that our school is named after?" when I first attended. I don't think anyone quite ever gave me that answer so when we saw that his boyhood home was nearby we just had to visit. What a pleasant surprise to find a Greek Revival home as this is the same architectural style of the National and Local Historic Landmark Dunham-Hunt House--which the City of St. Charles had recently contracted with me to market and sell--in St. Charles, IL. Having done an extensive house historiography as part of my marketing for the Dunham-Hunt House, I have grown to be very intrigued with the Greek Revival style home. Its styling represents the sentiment of connecting with democracy and even more interestingly, its architectural components of room placement actually reflect what was going on in family dynamics and the public vs. private life of families during the mid-1800s into the early 1900s. (I'll save that for another time.) Even more exciting was to discover a little architectural quirk that is definitely attached to Greek Revival architecture that reopens the discussion surrounding the Dunham-Hunt house and some mysterious "windows" on the side of the house that have shutters with bricks behind them.</div>
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Essential to Greek Revival architecture is symmetry. Symmetry is so important to a Greek Revival style home that the placement of windows oftentimes remained identical on all points of the structure even if it was not architecturally or functionally suited to the interior lay-out of the home. So exterior symmetry at all costs! <br />
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At the Dunham-Hunt House in St. Charles, IL, discussion surrounded the shuttered and bricked "window" placement on the exterior of the property. The question of whether or not real windows were ever in place or whether the home was built with false windows to stay true to the symmetry was thought to have been answered by the fact that the interior stairs run along this same wall with the "bricked in" windows. The discussion centered around the "fact" that no one would ever put a window with a stair case running through it. Therefore this was proof that the windows were never real but only replicated on the outside in order to maintain architectural integrity of the Greek Revival architecture. Perhaps that reasoning would have sufficed except for the recent visit to the historic birthplace and boyhood home of President William Howard Taft in Cincinnati, Ohio.</div>
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As can be seen by the side view of both these Greek Revival style homes, window placement is done symmetrically even in additions that were added at a later date. In the pictures below of the interior of the William Howard Taft home, the stairs referenced are the ones placed in the addition along the side of the house shown here. Symmetry on the exterior of the home prevailed over architecturally and functionally correct lay-out of the interior of the home.<br />
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Interior Stairs of Greek Revival Addition</td></tr>
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Evidence that even staircases would not interfere with "proper" exterior placement of windows in Greek Revival architecture was found in the Historic Home of President William Howard Taft in Cincinnati, Ohio. Above you can see how close the edge of the window comes to the bottom step--but look up the staircase and you'll see the corner of a window peeking out of the stairway! Below, you can see that the staircase clearly cuts through the window. No doubt about it--exterior aesthetic superseded functionality in staying true to the elements of symmetry in Greek Revival architecture.</div>
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Exterior Window Placement Overrides Aesthetic and Function </td></tr>
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I also thought it was interesting to see that the stairs in the original portion of the home of the William Howard Taft home below hold a similarity to the ones in the Dunham-Hunt House. This reflects common interior elements of Greek Revival styling. These stairs however sit on an interior wall so no windows to block in their making. Note the newel post in both homes flairs out towards the bottom. Flaring of the newel post is styling indicative of homes built before 1860. </div>
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Cincinnati, OH--Interior Stairs Original Portion of House</td></tr>
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The picture below is the staircase in the Dunham-Hunt House that runs along an exterior wall. The wall along the staircase could have originally had windows in it with the staircase running through a portion of them as the exterior has bricked in windows with shutters. </div>
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St. Charles, IL--Interior Stairs Original Portion of House</td></tr>
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Of course, to discover if the exterior windows are "fake" or real would be easily answered by taking a look behind the wallpaper on the wall that runs along these very stairs. Perhaps during the renovation by the new owner the mystery will be solved. </div>
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I guess all we can do is wait and see...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Special thanks to the National Park Service ranger who kindly </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">let me in to take pictures of the interior of the home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Marian Boveri, Real Estate Consultant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Specializing in Historic Homes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">www.ThisLooksLikeHome.com</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(An Old Irish blessing)</span></i></div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-53175499097063060612013-02-13T23:54:00.001-08:002013-04-11T12:19:07.604-07:00Historic Getaway<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Being the time of year when we think of romantic things to do, I thought I would share with you one of my favorite spots to go for a weekend getaway with my husband--The Washington House Inn in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Of course, one of the things that attracts me to the place is its history and the feeling of taking a journey back to a simpler time.</i> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington House Inn<br />
Cedarburg, WI</td></tr>
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<i>One of the things that draws me to historic homes and buildings is the connection with the past that is evoked when in their presence. It is almost as if the stories of those that went before us can be heard. To me, it's like taking a journey into the past. I often find myself imagining what the daily lives of those that lived and worked in these places were like. I guess that is one of the many reasons I enjoy staying at the Washington House Inn located in the Washington Avenue Historic District and listed on the National Register for Historic Places. Walking the streets of this lovely town is like stepping back in time. When you enter the Washington House Inn, there is for a moment a feeling that you have been transported back into the late 1800s. This delightful inn was built in 1886--though its origins go back as far as 1846. It is a peaceful place with beautiful, tranquil, and clean rooms decorated in Victorian or country themes.</i><br />
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<i>Washington House Inn</i></td></tr>
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<i>The present inn was built in the Victorian style and replaced an earlier frame structure. It operated as a hotel until the 1920s and was converted into apartments and shops thereafter. In 1983 the hotel was brought back to its original purpose and became a bed and breakfast. The public rooms of the hotel are decorated in Victorian style. </i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><i>I personally like the country rooms, some of which are in the second floor of the Greek Revival building next door, with their walls exposed to reveal the old stone and mortar. True to the Greek Revival architectural style, these rooms exemplify the simplicity of decorating and one is brought back to a simpler time. Oh, and that's not to mention the comfortable beds--truly a modern amenity--and luxurious linens that make for a most tranquil of night's sleep.</i></span><br />
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<i>Washington House Inn</i></td></tr>
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<i>The dining room is a peaceful and charming place to sit and relax. There is a wine and cheese social hour in the evenings from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for guests staying at the hotel. It is a lovely time to sit and chat and guests do often visit with one another. Breakfast is served for guests from 7:00-10:00 a.m. with delicious home-made goodies, granola cereal (my favorite), various breads for toasting, and a delightful selection of juices as well as tea and coffee. I must say that the dining room is one of my all-time favorite spots to just sit and relax. </i></div>
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<i>The staff is always friendly and most accommodating. Recipes from breakfast are shared with guests so they can experience a little of the Washington House Inn even after they return home. The innkeeper, Wendy Porterfield, makes sure that any special needs one may have is met on each returning visit. It is these little touches that keep me coming back year after year. If you're interested in staying at the inn you can find more information here <a href="http://www.washingtonhouseinn.com/" target="_blank">www.washingtonhouseinn.com/</a> Enjoy your visit!</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Creek Settlement<br />
Cedarburg, WI</td></tr>
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<i>While staying in Cedarburg there are many historic sites to take in. There are 216 buildings in Cedarburg that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of course the Cedar Creek Settlement, the location of the former Cedarburg Woolen Mill, is a wonderful place to visit. There you'll find the Cedar Creek Winery with a wine tasting room and tour. You can also sit and look out at the river and dam while you enjoy lunch at the Creme and Crepe Cafe. </i></div>
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<i>While strolling down the street or along the river don't forget to take in all the beautiful architectural buildings and homes. Many of the buildings in the historic district that were built between the 1840s and early 1900s were built in the vernacular style utilizing locally mined limestone and fieldstone. You will also find Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian architecture. Shops, coffee houses, restaurants and businesses line the street. I always stop at "From the Heart" to see her whimsical seasonal items. Cedarburg is truly a historic treasure just a half-hour's drive from Milwaukee, WI.</i></div>
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<i>This Looks Like Home! </i> </div>
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For more information about historic homes in the Fox River Valley contact:</div>
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Marian McCoy Boveri, Real Estate Consultant<br />
Specializing in Historic Homes</div>
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Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424</div>
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www.thislookslikehome.com</div>
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<i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(An old Irish blessing.)</span></i></div>
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<br />Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-39027660395431728472013-01-04T10:24:00.001-08:002013-04-11T12:17:48.238-07:00A Visit to the Home of the First Italian Settler in Geneva, IL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Mrs. Edwena Rabella" serves some Italian sweets for guests who visited an Open House at 810 Dow Street, Geneva, IL. Mrs. Rabella and her husband, Joseph, were considered to be the first Italians to have settled in Geneva. 810 Dow Avenue was more than likely their original and only home in Geneva which they purchased on August 18, 1901. In 1919 Adwena was widowed and in 1923 remarried Tony LaVendi. He sold the home in 1927.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although Geneva is known for its Swedish settlers, many do not realize that Italians numbered almost as many as the Swedes in the early 1900s. The Italian gardens were well known in Geneva where vegetables and fruit were grown and grape arbors were a common site in the early 1900s. Many of the Italians that settled in Geneva grew grapes as wine was essential to their social gatherings. Ancestors of the Rabellas' shared that there were many grape arbors at their home and one can imagine that the two lots just south of the home which the Rabella's had once owned held a beautiful garden and splendid grape arbors. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Italians made their own wine oftentimes in their basements consisting upwards of 80-90 gallons. If they didn't have their own garden they purchased grapes by the carload in order to make their own wine. The juice from the grapes would ferment in barrels in the basement and "...for weeks afterwards the whole house would smell sweetly of the wine fermenting in the basement." {quote and information from <u>Geneva, Illinois: A History of its Times and Places</u>.}</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Looks Like Home!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information about this home contact:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marian Boveri, Real Estate Consultant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Historic Homes Specialty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(An old Irish blessing.)</i></span></div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-26628901466047147552012-09-06T23:26:00.002-07:002013-04-11T12:19:40.729-07:00Mr. and Mrs. Bela Hunt Welcome Guests to Historic Dunham-Hunt House in St. Charles, IL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Mr. and Mrs. Bela T. Hunt" greeted visitors to their home--which is the first brick dwelling to have been built in St. Charles--for an open house tour at 304 Cedar Avenue on Thursday, September 6, 2012. Bela T. Hunt arrived in St. Charles 176 years ago this month at the age of 23.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B.T. Hunt purchased site unseen half the interest in a town site called Charleston--which St. Charles was named until 1839--as well as half interest in the water rights, power mill, and company store from his brother's employee who had recently returned from a trip in Chicago. The employee had met Ira Minard when Minard was working in a hotel in Chicago. B.T. Hunt was instrumental in establishing the new town along with Minard and Ferson. The men formed a company called Minard, Ferson and Hunt which continued until the deaths of Ira Minard in 1867 at the age of 67, and Read Ferson in 1865, at the age of 56. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only is B.T. Hunt credited with having built the first brick dwelling in St. Charles, circa 1841, but he also is credited with building the first frame building in the town circa 1836--the company store--along with his partners Ferson and Minard. This was the same year they also completed the dam. In 1837 B.T. Hunt purchased the interests of David Howard and Nathan Collins small hotel. He added to the hotel and reopened it on July 4, 1838 with the first ball to be held in the new town. On March 21, 1838, the first election in Charleston took place in this same hotel. B.T. Hunt eventually traded the hotel for land in DuPage County with Daniel Clark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B.T. Hunt erected two commercial buildings in downtown between 1838 and 1839 and established a mercantile business of his own in 1838. The Chicago Directory listed him has having a business of feather beds and mattresses on South Water Street. He also operated a tannery, paper mill, and hardware business--the most prosperous of them being the paper mill. In 1845 the mill was erected and said to be the first of its kind northwest of the Ohio River. The company was known as Hunt, Butler and Hunt in 1846. The mill on the east side of the river was enlarged and improved and a second mill built on the west side of the river in 1847 which then burned in 1856. The mill was rebuilt even larger and employed 80 people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B.T. Hunt also built a tannery on the east side of the river and operated it until 1861. Hunt's occupation was listed as a harness manufacturer in The Kane County Directory of 1859-60. Hunt's endeavors also took him to Chicago where he operated a shoe business on Lake Street. Hunt also operated a hardware business from 1858-1890 and was listed as being in hardware, stoves and tinware as well as a farmer with 147-1/2 acres in The Kane County Gazetteer and Directory of 188-1890. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B.T. Hunt married Harriet Lathorp on October 12, 2012. She was a direct descendant of William Bradley, a Mayflower pilgrim--sixth generation Together they had four sons, Charles L., Frank B., Clarence T., and Wilber C. Charles died in 1857 at the age of 13. Frank served as Mayor of St. Charles from 1881-1885, 1899-1905, and 1907-1911.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harriet passed away on June 10, 1904, at the age of 82. Bela T. Hunt passed away on October 23, 1908, at the age of 96. Ellie Hunt, Bela and Harriet's granddaughter, continued to live in the family home up until 1980 when she moved out at the age of 100. Ellie passed away on June 30, 1982, 1-1/2 months from her 103rd birthday. The Hunt's were the only family to occupy this home as the home was purchased by Jane Dunham and converted into a museum in 1980.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{This information was compiled from the National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form and <u>Reflections of St. Charles</u>.}</span></div>
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Marian Boveri, Real Estate Consultant<br />
Specializing in Historic Homes<br />
Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, St. Charles, IL</div>
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www.ThisLooksLikeHome.com</div>
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<i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></div>
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<i>(An old Irish blessing)</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-23177731364773344162012-09-04T00:23:00.001-07:002013-03-11T20:21:30.354-07:00Historic National and Local Landmark Dunham-Hunt House in St. Charles, IL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story begins...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sometime around 1841. The Dunham-Hunt house is said to be the oldest brick residence in St. Charles. In the book, <u>Past and Present of Kane County 1878</u>, it states: "In 1841 the first brick dwelling in the place was built by B.T. Hunt from a kiln of brick manufactured by John Penny in the public square, upon the East side." The Penny Brickyard was located at what is now the corner of Main Street and Fifth Avenue. The property is currently owned by the City of St. Charles and is both a National and Local Historic Landmark property.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bela T. Hunt arrived in St. Charles in September 1836 to a village of 20-25 acres in size. Seeing the opportunity to grow the new settlement, a company under the name of Minard, Ferson & Hunt was formed in that same year. The company then went on to purchase another 200 acres which was used to lay the foundation of the new town then called Charleston. B.T. Hunt is considered to be one of the foremost men to have built up the town and early enterprises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A store built in the following spring was the first frame building in Charleston. In that same year a dam was built across the river and a saw mill was erected on the East side--both credited to the Minard, Ferson & Hunt company as having built the same. The earliest hotel had been built around this same time and changed hands a few times before B.T. Hunt purchased it. A tavern in the building is said to have been completed by B.T. Hunt and dedicated on the 4th of July 1838 by holding the first public ball in the town. In 1839, the name St. Charles was adopted by the town when it was discovered that another town by the name of Charleston had already been established in Illinois.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1841, B.T. Hunt was elected the first Kane County Treasurer. B.T. Hunt married Harriet L. Lathrop on October 12, 1842. B.T. Hunt was 30 and she was 20. Together they had four boys, Charles L., Frank B., Clarence T., and Wilbur C. Charles L. having died in 1857. Their son, Frank B. Hunt, was the third mayor of St. Charles and served from 1881-1885, then 1899-1905, and again 1907-1911. He lived with his family along with his father and mother in this same house. Wilbur C. Hunt was the city's attorney and his son, Edwin H. Hunt was the 11th mayor of St. Charles having run against his uncle Frank B. Hunt and winning. He served from 1911-1921. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The house is built in the Greek Revival Style evidenced by the simple, rectangular plan, front facing gable, and strong gable roof. The front door has classic Greek Revival features with doors, sidelights, and transom. The wide band of trim emphasizing the cornice line of the main roof is another common element found in Greek Revival architecture. The windows are 6 over 6 paned glass, typical of Greek Revival styling, some being original to the home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Greek Revival style is an adaptation of the classic Greek temple. To the popular mind, the Greek temple was associated with American democracy origins in ancient Greece. Further, Greece’s involvement in a war for independence (1821-1830) aroused sympathy in the newly independent United States. In addition, the War of 1812 fought against England diminished American affection for British influence including the still dominant Federal style of domestic architecture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Members of the Hunt family continued to live in the house until it was purchased by Jane Dunham from Wayne in July of 1980 and opened the museum officially on December 6 of the same year. Jane Dunham lovingly restored the house as it reminded her of the home built in Wayne by her great-grandfather Solomon Hunt, which is now the Dunham-Hunt Riding Club. Jane was a descendant of Lorenzo Ward on her mother's side. Lorenzo Ward was a pioneer family in the early days of St. Charles. In conjunction with The St. Charles historical Society, she restored the Hunt House and opened the Dunham-Hunt museum with full intention of handing over the same to St. Charles to continue to operate as a museum. She brought in family artifacts and put them on display bringing 1870's furniture from the Dunham Castle. She was integral in getting the house to receive its National Historic Landmark status in 1982. The house was turned over to the City of St. Charles in 1986 and continued to operate as a museum under Jane's direction until her death in 1995. The museum was opened again in 1998 and run by the St. Charles Heritage Center until its closing in 2010. The property has been vacant since. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more about the history of this home please join me for a Wine and Cheese Reception at "The Office", 201 East Main St., St. Charles, IL, beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by Presentations including the History of the Dunham-Hunt House and Tax Credits for Landmark Properties: Residential and Commercial. The evening will commence with a Open House Tour at the Dunham Hunt House, 304 Cedar Avenue, St. Charles, IL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This property is currently listed at $199,900 and in need of restoration. It has a mixed-use zoning of CBD-2 which allows for residential as well as commercial use.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Looks Like Home!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information about this home contact:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marian Boveri, Historic Homes Specialist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.ThisLooksLikeHome.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(An old Irish blessing)</i></span></div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-84675236913702627882012-09-03T19:36:00.002-07:002013-03-10T22:27:21.379-07:00Home of First Italian Settler in Geneva, IL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>sometime in 1872. This property </em><span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><em>itself was originally part of a 160-acre parcel of land owned by F. Stratton and registered with the U.S. Government on June 6, 1842.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to later subdivision and holding of this property by various investors, it is difficult to determine the exact occupants of the home throughout its early history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a name that shows up in the chain of title, Joseph Payson, is found to have taken out a mortgage on a section of the acreage on November 5, 1856, which was released on August 30, 1872.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This release coincides with the 1872 build date as recorded at the Assessor’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it is possible that Joseph Payson was the original builder of the home as the Geneva History Center indicated that the names showing on the title in 1867-1879 were more than likely investors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is known for certain is that on August 10, 1892, a 20-acre parcel including this property was subdivided from a 39-acre parcel into Cheevers Subdivision and that Guiseppe, aka Joseph, Rabella and his wife, Aldwena, purchased the lots containing the home on August 19, 1901.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><em>Mrs. and Mrs. Rabella were Italian and when Joseph passed away in October of 1919, his obituary headline said he was the “Oldest Italian Citizen” and “said to have been one of the first Italians to make a home in Geneva”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was known to be a “quiet and steady laborer” who had worked for the City of Geneva.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife continued to reside at the property and eventually remarried Toni LaVendi, who was employed by the C&NW Railroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Geneva is known for its Swedish settlers, many do not realize that Italians numbered almost as many as the Swedes in the early 1900s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, many of the Italians grew grapes in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, on April 1, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Rabella purchased lots 25-29 which would be the present-day lot directly to the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can imagine that the purchase was to utilize the land for growing grapes as ancestors of the Rabella’s stopped by and told the present-day owners, Lee and Janice Faulkner, that their family had lived there and had grown grapes on the land.</em> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><em>Architecturally speaking, the home is a “Gable Front and Wing” which is also referred to as “Upright and Wing” or “Temple and Wing” and is considered to be an American vernacular style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vernacular architecture reflects local needs, materials available, and local traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gable Front and Wing is a descendant of the Greek revival style but without ornamentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This architectural form was originally built for the middle class and generally designed and built by tradesmen as opposed to the homeowner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a popular style for most of the 19th century particularly during 1830 to 1890.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Gable Front and Wing is an L-design which holds the traditional bedrooms and kitchen in the “L” portion of the house while the wing holds the parlor, staircase, and additional bedrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Faulkner’s added an addition onto the back of the house creating additional living and bedroom space as well as enclosing the back porch to create</em> <em>an inviting eating area with splayed ceiling.</em><em> <o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>The Faulkner’s made some delightful changes to the home which reflect the Victorian era in which this home was built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In essence, the Faulkner’s brought this home into a more Princess Anne styling wherein there is complexity in the roofline; a variety of architectural forms and textures; various colors and exterior wall surface materials; and gingerbread trim on the porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Princess Anne style is sometimes used to describe a simpler version of Queen Anne architecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely these changes reflect the type of alterations a homeowner would have made to update their home to reflect the current “fashion” during this very era.</em> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">This home was built using ballon-style framing--a building technique that originated in Chicago in the 1830s, came into popularity in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, and was actually utilized in the building of the elaborate architectural featres found during the Victorian era. According to historian Kingston heath, "The balloon farme is clearly a product of the American Industrial Revolution" The principal advantages were that it used less lumber (albeit longer pieces of lumber), involved less construction time, and didn't require extensive skills for constructing thereby resulting in a 40% reduction in constsruction costs. (Heath, <u>Balloon Frame</u>) </span>Exterior walls are created utilizing long 2x4s extending uninterrupted from sill to roof line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As opposed to the earlier style timber framing which utilized large timbers interlocked with chiseled joints secured with wood pegs, the balloon framing relied upon nails to secure each piece and floor joists are nailed to the studs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Modern-day building codes discourage this type of framing wherein the walls are open from sill to roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During their extensive remodeling, the Faulkner’s put fire-stops in between the floors and insulation in the walls thereby filling the void resulting in bringing the structure in line with modern-day fire codes</em>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><em>All the plaster walls—originally made utilizing a mortar mixed with chicken feathers then covered with a thin coat of lime—were replaced allowing for the insulation of the entire home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interior and exterior woodwork and windows were replaced while remaining true to the architectural elements of the period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The extensive remodel resulted in the removal of any woodwork and walls that would have contained any hazardous painting materials.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><em>A bathroom which had been added that took up a portion of the now-living room was removed and the pantry in the kitchen converted to the new bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mentioned, the Faulkner’s enclosed the old porch, insulated, and raised the ceiling creating the delightful breakfast nook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basement stairs, which originally were entered through a trap door in the basement, were rebuilt and utilized a new doorway from the breakfast nook to gain access to the basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basement was long-ago hand dug out to accommodate more storage. <o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-default-font-family: "Script MT Bold"; mso-latin-font-family: "Script MT Bold";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><em>The Faulkner’s, having just celebrated their 43rd year of owning this home, have been the longest owner’s of the home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second longest owners were the Martin’s from 1942 to 1969, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the third being the Rabella’s from 1902 to 1927.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1933 the home was taken back by the bank during the Depression and rented by C. Edgar Murray, a Geneva photographer who had a studio at 319-1/2 W. State St.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forever a part of the history of this home, The Faulkner’s have lovingly wrote their story in its care and preservation that will remain as part of its history as the next chapter awaits to be written by the new owners of this charming historic home.<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information about this home contact:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marian Boveri, Historic Homes Specialist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thislookslikehome.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.ThisLooksLikeHome.com</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(An old Irish blessing)</i></span></div>
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-31659797961216603542012-08-31T23:40:00.002-07:002013-03-11T20:21:48.922-07:00Historic Souster Residence in Elgin, IL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in 1913. This Crafstman-style house was the final residence of Mr. and Mrs.George Souster. Mr. Souster was first the baker and then the grounds-keeper for the Elgin Hospital for the Insane (Elgin Mental Hospital.) His gift for gardening led him to build a large nursery and florist business in Elgin. He was well-known in Elgin as he was a very successful entrepeneur and kind to those less-fortunate. The home was moved in August of 1950, from the north gate of Elgin State Hospital to its present location to make way for the Route 20 by-pass. At that time it was occupied by their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Hamilton, and their daughter, Miss Elizabeth K. Souster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the history of St. Mary's Parish can be found evidence of the Souster's kindness to those less-fortunate. Mrs. Margaret Souster was the Vice President of St. Mary's Social and Benevolent Society which was organized on March 11, 1894. This excerpt from the booklet <u>St. Mary's Golden Jubilee 1851-1901</u> written in 1902 explains what the society did: "Its motto has been 'Each for all and all for each.' The 150 members have made an honest effort to live up to the high standard of its motto. Many needy families can testify to the kind acts performed in an unostentatious manner by the ladies of the society. The first officers of the society were: Mrs.E. Lynch, president; Mrs. Geo. Souster, vice president; Miss S. A.Guilford, secretary, and Mrs. Jas. Meehan, treasurer...The money disbursed by the benevolent committee since 1894 has been $1,500. Socially the society is a success. it is grateful to the general public for the liberal patronage that has always been bestowed upon it. The society appreciates the favors of philanthropic friends."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evidence of George Souster's gift at gardening can be found in a description of the grounds also found in the booklet <u>St. Mary's Golden Jubilee 1851-1901</u>: "The Elgin State Hospital for the Insane was opened for the admission of patients being from Cook County. The Elgin instiution is for the northern district of the State, each county being allowed a quota in proportion to the population. The tendencey in the present treatment of the insane is to give to the patient the greatest liberty possible, commensurate with the proper discipline and to divert his attention by placing before hiimthe more attractive in life,and to this end this institution has a wide reputation. The grounds of the hospital are a revelation, beautiful lakes, and drives, boulevards, cement walks, knolls, rustic bridges arching over numerous rivulets, acres of flower-beds, rose bushes and shade-trees is the scene which greets the eyes of one strolling through the grounds."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">American crafstman style also referred to as the American Arts and Crafts Movement was an American lifestyle philosophy that began in the late 19th century and continued into the 1930s. The American movement was influenced by the British movement which was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution as an effort to promote handmade and crafstmen work over machine-made products. Elements of the Crafstman-style that are evident in this home are the low-pitched gabled roof; front porch with columns; partially-paned front door; decorative shingles; large over-hang; and planked siding. The following link has some great information about elements of the Craftsman-style home: <a href="http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/planning/craftsmansurvey/craftsman%20style%20guide-pdf%20version.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/planning/craftsmansurvey/craftsman%20style%20guide-pdf%20version.pdf</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This home is currently on the market as a bank-owned property and in need of restoration.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Looks Like Home!</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information about this home contact:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marian Boveri, Historic Homes Specialist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424, Cell or visit</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thislookslikehome.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.thislookslikehome.com</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(An old Irish blessing)</i></span><br />
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</em>Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-55156323226152633392011-10-19T15:41:00.000-07:002011-10-19T15:44:02.228-07:00So many people are wondering why banks just don't work with more distressed homeowners. This article explains it very well. Pay close attention to #5--it explains why it is more profitable for banks to foreclose than to do a work-out.<div><br /></div><a href="http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/10/18/mortgage-prof-why-banks-foreclose-instead-of-settling-for-les/?icid=maing-grid7|hp-laptop|dl4|sec1_lnk3|105578">http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/10/18/mortgage-prof-why-banks-foreclose-instead-of-settling-for-les/?icid=maing-grid7|hp-laptop|dl4|sec1_lnk3|105578</a>Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-83694506174081069092011-10-18T14:54:00.000-07:002013-03-11T20:22:20.676-07:00Historic Queen Anne in St. Charles, IL<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9zxVI6XT_Q/Tp32f1KwBoI/AAAAAAAAACo/2N7F9gdXGhs/s1600/Historic.Homes.Journal.pic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664954933010499202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9zxVI6XT_Q/Tp32f1KwBoI/AAAAAAAAACo/2N7F9gdXGhs/s320/Historic.Homes.Journal.pic.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 220px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">The story begins…</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This home was built in the Queen Anne style towards the end of the Victorian architectural period. The building styles of post Civil War America were very much fueled by the new industrial age and accompanying prosperity. In addition, in 1880 Sherwin Williams developed a linseed oil paint formula that succeeded in maintaining the suspension of color in the paint itself; thereby, making available for the first time a wide variety of mass-produced pre-mixed colors. By 1887, many people were painting their houses in brighter, lighter colors as opposed to the one color white, beige, or gray of their predecessors. The exterior of this home has just been freshly painted using historic paint colors from that era.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; font-style: italic; language: EN; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-default-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-latin-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">While color is one of the more easily identifiable features of Victorian style, the Queen Anne brought with it certain architectural elements of its own. Technological developments in milling simplified the making of more complex architectural features. As can be seen on this home, architectural intricacies of multiple and cantilevered gables, rounded corners, different wall textures found in the gables’ patterned wood shingles, and porch with spindles and gingerbread lend themselves to the ornamentation that the Queen Anne is known for. Other Queen Anne elements found within this home are a formal entrance hall, compartmentalized rooms with round corners, and period woodwork. Step back in time to a period of gracious living!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Looks Like Home! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information about this home contact:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Marian Boveri, Historic Homes Specialist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424</span><br />
<a href="http://www.thislookslikehome.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.thislookslikehome.com</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(An old Irish blessing)</span><br />
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Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7953993585369349545.post-76198375267453515542011-10-18T12:38:00.001-07:002013-03-10T22:32:03.551-07:00Historic Homes Specialty with Marian Boveri<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Having always been interested in historic homes—both from an architectural and sociological perspective—I decided to include historic homes as an integral part of my business. My specialized approach to marketing a historic home includes focusing on the personal history and architecture of the home resulting in an individualized marketing message that reflects the uniqueness that is found in a historic home. It is this uniqueness that attracts people to the home. Attraction is the key to selling a home.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I am currently working towards my Historic Preservation Certification at Northwestern University. Understanding preservation is an integral part of appreciating the c 1830 to c 1940 historic homes that are found throughout the Fox River Valley. I also publish the “Historic Homes Journal” several times a year which features one of my listings and presents market statistics relative to both the general and historic homes markets as well as a compilation of current sold historic homes in the specific market. The specific markets currently included in the “Historic Homes Journal” are St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia with a mailing list of nearly 1000 homes. Other areas that include historic homes are Elgin, Aurora, West Dundee, DeKalb, and Sycamore.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Call me if you have any questions about or would like to sell or buy a historic home.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. (An old Irish blessing.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Marian Boveri, Real Estate Consultant, Historic Homes Specialty, Keller Williams Fox Valley Realty, 847-308-2424 Cell</span></div>
Marian Boverihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15653831475152854595noreply@blogger.com0