212 S 7th Ave

212 S 7th Ave - This home was built in 1887 as a traditional Victorian home. In 1896 Otto Heppes, one of LaGrange’s leading citizens purchased the house. In 1913, Mr. Heppes had the house remodeled into the current English Tudor style. The room located over the driveway was built in 1933 as an Art Studio for Mr. Heppes. Art became of passion of his after he was forced to retire due to his heart condition. He was an active member of the La Grange Art League and enjoyed painting.

For six years, Mr. Heppes was the president of the Board of Education for District 102 and it was during his administration that the Cossitt School was planned and built. It was through his vision and enthusiasm that money was contributed by generous citizens and groups for the special equipment and facilities that could not be supplied by the school funds.

Mrs. Heppes was an avid gardener. She had the stone walls put in to accent her gardens. She had multiple ponds with water falls. She also had an irrigation system installed that used water from the cistern. Initially her gardens were limited to the south lawn. But in 1940 the Heppes purchased the house just north of them and tore it down to expand Mrs. Heppes gardens. Often people would take the train from the city of Chicago to view her gardens.

The carriage house is original to the property as well. Once used to house horses and carriages, it is now used for cars. On a Sanborn map from 1917, it shows the carriage house and has “Auto” labeled on it, indicating the location of one of the first automobiles in LaGrange.