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Date Built :
1894
Architectural
Style: Eclectic blend of Eastern Stick with features of Queen
Anne Free Classic design.
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Twin, steeply
pitched gables with exposed roof rafter ends are a part of the
design.
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The use of
half-timbering in each gable is separated by shingled flat areas.
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Second story
pilasters (columns at corners) are part of the style.
Who has lived here:
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The original
owners were two teachers at what is now the Illinois School for
the Deaf: Miss Eliza Kent and Miss Annie Morse.
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They lived here
until retiring in 1909, when they moved to their summer cottage in
Michigan.
Interesting Notes:
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Streetcar tracks
ran right by the property, on Woodland Street,
then called
Asylum Street.
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This was the first
house on the street, placed 40 feet back according to the deed.
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Later houses were
placed 30 feet back, cutting off the view of the spinsters (Miss Kent
and Miss Morse). Supposedly the Japanese Beech tree was planted
as a “spite tree” to cut off the neighbors’ view to the east
since the view to the west had been cut off.
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