Tour - Walking Tour of LaGrange Historic District - Tour #5

Walking Tour of LaGrange Historic District - Tour #5

La Grange, Illinois 60525, United States

Created By: LaGrange Area Historical Society

Tour Information

The Village of La Grange was incorporated in 1879, just nine years after its founder, Franklin D. Cossitt, began his program of organizing a quality residential community. The success of his plan has continued to be a source of civic pride and has resulted in the enduring attractiveness and stability of the community. According to architect Wilbert R. Hasbrouck, “Village of La Grange Historic District as a well preserved suburban community with excellent examples of domestic architecture dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.” In his statement requesting that the La Grange Historic District be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, architect Hasbrouck wrote:

In its totality, the La Grange Historic District represents a period of architectural development of high artistic value and significance to the history of the region. Furthermore, the buildings have survived intact while continuing to be used for their original purpose.

This is a one hour self guided walking tour of the Historic District of LaGrange, IL along Catherine and Harris streets bounded by Harris Ave and 47th Street.

Tour Map

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What You'll See on the Tour

100 S. Ashland

100 South Ashland is a Victorian house with an interesting polygonal bay. Built in 1895, it is known as the Dr. E.S. Detweiler House, after its original owner, who practiced in La Grange for over 25 years. By 1910 the house was owned by W.M... Read more

114 S. Ashland

This was the home of LaGrange pioneer, John S. White, who was the oldest resident of LaGrange when he died in 1931 at the age of 95. The house is Queen Anne style that features a second floor turret with a decorative finial.

118 S. Ashland

This was the home of Pholip M Coates, who began fighting the Civil War with Generals Sherman and Bently when he was only fifteen years old. When he died in 1935 at the age of 88, Mr Coates was the last surviving member of the G.A. R. Hiram ... Read more

150 S. Ashland First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, built in 1912, features a series of colorful memorial chaple stained glass windows. The chancel window was desigend and fabricated in France by Gabirel Lorie of Chartres, whose international reputa... Read more

200 S. Ashland

This is an excellent example of a simplified Queen Anne house. The decorative fishscaling in the gables and fishscale belt-course between the first and second floors are of architectural details of note. There has been little alterations to... Read more

201 S. Ashland

This was the home of General Thomas Reynolds in 1893, and later the Meyers family. The home is a Tutor-influenced vernacular. Note the unusual sidelights on the entrance door.

213 S. Ashland

Here is an example of a Victorian Style house. Notice the dentilwork cornice, fish scaling in the gable, and front bay with cutaway brackets.

217 S. Ashland

This was owned by Professor F. E. Sanford, who was superintendent of District 102 schools for 27 years beginning in 1890. Later it became the home of Walter Dierks, a president of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

225 S. Ashland

This house was built in 1892 and was first owned by Ayers and Mary Lundy, who became among the village's most prominent citizens. Lundy was an engineer for Edison General Electric Company. In 1891, he joined with Fredrick Sargent, an associ... Read more

240 S. Ashland

Here is an example of a Victorian house that once was the residence of Wilson Silsby, who became the director of Pathe Films in 1911. Mr. Silsy's son Clifford was a designer for Mary Pickford one of the first female great actresses. ...

300 S. Ashland

Here is an example of a Queen Anne Victorian of unique character. Of particular interest is the wrap around porch with full classical column supports. The home belonged to Lucy Ellen Windsor, who was president of the Chicago Association of ... Read more

301 S. Ashland

This is a Queen Ann style home. The notable details include the turrent top with decorative circular shingles and windows with ornamental muntins, Palladian style stairwell window on the north facade, and fish scaling on the dormer.

304 S. Ashland

This was the home of Fredric L Goff, who became Village Attorney in 1910. Note the large front porch, window setting on the third floor and large roof eaves.

324 S.Ashland

This Foursquare was the home of June Zimmerman, an internationally recognized classic dancer and teacher. Using the professional name Xenia Zarina, she performed in operas, motion pictures, theaters and ballets. She also spent time traveli... Read more

405 S. Ashland

Here is a "Farm house" of excellent design quality. Note the exceptional cross gabled clapboard coach house.

409 S. Ashland

This was the home of one of the pioneering families of LaGrange. Mary E. Thompson came to LaGrange in 1892 with her husband George and livied in the Village until her death in 1957.

431 S. Ashland

This home is believed to be owned, during the 1930's or 1940's by Mendum Bedloe, cousin of the famous Barrymore theatrical family. Neighbors recall the Barrymores' having visited their cousins when performing in Chicago. The Bedloes were ... Read more

445 S. Catherine

This is the home of a pioneering family of La Grange, Walter P. Hill (1868-1945). Mr Hill arrived in La Grange in 1882 from Rochester, NY, as part of a family that included nine children. This family was very active in the Congregational Ch... Read more

441 S. Catherine

This was the home of Fritz Krohn, a member of La Grange's first volunteer fire department.

417 S. Catherine

This was the site of Croak's dairy. William A. Croak belonged to the origonal Chamber of Commerce.

340 S. Catherine

This home belonged to William Hulsberg, a carpenter/contractor who came to La Grange to build wooden sidewalks for F. D. Cossitt.

337 S. Catherine

Mr and Mrs. T.T. Watson moved to La Grange from Chicago in 1917. After attending the University of Chicago, their son, William Weldon Watson, became a contributer to the creation of the atom bomb.

323 S. Catherine

In 1916 Dr. H. C. Dewey, a prominent La Grange dentist, moved from this house to 231 S. Waiola. Information about Dr Dewey can be found in Tour #2. This home was designed for Dr. Dewey by architect R.C. Fletcher in 1905.

315 S. Catherine

Matt Nelson, the builder of many Foursquare houses in La Grange, came to La Grange in 1906 and lived in this example of his work from 1908-1912.

226 S. Catherine

This was the home of Andrew R. Case, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, particpated in the Boxer Rebellion, Philippine Insurrection and worked in the Chicago Fire Department and LaGrange Police Department.

222 S. Catherine

This was the home of Miss Margaret Menelly, who was principal of Cossitt School in 1921 and then to Mrs. Leona Larimore, who was principal of Cossitt School in 1929.

220 S. Catherine

Charles A. Whitney, born in 1854, established residence in LaGrange in 1881. In 1884, he begane the Subruban News, a weekly paper, the first between Chicago and Aurora. Mr Whitney sold the house to the family of A. D. French. Mr French, a... Read more

124 S. Catherine

This was the home of Earl R. Lind, president of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Illinois. He served three terms as Village Trustee. This home is a foursquare. Notice the front door with the sidelights.

105 S. Catherine

This was the home of Paul Augustinus, who was best known in La Grange as the first 'village forester'. For several years, he carried on the educational campaign urging the care of fine old trees.

209 W. Cossitt

This is an excellent example of a Victorian architecture style which has had little alteration over the years. This is one of great architectural importance to the Village.

11. S Catherine

This was the home of William Loomis, who started the Citizen newspaper in 1905. Mr. Loomis dedicated himself to his publication and the Village. He also took a leading role in community affairs and the development of the busniess district.�... Read more

2 S. Catherine

This is the "Strasser House", a Victorian Second Empire house of excellent architectural quality. It is unique, for it is the only unaltered house of this style in the historic district. This landmark house has a mansard roof, heavily brack... Read more

307 W. Harris

"The Daleshire De Lux Apartments" were built in 1929. Among the prominent residents was John M. Riel, a nationally known lumberman and president of the Keith Lumber Company of Chicago. Another signifcant resident was Miss Lowell Bates, owne... Read more