655 Elm

655 Elm was originally built in 1858 by Henry Tucker, an early Winnetka settler who, according to the 1860 census, worked as a bookkeeper. Perhaps the best-known resident, however, was horticulturalist James Hunt, who purchased the house in 1887 and was best-known as the founder of the Village Improvement Association.

Hunt was a well-respected and active member of the community, so much so that a plaque dedicated to him was placed on the Village Green. While the plaque was removed due to wear and tear, it is preserved in WHS collection today.

Hunt is responsible for the lovely addition on the south side of the house, which he added in 1890. This addition was designed by well-known architect William Otis, who lived a few blocks away at 644 Oak. This house stayed in the Hunt family from 1887 until 1954, and is likely the oldest single-family residence in Winnetka (the Schmidt-Burnham Log House is now a museum).

655 Elm is also notable as the first house to have gas lights installed in the 1890s.

Stylistically, this house is quite unique. It is a pre-Victorian design that has been altered many times, with Victorian, Colonial, and Prairie elements added and taken away over time. Today, perhaps the best way to describe this house is “historic eclectic.”