HomeMy WebLinkAboutG41-97 Recorded FILED FOR RECORD
K„NE COUNTY,ILL.
97K064853 97SEP25 tMMII: 00
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State of Illinois)
County of Kane ) ss.
City of Elgin )
CERTIFICATE OF CITY CLERK
I , Dolonna Mecum, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the duly
qualified City Clerk of the City of Elgin, in the Counties of
Kane and Cook in the State of Illinois, and that as such City
Clerk I am the keeper and custodian of the files and records of
said City of Elgin and the seal thereof.
I DO FURTHER CERTIFY that the attached is a full, true,
and correct copy of:
ORDINANCE NO. G41-97
DESIGNATING THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT
passed by the Elgin City Council at its legally convened meeting
held on September 10, 1997 .
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the corporate seal of the City of Elgin at the said City
in the County and State aforesaid this September 25, 1997 .
�jj�.� _ ,,. �; -�; City C erk
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This -instrument prepared by: Return to:
Erwin Jentsch Dolonna Mecum
Corporation Counsel Elgin City Clerk
City of Elgin 150 Dexter Court
150 Dexter Court Elgin, IL 60120
q2/
Elgin, IL 60120
. .s1K06853 / '7 �
44
Ordinance No. G41-97
AN ORDINANCE
DESIGNATING THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the area described as the Elgin National Watch
Historic District, and legally described in Attachment A
attached hereto, was nominated as a proposed historic district
by the Southeast Elgin Neighborhood Association on March 10,
1997; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission conducted a public
hearing on May 22, 1997 , to consider the nomination of the
Elgin National Watch Historic District; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission adopted a
resolution and report determining the finding that the proposed
Elgin National Watch Historic District meets the criteria for •
designation as an historic district; and
WHEREAS, the area described as the Elgin National Watch
Historic District, attached hereto, has been identified by the
Elgin Heritage Commission, as a significant historical and
architectural area within the City of Elgin due to its
connection to the establishment and growth of the Elgin
National Watch Factory; and
WHEREAS, a majority of all properties included with the
Elgin National Watch Historic District, date from 1860 to 1930,
and encompass a broad range and diversity of architectural
styles; and
WHEREAS, the designation of the Elgin National Watch
Historic District provides a mechanism to preserve and protect
landmarks, buildings, fixtures, facades, places of historical
and architectural significance and will stabilize and improve
the property values within the city and encourage civic pride
in the accomplishments of the past as manifested in the
existing structures and landscapes therein; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to designate areas having
special historic, cultural , community, or aesthetic interest or
value for the purpose of recognizing Elgins historic,
aesthetic, architectural and cultural heritage; enhancing one
of the Citys older residential areas, promoting civic pride
through an awareness of Elgins unique development and history;
and encouraging the conservation of an important segment of the
man-made environment of the City of Elgin.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section 1 . That the City Council of the City of Elgin
hereby designates the territory legally described in Exhibit A
91K064853
and attached hereto and made a part hereof by this reference as
a historic district which shall be known and referred to as the
"Elgin National Watch Historic District. "
Section 2 . That the significant exterior architectural
features of the structures within the Elgin National Watch
Historic District which shall be protected include the
following: Foundations; siding; masonry; stucco; roofs;
chimneys; gutters; down spouts; entrances and doors; windows;
porches; stoops and railings; cornices and friezes;
ornamentation including trim, brackets, hood molds; shutters;
awnings and light fixtures; garages, outbuildings and other
accessory structures.
Section 3 . That the City Clerk is hereby directed within
seven (7) days of the passage of this ordinance to send a copy
of this ordinance by regular mail to the Elgin Heritage
Commission, the Planning and Development Commission, the
Department of Code Administration and to the common street
address of all property within the Elgin National Watch
Historic District. The City Clerk is hereby further directed to
cause a certified copy of this ordinance to be recorded with
the Kane County Recorder.
Section 4 . That all ordinances of parts of ordinances in
conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be and are
hereby repealed.
Section 5 . That this ordinance shall be in full force and
effect upon its passage.
s/ Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly, Mayor
Presented: September 10, 1997 .
Passed: September 10, 1997
Vote: Yeas 4 Nays 3
Recorded: September 11, 1997
Published:
Attest:
s/ Dolonna Mecum
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk
• -91K064853
ArrkalPilEar
•
Elgin National Watch Historic District
Legal Description •
That part of Sections 13 and 24, Township 41 North, Range 8 East Of the Third Principal •
Meridian described as follows: Beginning at a point in the Westerly line of an alley, 1 rod in
width and adjoining the Westerly right of way line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
Company, said point being 3.31 chains (218.46 feet) South of the North line of Lot 7 in William
E. Bent's Addition to Elgin(being a subdivision of part of said Section 24); thence West and
parallel to the North line of said Lot 7, a distance of 286.85 feet to the East right of way line of
the former Elgin and Chicago Railway;thence Northwesterly along said East tine to a point on the
South line of Lot 9 of Lessenden's Addition(being a subdivision of said Section 24) that is 82.0
feet West of the Southeast corner thereof(as measured along the South line of said lot); thence
continuing Northwesterly along said East line to a point on the North line of Lot 8 of said
Lessenden's Addition that is 117.86 feet West of the Northeast corner thereof(as measured along
the North line of said lot);thence continuing Northwesterly along said East line 40.0 feet; thence
East to the West line of Lot 2 in William E. Bents Addition; thence Northerly along said West line
to the Northwest corner of said Lot 2; thence Northwesterly along the West Iine of Lot 1 in said
Bent's Addition 118.80 feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence east.along the North line of
said Lot 1, a distance of 498.3 feet to the Westerly line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
right of way; thence Northwesterly along the Westerly right of way of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railway to the Southerly line of National Street; thence Easterly along said
Southerly line to the Southerly extension of the Easterly line of Wellington Avenue;thence
Northwesterly along said Southerly extended line and along the Easterly:line of said Wellington
Avenue to the Southerly extension of the Westerly line of Lot 16 of William F. Sylla's
Resubdivision of Lots A, B, C,D, E, and F of County Clerks Subdivision of Out Lots 22 and 23 .
of J. T. Gifford's Addition to Elgin (being a subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence
Northerly along said extended line, and also along the West line of said Lot 16, to the Northwest
corner thereof; thence Easterly along the North line of said lot, 48.0 feet to the Northeast corner
thereof; thence Southeasterly along the Northeasterly lines of Lots 15, 14, 13, and 12 in said
Sylla's Resubdivision, 157.0 feet to the most Northerly corner of Lot 10 in said resubdivision;
thence Southeasterly along the Northeasterly line of said Lot 10, 74.25 feet to the Southeasterly
line of the Northwesterly 1.0 foot of Lot 9 in said Sylla's Resubdivision;thence Northeasterly
along said Southeasterly line 50.0 feet to the Easterly line of said Lot 9;thence Southeasterly
along said Easterly line 36.62 feet to the most Westerly corner of Lot 8 in said subdivision; thence
Northeasterly along the Northerly line of said lot, a distance of 123.25 feet to the centerline of
Villa Street; thence Southeasterly along said centerline to the Southerly extension of the East line
of Channing Street;thence North along said extended line and along the East line of Charming
Street to the Northwest corner of Lot 4 of George Plummers Addition to Elgin (being a
subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence East along the North line of said lot, 119.5 feet to
the Northeast corner thereof-,thence North along the West line of Lot 5 of said subdivision, 25.0
feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence East along the North line of said Lot 5, 51.50 feet to
the Northeast corner thereof;thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 25.0 feet to the
Northwest corner of Lot 6 in said subdivision;thence East along the North line of Lots 6 and 7 in
said subdivision, 100.0 feet to the Northeast corner of said Lot 7;thence Southerly along the East 1�
97K064853
line thereof 87.50 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 8 in said subdivision; thence Southeasterly
along the Northerly line of Lots 8 and 9 in said subdivision, 112.0 feet to the Northeast corner of
said Lot 9; thence Southeasterly 66.0 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 1 of James Barrett's
Second Addition, (being a subdivision of part of Section 13 aforesaid); thence Southeasterly along
the North line of Lots 1 thru 9 in said subdivision, 439.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 9 in
said subdivision;thence Easterly to the Northwest corner of Lot 14 of Bernard Healy's
Subdivision(being a subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence East along the North line of
said Lot 14, 189.75 feet to the Northeast corner thereof; thence South along the East line of said
Lot 14, 66.0 feet to the Southeast corner thereof, thence East along the North line of Lot 1 of
said subdivision, 189.75 feet to the Northeast corner thereof; thence Northeasterly to the
Northwest corner of Lot 5 in Block 1 of E. C. Lovell's Addition(being a subdivision of part of
said Section 13); thence East along the North line of said Lot 5, 164.0 feet to the Northeast
corner thereof; thence South along the East line of Lots 5, 4, and 3, in said Block, 256.8 feet to
the Southeast corner of said Lot 3; thence Southwesterly to a point on the Northerly line of Lot 3
in J. Welsby's Subdivision of Lots 1 and 2 and part of 3 in Block 9 of Sherman's Addition(being a
subdivision of part of Sections 13 and 24 aforesaid), said point being 136.0 feet Southeasterly of
the Northwest corner thereof(as measured along the Northerly line of said lot); thence South and
parallel with the West line of said lot 119.50 feet; thence East 7.35 feet; thence South and parallel
with the West line of said lot, 66.0 feet; thence East 18.0 feet to a point on the East line of Lot 4
in said Welsby's Subdivision, that is 11.0 feet South of the Northeast corner thereof; thence South
along the East line of Lots 4, 5, and 6, a distance of 187.0 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot
6; thence South 66.0 feet to a point on the South line of Sherman Avenue that is 132.0 feet East
of the East line of Liberty Street; thenceSouthand parallel to said East line 135.30 feet; thence
East 63.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the East line of Liberty Street, 82.50 feet; thence East
66.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 5 in Block 9 of Sherman's Addition, (being a subdivision
of part of Section 24 aforesaid);thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 165.0 feet to the
Southeast corner thereof, thence West along the South line of said Lot 5, 132.0 feet; thence South
and parallel to the East line of said Sherman's Addition, 165.0 feet to the South line of Lot 6 of
said subdivision; thence East along said South line 132.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 7 of
said subdivision; thence South along the East line thereof, 181.50 feet; thence West and parallel to
the South line of said Lot 7, a distance of 120.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the East line of
said subdivision, 132.0 feet to the South line of said Lot 7; thence Southwesterly to a point on the
North line of Lot 1 in Block 1 of Julia and Lois Van Nostrand's Addition to Elgin, (being a
subdivision of part of said Section 24); said point being 95.30 feet East of the Northwest corner
of said Lot 1 (as measured along the North line thereof); thence South and parallel with the West
line of said Block 1, 111.16 feet; thence East and parallel to the North line of Lot 3 in said
subdivision, 45.0 feet to the East line of said Lot 3; thence South along said East line and along
the East line of County Clerks Subdivision of Lot 347, a distance of 164.24 feet to the North line
of Van Nostrand Place;thence Southwesterly to a point on the North line of Lot 1 in Block 2 of
said Van Nostrand's Addition, said point being 120.85 feet East of the Northwest corner of said
Lot 1 (as measured along the North line thereof); thence South and parallel to the East line of said
Lot 1, a distance of 55.08 feet to the North line of Lot 2 of said Block 2; thence East along the
North line of said Lot 2, 14.07 feet to the Northeast corner thereof., thence South along the East
line of Lots 2 and 3 in said Block 2, 110.16 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot 3;thence
South along the Southerly extension of the last described line 110.16 feet to the North line of May
97K0614853
Street; thence Southeasterly to the Northeast corner of Lot 22 in Block 3 of Roosevelt's addition
(being a subdivision of part of said section 24);thence South along the East line of said Lot, 46.7
feet to the Southeast corner thereof; thence West along the South line of said lot, 177.25 feet to
the Southwest corner thereof,thence Southwesterly to the Southeast corner of Lot 2 in
Oaklawn's Addition, (being a subdivision of part of said Section 24);thence West along the South
line of Lots 2 and 19 in said subdivision, 269.5 feet to the Southwest corner of said Lot 19;
thence Southwesterly to a point on the East line of Lot 1 in Block 3 of P. Van Nostrand's
Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24) said point being 80.0 feet Southeasterly of the
Northeast corner of said lot (as measured along the West line thereof); thence West and parallel
to the North line of said lot, 142.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the West line of said Block 3,
a distance of 52.0 feet; thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, a distance of 66.0
feet to a line drawn Southerly and parallel to the West line of said Block from a point on the
North line of said Block that is 189.0 feet West of the Northeast corner thereof, thence Southerly
along said parallel line to a point on the South line of the North 60.0 feet of Lot 3 in said Block 3;
thence West along said South line to the East line of Lot 3 of J. S. Adams Subdivision of part of
Lots 2 and 3 in Block 3 of P. Van Nostrand's Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24);
thence Northerly along the East line of said subdivision 126.0 feet to the South line of the North
6.0 feet of Lot 2 of said subdivision;thence West along said South line 132.0 feet to the West line
of said Lot 2; thence Southwesterly to the Southeast corner of Lot 1 in Block 2 of said Van
. Nostrand's Subdivision; thence West along the South line of Lots 1 and 2 in said Block 2, 403.92
feet to.the Southwest corner of said Lot 2; thence North along the West line of said,Lot 2, 49.5
feet; thence Northwesterly to a point on the East line of Lot 1 in Block 1 of said Van Nostrand's •
Subdivision, said point being 42.48 feet South of the Northeast corner of said Lot 1 (as measured
along the East line thereof); thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, 115.5 feet;
thence South 5.35 feet; thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, 118.0 feet to the
West line of said Block; thence continuing West along the Westerly extension of the last described
line to the East line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway; thence Easterly to the point of
beginning, in the City of Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
•
•
, :97K064853
_ _
Ordinance No. G41-97
AN ORDINANCE
DESIGNATING THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the area described as the Elgin National Watch
Historic District, and legally described in Attachment A
attached hereto, was nominated as a proposed historic district
by the Southeast Elgin Neighborhood Association on March 10,
1997 ; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission conducted a public
hearing on May 22, 1997 , to consider the nomination of the
Elgin National Watch Historic District; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission adopted a
resolution and report determining the finding that the proposed
Elgin National Watch Historic District meets the criteria for
designation as an historic district; and
WHEREAS, the area described as the Elgin National Watch
Historic District, attached hereto, has been identified by the
Elgin Heritage Commission, as a significant historical and
architectural area within the City of Elgin due to its
connection to the establishment and growth of the Elgin
National Watch Factory; and
WHEREAS, a majority of all properties included with the
Elgin National Watch Historic District, date from 1860 to 1930,
and encompass a broad range and diversity of architectural
styles; and
WHEREAS, the designation of the Elgin 'National Watch
Historic District provides a mechanism to preserve and protect
landmarks, buildings, fixtures, facades, places of historical
and architectural significance and will stabilize and improve
the property values within the city and encourage civic pride
in the accomplishments of the past as manifested in the
existing structures and landscapes therein; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to designate areas having
special historic, cultural , community, or aesthetic interest or
value for the purpose of recognizing Elgins historic,
aesthetic, architectural and cultural heritage; enhancing one
of the Citys older residential areas, promoting civic pride
through an awareness of Elgins unique development and history;
and encouraging the conservation of an important segment of the
man-made environment of the City of Elgin.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS :
Section 1 . That the City Council of the City of Elgin
hereby designates the territory legally described in Exhibit A
• ►-
and attached hereto and made a part hereof by this reference as
a historic district which shall be known and referred to as the
"Elgin National Watch Historic District. "
Section 2 . That the significant exterior architectural
features of the structures within the Elgin National Watch
Historic District which shall be protected include the
following: Foundations ; siding; masonry; stucco; roofs;
chimneys; gutters; down spouts; entrances and doors; windows;
porches; stoops and railings; cornices and friezes;
ornamentation including trim, brackets, hood molds; shutters;
awnings and light fixtures; garages, outbuildings and other
accessory structures .
Section 3 . That the City Clerk is hereby directed within
seven ( 7 ) days of the passage of this ordinance to send a copy
of this ordinance by regular mail to the Elgin Heritage
Commission, the Planning and Development Commission, the
Department of Code Administration and to the common street
address of all property within the Elgin National Watch
Historic District. The City Clerk is hereby further directed to
cause a certified copy of this ordinance to be recorded with
the Kane County Recorder.
Section 4 . That all ordinances of parts of ordinances in
conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be and are
hereby repealed.
Section 5 . That this ordinance shall be in full force and
effect upon its passage.
;AL\_
Kevin Kelly, Mayo
Presented: September 10, 1997
Passed: September 10, 1997
Vote: Yeas 4 Nays 3
Recorded: September 11, 1997
Published:
Attest:
A444,0 )442-eA,,,,
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk
Recorded by Kane County Recorder on 9/26/97 as Document No. 97 K 064853
A,rkuIMlfr J4
Elgin National Watch Historic District
Legal Description
That part of Sections 13 and 24, Township 41 North, Range 8 East Of the Third Principal
Meridian described as follows: Beginning at a point in the Westerly line of an alley, 1 rod in
width and adjoining the Westerly right of way line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
Company, said point being 3.31 chains (218.46 feet) South of the North line of Lot 7 in William
E. Bent's Addition to Elgin (being a subdivision of part of said Section 24); thence West and
parallel to the North line of said Lot 7, a distance of 286.85 feet to the East right of way line of
the former Elgin and Chicago Railway; thence Northwesterly along said East line to a point on the
South line of Lot 9 of Lessenden's Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24) that is 82.0 •
feet West of the Southeast corner thereof(as measured along the South line of said lot); thence
continuing Northwesterly along said East line to a point on the North line of Lot 8 of said
Lessenden's Addition that is 117.86 feet West of the Northeast corner thereof(as measured along
the North line of said lot); thence continuing Northwesterly along said East line 40.0 feet; thence
East to the West line of Lot 2 in William E. Bents Addition; thence Northerly along said West line
to the Northwest corner of said Lot 2; thence Northwesterly along the West line of Lot 1 in said
Bent's Addition 118.80 feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence east along the North line of
said Lot 1, a distance of 498.3 feet to the Westerly line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
right of way; thence Northwesterly along the Westerly right of way of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railway to the Southerly line of National Street; thence Easterly along said
Southerly line to the Southerly extension of the Easterly line of Wellington Avenue; thence
Northwesterly along said Southerly extended line and along the Easterly line of said Wellington'
Avenue to the Southerly extension of the Westerly line of Lot 16 of William F. Sylla's
Resubdivision of Lots A, B, C, D, E, and F of County Clerks Subdivision of Out Lots 22 and 23
of J. T. Gifford's Addition to Elgin (being a subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence
Northerly along said extended line, and also along the West line of said Lot 16, to the Northwest
corner thereof; thence Easterly along the North line of said lot, 48.0 feet to the Northeast corner
thereof; thence Southeasterly along the Northeasterly lines of Lots 15, 14, 13, and 12 in said
Sylla's Resubdivision, 157.0 feet to the most Northerly corner of Lot 10 in said resubdivision;
thence Southeasterly along the Northeasterly line of said Lot 10, 74.25 feet to the Southeasterly
line of the Northwesterly 1.0 foot of Lot 9 in said Sylla's Resubdivision; thence Northeasterly
along said Southeasterly line 50.0 feet to the Easterly line of said Lot 9; thence Southeasterly
along said Easterly line 36.62 feet to the most Westerly corner of Lot 8 in said subdivision; thence
Northeasterly along the Northerly line of said lot, a distance of 123.25 feet to the centerline of
Villa Street; thence Southeasterly along said centerline to the Southerly extension of the East line
of Channing Street; thence North along said extended line and along the East line of Channing
Street to the Northwest corner of Lot 4 of George Plummers Addition to Elgin (being a
subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence East along the North line of said lot, 119.5 feet to
the Northeast corner thereof; thence North along the West line of Lot 5 of said subdivision, 25.0
feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence East along the North line of said Lot 5, 51.50 feet to
the Northeast corner thereof; thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 25.0 feet to the
Northwest corner of Lot 6 in said subdivision; thence East along the North line of Lots 6 and 7 in
said subdivision, 100.0 feet to the Northeast corner of said Lot 7; thence Southerly along the East
•
line thereof 87.50 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 8 in said subdivision; thence Southeasterly
along the Northerly line of Lots 8 and 9 in said subdivision, 112.0 feet to the Northeast corner of
said Lot 9; thence Southeasterly 66.0 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 1 of James Barrett's
Second Addition, (being a subdivision of part of Section 13 aforesaid); thence Southeasterly along
the North line of Lots 1 thru 9 in said subdivision, 439.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 9 in
said subdivision; thence Easterly to the Northwest corner of Lot 14 of Bernard Healy's
Subdivision (being a subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence East along the North line of
said Lot 14, 189.75 feet to the Northeast corner thereof; thence South along the East line of said
Lot 14, 66.0 feet to the Southeast corner thereof; thence East along the North line of Lot 1 of
said subdivision, 189.75 feet to the Northeast corner thereof; thence Northeasterly to the
Northwest corner of Lot 5 in Block 1 of E. C. Lovell's Addition (being a subdivision of part of
said Section 13); thence East along the North line of said Lot 5, 164.0 feet to the Northeast
corner thereof; thence South along the East line of Lots 5, 4, and 3, in said Block, 256.8 feet to
the Southeast corner of said Lot 3; thence Southwesterly to a point on the Northerly line of Lot 3
in J. Welsby's Subdivision of Lots 1 and 2 and part of 3 in Block 9 of Sherman's Addition (being a
subdivision of part of Sections 13 and 24 aforesaid), said point being 136.0 feet Southeasterly of
the Northwest corner thereof(as measured along the Northerly line of said lot); thence South and
parallel with the West line of said lot 119.50 feet; thence East 7.35 feet; thence South and parallel
with the West line of said lot, 66.0 feet; thence East 18.0 feet to a point on the East line of Lot 4
in said Welsby's Subdivision, that is 11.0 feet South of the Northeast corner thereof; thence South
along the East line of Lots 4, 5, and 6, a distance of 187.0 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot
6; thence South 66.0 feet to a point on the South line of Sherman Avenue that is 132.0 feet East
of the East line of Liberty Street; thence South and parallel to said East line 135.30 feet; thence
East 63.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the East line of Liberty Street, 82.50 feet; thence East
66.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 5 in Block 9 of Sherman's Addition, (being a subdivision
of part of Section 24 aforesaid); thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 165.0 feet to the
Southeast corner thereof; thence West along the South line of said Lot 5, 132.0 feet; thence South
and parallel to the East line of said Sherman's Addition, 165.0 feet to the South line of Lot 6 of
said subdivision; thence East along said South line 132.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 7 of
said subdivision;thence South along the East line thereof, 181.50 feet; thence West and parallel to
the South line of said Lot 7, a distance of 120.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the East line of
said subdivision, 132.0 feet to the South line of said Lot 7; thence Southwesterly to a point on the
North line of Lot 1 in Block 1 of Julia and Lois Van Nostrand's Addition to Elgin, (being a
subdivision of part of said Section 24); said point being 95.30 feet East of the Northwest corner
of said Lot 1 (as measured along the North line thereof); thence South and parallel with the West
line of said Block 1, 111.16 feet; thence East and parallel to the North line of Lot 3 in said
subdivision, 45.0 feet to the East line of said Lot 3; thence South along said East line and along
the East line of County Clerks Subdivision of Lot 347, a distance of 164.24 feet to the North line
of Van Nostrand Place; thence Southwesterly to a point on the North line of Lot 1 in Block 2 of
said Van Nostrand's Addition, said point being 120.85 feet East of the Northwest corner of said
Lot 1 (as measured along the North line thereof); thence South and parallel to the East line of said
Lot 1, a distance of 55.08 feet to the North line of Lot 2 of said Block 2; thence East along the
North line of said Lot 2, 14.07 feet to the Northeast corner thereof; thence South along the East
line of Lots 2 and 3 in said Block 2, 110.16 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot 3; thence
South along the Southerly extension of the last described line 110.16 feet to the North line of May
•
Street; thence Southeasterly to the Northeast corner of Lot 22 in Block 3 of Roosevelt's addition
(being a subdivision of part of said section 24);thence South along the East line of said Lot, 46.7
feet to the Southeast corner thereof; thence West along the South line of said lot, 177.25 feet to
the Southwest corner thereof; thence Southwesterly to the Southeast corner of Lot 2 in
Oaklawn's Addition, (being a subdivision of part of said Section 24); thence West along the South
line of Lots 2 and 19 in said subdivision, 269.5 feet to the Southwest corner of said Lot 19;
thence Southwesterly to a point on the East line of Lot 1 in Block 3 of P. Van Nostrand's
Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24) said point being 80.0 feet Southeasterly of the
Northeast corner of said lot (as measured along the West line thereof); thence West and parallel
to the North line of said lot, 142.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the West line of said Block 3,
a distance of 52.0 feet; thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, a distance of 66.0
feet to a line drawn Southerly and parallel to the West line of said Block from a point on the
North line of said Block that is 189.0 feet West of the Northeast corner thereof; thence Southerly
along said parallel line to a point on the South line of the North 60.0 feet of Lot 3 in said Block 3;
thence West along said South line to the East line of Lot 3 of J. S. Adams Subdivision of part of
Lots 2 and 3 in Block 3 of P. Van Nostrand's Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24);
thence Northerly along the East line of said subdivision 126.0 feet to the South line of the North
6.0 feet of Lot 2 of said subdivision; thence West along said South line 132.0 feet to the West line
of said Lot 2; thence Southwesterly to the Southeast corner of Lot 1 in Block 2 of said Van
Nostrand's Subdivision; thence West along the South line of Lots 1 and 2 in said Block 2, 403.92
feet to the Southwest corner of said Lot 2; thence North along the West line of said Lot 2, 49.5
feet; thence Northwesterly to a point on the East line of Lot 1 in Block 1 of said Van Nostrand's •
Subdivision, said point being 42.48 feet South of the Northeast corner of said Lot 1 (as measured
along the East line thereof); thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, 115.5 feet;
thence South 5.35 feet; thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, 118.0 feet to the
West line of said Block; thence continuing West along the Westerly extension of the last described
line to the East line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway; thence Easterly to the point of
beginning, in the City of Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
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PROPOSED ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT - VIEWS
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PROPOSED ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT- VIEWS
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
Property Owner Survey
(deadline for return of survey cards - May 23, 1997)
Results
No. of cards mailed (approx) 510
No. of cards returned 128 (25%)
Responses in favor of the proposed historic district
responses from owner occupied properties 60 (82% of those in favor)
responses from non-owner occupied properties 13 (18% of those in favor)
total responses 73 (57% of total responses)
Responses opposed to the proposed historic district
responses from owner occupied properties 38 (70% of those opposed)
responses from non-owner occupied properties 17 (30% of those opposed)
total responses 55 (43% to total responses)
Grand total 128 (total responses)
I
THE POTENTIAL
ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH
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HISTORIC DISTRICT
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SouthEast Elgin \ it s. 1 1 1 �—___ I. IC
o . 1 i — City of Elgin Agenda Item No.
A0 We
4.111111 .
August 21, 1997
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Robert O. Malm, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Elgin National Watch Historic District Designation
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and
members of the City Council with additional information to
consider an ordinance designating the City's third historic
district, the Elgin National Watch Historic District.
BACKGROUND
At the meeting of the Elgin City Council Committee of the Whole
IIIheld on June 25, 1997, it was requested that the Elgin Heritage
Commission provide alternatives to the boundaries of the
proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District.
The Commission has provided the City Council with two addition-
al alternatives on the proposed boundaries for consideration
(attached) . The two alternatives exclude portions in the
southwest area around Wellington Avenue and Lessenden Place,
while including a portion in the northwest area that is
primarily residential and similar in character to the rest of
the proposed district. The Commission is also recommending that
the boundaries as originally proposed be considered for
designation.
At the meeting, the Commission will be prepared to provide a
brief presentation to the City Council on the proposed dis-
trict. The presentation will include a brief commentary on the
purpose of historic districts, and implementation of the
recently adopted Elgin Design Guideline Manual. A slide
presentation on the proposed district will highlight architec-
turally significant properties, representative streetscapes,
landmark properties, and homes of historic significance.
A detailed memorandum to the City Council from the.- Elgin
Heritage Commission describing the options is attached (Attach-
. ment A)
Elgin National Watch Historic District
August 21, 1997
Page 2
Historical Significance
The proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District has
character, interest and value as part of the development of the
City of Elgin in that it played an instrumental part in the
settlement and growth of the city. This area has significance
for its connection to the establishment and growth of the Elgin
National Watch Factory.
The proposed District is identified with many persons who
significantly contributed to the development of the community.
These persons include the "Seven Stars, " master watch makers
brought into Elgin to help establish the National Watch
Factory, and several prominent business persons .
The area embodies distinguishing characteristics of architec-
tural styles valuable for the study of period, type, method of
construction and the use of indigenous materials. Many common
styles are present within the district ranging from the period
1860 to 1930. Some of the buildings are identified with noted
designers and architects whose individual works have influenced
the development in the community and state. In 'addition, some
of these properties embody design elements that make them
411 structurally or architecturally innovative.
The proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District meets six
of the ten of the criteria for consideration in landmark
designation as specified by Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal
Code. The District has sufficient integrity of location and
workmanship to make it worthy of preservation.
Requirements in a Historic District.
If adopted, an ordinance designating the historic district will
require that the no-charge Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)
be secured for exterior work to structures included within the
district.
The COA is administratively approved approximately 75% of the
time. Administratively approved COA' s can be processed over the
counter the same day along with the normally required building
permit.
Larger or more complicated projects are reviewed by the Design
Review Subcommittee of the Elgin Heritage Commission. Appeals
of the Design Review . Subcommittee' s decisions can be made to
the whole Heritage Commission and ultimately to the City
Council . Regardless of the forum of the review, staff and
commissioners take the approach of working with the property
411 owner to suggest improvements and alternatives as necessary to
help the property owner add to the overall character of the
building and the neighborhood. To date, over 1, 600 COAs have
been issued for exterior work in the City' s historic districts .
Since the National Watch Historic District was nominated, over
50 COAs have been issued for this neighborhood.
•
Elgin National Watch Historic District
August 21, 1997
Page 3
The framework used for COA application reviews is the recently
completed 150 page Elgin Design Guideline Manual . The guide-
lines, •completed and approved by the City Council at their
meeting held on March 26, 1997, provide a user-friendly format
to property owners, architects, and contractors considering
rehabilitation and maintenance projects . It is also used as a
reference source emphasizing illustrations offering various
options and solutions to property owners during the process of
improving their older homes .
COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED
A public hearing was conducted on May 22, 1997 . A transcript
from the hearing was submitted to the City as part of the
report transmitted on June 13, 1997 . The results of the
property owner opinion survey were also attached.
Correspondence supporting the proposed designation has been
received from the New Century Partnership for Elgin and other
concerned groups and individuals in Elgin.
FINANCIAL' IMPACT
The expenses associated after designating a third historic
110 district include the cost of additional printed educational and
informational material, estimated to be $1, 000. There are
sufficient funds within the Code Administration and Neighbor-
hood Affairs budget, account number (010-2902-736.30-99,
Miscellaneous Professional Services) , to make these expendi-
tures .
LEGAL IMPACT
In the event the City Council elects to pursue alternative
boundaries for the proposed historic district, the Council
should not formally reject the original proposed district but
should instead emand this matter back to the Herita e Commis-
sion for earin alterna ive istrict. A formal
• rejection by the City Council wou ro i i a subsequent
designation of an area within the original proposed district
for a period of one year. The Elgin Heritage Commission' s
consideration of the alternative district must comply with the
procedures for an original nomination as set forth under
Chapter 20. 06. These procedures include, but are not limited
to, notification provisions to property owners within the
affected area, a publication .notice and public hearing require-
ments .
Elgin National Watch Historic District
August 21, 1997
. _ _ _ -
Page 4
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council consider the attached
recommendation of the Elgin Heritage Commission to designate
the City' s third historic district, the Elgin National Watch
Historic District .
Respectfully submitted,
Cfle/-07"--
Clay . earson, Director
Code Administration and
)
g orhood Affairs
Robe O. Maim _
Inte im City Manager
S
.`OF„
—City of Elgin
Mayor
�,, •�r'. 'l!E' Kevin Kelly
io
��arrotF�`
Council Members
Terry Gavin -
Robert Gilliam
MEMORANDUM John T. McKevitt
Ed Schock
John Walters
To: Mayor Kelly and Elgin City Council Marie Yearman
From: George Doscher, Chairman
Elgin Heritage Commission
Date: August 15, 1997 'r
Re: Update: Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
The Elgin Heritage Commission will be prepared to provide a brief presentation concerning the
proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District at the August 27, 1997 Committee of the.Whole
meeting.
The presentation will include a brief commentary on the purposes of historic districts, and
remarks regarding the newly adopted Elgin Design Guideline Manual. A slide presentation of the
proposed district will highlight architecturally significant properties, representative streetscapes,
4111 landmark properties, and homes of historic significance.
At their June 25th meeting, the City Council directed the Elgin Heritage Commission to provide
alternative boundaries of the proposed district. The commission will provide two additional
boundary options.
Please find the attached maps:
• * As proposed: Elgin National Watch Historic District
* Option A: From_the corner of Liberty St. and Villa St.; north on Villa(both sides,
excluding the parcels already within.the Elgin Historic District)to Prairie St.; west on
Prairie(both sides)to the CNW rail siding; south on the CNW rail siding(east side only)
to Bent St.; east on Bent(both sides)to Grace St.; south on Grace(both sides)to May
St.; east on May(both sides)to Liberty St.; north on Liberty (both sides)to the corner of
-. Liberty St. and Villa Street.
* Option B: From the corner of Liberty St. and Villa St.; north on Villa(both sides
excluding the parcels already within the Elgin Historic District)to Prairie St.; west on
Prairie(both sides)to the CNW rail siding; south on the CNW rail siding(east side only)
to May St.; east on May(both sides)to Liberty St.;north on Liberty(both sides)to the
corner of Liberty St. and Villa Street.
150 Dexter Court • Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 • TDD 847/931-5616
. .. Printed on recycled paper -
•
Upon the commission's second review of the criteria for consideration of a proposed historic
district (20.06.030), the nomination information and information received at the public hearing,
the commission found that the originally proposed boundary best met the designation criteria.
Although the National Register Coordinator for the State of Illinois had previously reviewed the
area and found a larger district also including properties south to Route 20 may have National
Register potential, the commission has chosen to support the proposal as presented by the
SouthEast Elgin Neighbors.
After consultation with legal counsel, it is understood by the Elgin Heritage Commission that
pur ' g boundary options other than originally proposed would require additional public hearing
proc:sses.
{erely,
t-orge/scher, Chairman
' lgin entage Commission
•
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c: Sarosh Saher
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ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH
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ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH
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• SEEN i I l ` _` _ _•.`
V
.0 of E(C,.,> %, ~, —City of Elgin
,• Mayor
►r•\\1Ip,
IIIy%, Kevin Kelly
�d4 F�
l Council Members
Terry Gavin
Robert Gilliam
. June 16, 1997 John T. McKevitt
Ed Schock
• John Walters
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council Marie Yearman
FROM: Robert 0. Malm, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Elgin National Watch Historic District
Designation
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and
members of the City Council with information to consider an
- ordinance designating the city' s third historic district, the
Elgin National Watch Historic District.
BACKGROUND
The South East Elgin Neighborhood Association (SEEN) , after
conducting three informational meetings and mailings,
III nominated to the Heritage Commission a portion of the
Southeast Neighborhood as the city' s third historic
district. The area is bounded by Lake and Villa Streets on
the north,. South Liberty Street on the east, May Street on
the south and Wellington Avenue on the west. The nomination
was made to the Elgin Heritage Commission at their regular
meeting held on March 10, 1997 . Information and supporting
material on the nomination was transmitted to the City
Council on June 13, 1997 .
Historical Significance
The proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District has
character, interest and value as part of the development of
the City of Elgin in that it played an instrumental part in
the settlement and growth of the city. This area has
significance for its connection to the establishment and
growth of the Elgin National Watch Factory.
The proposed District is identified with many persons who
significantly contributed to the development of the
community. These persons include the "Seven Stars, " master
watch makers brought into Elgin to help establish the
National Watch Factory, and several. prominent business
persons. .
411 .
The area embodies distinguishing characteristics of
architectural styles valuable for the study of period, type,
method of construction and the use of indigenous materials.
150 Dexter Court • Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 • TDD 847/931-5616
® Printed on recycled caper
Elgin National Watch historic District
page 2
111 Many 'common styles are present within the district ranging
from the period 1860 to 1930 . Some of the buildings are
identified with noted designers and architects whose
individual works have influenced the development in the
community and state. In addition, some of these properties
embody design elements that make them structurally or
architecturally innovative.
The proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District meets six
of the ten of the criteria for consideration in landmark
designation as specified by Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal
Code. The District has sufficient integrity of 'location and
workmanship to make it worthy of. preservation.
Requirements in a Historic District
-
If adopted, an ordinance designating the historic district
will require that the no-charge Certificate of
Appropriateness (COA) be secured for exterior work to
structures included within. the district.
The COA is administratively approved approximately 75% of the
time. Administratively approved COA' s can be processed over
the counter the same day along with the normally required
building permit.
Larger or more complicated projects are reviewed by the
Design Review Subcommittee of the. Elgin Heritage Commission.
Appeals of the Design Review Subcommittee' s decisions can be
made to the whole Heritage Commission and ultimately to the
City Council . Regardless of the forum of the review, staff
and commissioners take the ' approach of working with the
property owner to suggest improvements and alternatives as
necessary to help the property owner add to the overall
character of the building and the neighborhood. To date, over
1, 600 COAs have been issued for exterior work in the citys
historic districts . Since the National Watch Historic
District was nominated, over 30 COA' s have been issued for
this neighborhood.
The framework used for COA application reviews is the
recently completed 150 page . Elgin Design Guideline Manual .
The guidelines, completed and - approved by the Council at
their meeting held on March 26, 1997, provide a user-friendly
format to property . owners, ' architects, and contractors
considering rehabilitation and maintenance projects .. It . is
also used as a reference source emphasizing illustrations
offering various options and solutions to property owners
during the process of improving their older homes .
411 Property Owner Survey
To more accurately gauge the sentiment of property owners in
the proposed historic district, a survey- was mailed on May 7,
Elgin National Watch Historic District
page 3
110 Results of the survey show that of the 128 property owners
that responded (25% of the total property owners) , 73 (57%)
are in favor of the historic district designation. There were
55 (43%) addresses casting a "no" in the opinion survey. A
total of approximately 510 survey cards were mailed to owners
of property within the proposed district.
COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED .PERSONS CONTACTED
A public hearing was conducted on May 22-, 1997 . A transcript
from the hearing was obtained submitted to the City as part of .
the report transmitted on June 13, 1997 . The results of the
property owner- opinion survey were also attached.
Correspondence -supporting the proposed designation has been
received from the New Century Partnership for Elgin and other
. concerned groups and individuals in Elgin.
r_FINANCIAL IMPACT
The expenses associated after designating a third historic
district include the cost of additional printed educational
and informational material, estimated to be $1, 000 . There .are
sufficient funds within the Code Administration and Neighbor-
hood Affairs budget account number (010-2902-736 . 30-99,
411 Miscellaneous Professional Services) to make these expendi-
tures . .
LEGAL IMPACT
None.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council accept the recommenda-
tion of the Elgin Heritage Commission to designate the city' s
third historic district, the Elgin National Watch Historic
District.
Respectfully submitted,
Clay . Pearson, Director
Code Administration and
Neighborhood Affairs
zat
Robert 0. Malm
Interim City Manager •
•
it -0FE(`,4
"� \ 1's City of Elgin
Mayor
�.P I Kevin Kelly
A°Rare�FE�~
Council Members
Terry Gavin
Robert Gilliam
John T. McKevitt
Ed Schock
NI E NI O R A N D U NI John Walters
Marie Yearman
DATE: June 11, 1997
TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
FROM: George Doscher, Chairman
Elgin Heritage Commission
SUBJECT: Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
The purpose of this memorandum is to transmit to the Mayor and Members of the City Council
information on the findings, determinations and resolution of the Elgin Heritage Commission
regarding the nomination of the Elgin National Watch Historic District. The transmittal is required
under Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal Code for the designation of a landmark or a historic district.
The area under consideration was nominated to the Elgin Heritage Commission by the South East
Elgin Neighborhood Association (SEEN) to be designated as a historic district on March 10,
1997. Subsequently, at their June 9, 1997 meeting, the Commission voted unanimously to •
recommend to the City Council that the nomination be approved.
Prior to the nomination of the proposed district, members of the South East Elgin Neighborhood
Association (SEEN) held a series of three public informational meetings to inform property
owners and residents on the benefits and responsibilities of the potential historic district.'The
meetings were held on February 5, 19, and 25, 1997 at various public locations within the
neighborhood. Every property owner received a bilingual flyer announcing the meetings together
with a brochure concerning the proposed district.
•
Per the requirement of Section 20.06.060, of Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal Code, the Elgin •
Heritage Commission held a public hearing on May 22, 1997 to obtain the testimony of property
owners, residents and concerned citizens on the designation of the area as an historic district. A
copy of the transcript of the proceedings of the public hearings is included in this packet for your
reference.
The owners of property within the proposed historic district will receive individual copies of this
notification letter and the attached findings of fact as required by the ordinance.
150 Dexter Court • Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 • TDD 847/931-5616
?nn;ec on recycle°oaoe,
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District page 2
June 11, 1997
The Elgin Heritage Commission has been actively involved at every stage of the nomination,
review and determination of the proposed designation.
It is suggested that the City Council consider the determination and findings of the Elgin Heritage
Commission and the recommendation to accept the designation of the proposed historic district.
e pectfully s ( mitted,
e rge Doscher, Chairman
lgin Heritage Commission
cc: Property owners within the proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
city ° tCtyU e fY � .3. Y
of �tn :. �- _ � Y
fewWe ' ' .
1
t � f
Landma �• �Dae� oHeage; �: ; . v
'�oss1on, Mr
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licatton for t .. , ; kii:?;r , i*:;
{/�/yy� ?=v�`i:.:�%Yid -.,. 1i..•//���//�� Q" .;�: i .�
.I rnn .5' rim fr"r` �:.Si<:::r F�; :.Y:r'4
1omt Date to`gCoiincil`^ .gy.:._.
_ Applicant Information:
Name:. Terry Wawrzyniak
Address: . 414 S Liberty
Phone: 622-0427
Proposed Name of District:
El in National Watch Historic District
Proposed Street Boundaries:
Lake St. and Villa to
South Libert to Ma Street all of lower Wellin ton. to Bent to
Chica o Northwestern track to Lake St:
Required Attachments:
1. List of the common street addresses of all principal
buildings.
2 . City of Elgin map delineating the proposed district.
3 . - Written legal description of proposed district
boundaries.
4 . Photographic documentation. ' Representative collection
of streetscape photos.
5 . Written narrative describing proposed, landmark .
district and the designation. criteria it meets.
1. Common Street Addresses of all Principal Properties within
district,
May Street
355 356 357 359 362 365 366 369 370 373
415 417 420 421 456 511
Bent Street
306 307 312 315 358 364 370 398 400 406
407 524
Booth CT.
364 365
Yarwood
359 363 366 367 370 371 375 376 377 379
380 383
Regent
465 467 480 525 465
Bartlett Place 251
252 258 262 264 251 255 259 261 265 269
Watch Street
250 253 256 260 261 262 265 266 270 312
320 330 335 338
Sherman Ave
400 404 406 407 418 424 432 446 450 504
506 508 510 514
Villa Street
208 210 216 218 222 226 230 232 234 238
240 • 242 ',.;246 254 260 262 264 266 270 274
278 282 286 288 290 292 296 311 . 315 319
325 329 • 401 402 404 408 411 414 416 419
420 425 426 432 433 438 • 439 443 444 447
450 451 454 456 457 463 500 503 508 511
513 516 • • 517 520 521 526 527 530 533 535
560 600 • 601 178
•
National Street
201 203 207 211 213 215 217 219 223 225
229 256 258 259 215 259 221 227
Gifford Place 271
274 277 278 281 282 284 285
Villa Place
273 278 279 281 283
Lake Street
315 319 323 300 309
Lessenden Place
265 266 270 271 272 277 250
Michigan Street
211 212 213 217 218 221 223 224 225 230
234 235 236 237 240 241 242 243 248 250
2540 256 207 260
Raymond
254. 257 263 265 269 271 273 275 279 283
287 307 • 314 317 319 322 325 326 328 330
334 335 338 342 344 346 354 355 358 360
362 365 366 372 377 378 379 383 384 387
389 392 393 395 • 400 403 404 408 411 412
417 420 421 424 425 428 429 432 .435 • 436.
437 440 444 501 502 505 506 507 512 513
50 • 18 521 527 528 531 532 536 537 538
541 543 544 548 549 552 553 556 557 561.
566 602 603 333 251 .
Wellington .
315 317 321 323 325 331 361 363 387 391
393 411 421 501 502 . 504 506 507 510 511
514 517 518 522 523 527 . 528 531 532 534
535 536 540 541 542 545 546 549 550 551
554 555• 556 559 562 565 600 603 .
St. Charles
316 - 326 . 329 332 333 334 336 338 343 344
346 347 351 352 357 363 364 369 372 373
376 378 384 385 388 392 . 398 405 411 415
418- 419 422 426 • 427 428 431 434 435 436
437 44 446 448 450 452 453 456 457 460
• 463 465 466 469 472 475 476 479 500 506
• 512 520 526 530 533 536 542 548 607 611
614 618
Arlington Ave
400 401 406 409 410 411 414 415 • 417 418
419 421 424 430 433 450 451 457 458 461
464 465 470 471 475 476 477 480 485 500
• 501 502 504 505 508 511 519 521 527 537
541 551
Bowen CT
400 401 407 408 411 420 421 422 425 426
427 430 431 432 437
Grace Street
502 507 508 509 512 515 517 518 524 525
529 530 531 535 536 539 541 542 545 546
551 554 562 605
Richert CT.
335 356 358 360 362
Liberty Street
358 364 367 368 372 373 376 381 382 384
385 402 403 407 408 411 414 415 420 423
426 427 429 431 432 439 • 450 .451 456. 460
461 4663 464 467 •469 470 472 473 476 479
481 482. 500 503 506 507 510 511 514 51
515 518 519 530 539 . 540 543 544 547 555
• 600 601. 602 606
Van Nostrand Place • 605
Watch Court 1 - 5
5. Criteria for Nomination
The Elgin National Watch Historic District meets the following
criteria for designation as listed in the 20.06.070 of Title 20
of the Elgin Municipal Code:
•
I. The Elgin National Watch Historic District has character, interest and value as
part of the development of the City of Elgin in that it played an instrumental
part in the settlement and growth of the city. This area has significance for its
• connection to the establishment and growth of the Elgin National Watch
Factory.
II.The Elgin National Watch Historic District is identified with many persons
who significantly contributed to the development of the community. These
persons include the "Seven Stars", master watch makers brought into Elgin to
help establish the National Watch factory, and several prominent business
persons.
III.The Elgin National Watch Historic District embodies distinguishing
characteristics of architectural styles valuable for the study of period, type,
method of construction and the use of indigenous materials. Many common
styles are present within the district ranging from the period of building from
1860 to 1930. Only a few infill properties built after that time period exist.
N. The Elgin National Watch Historic,District includes properties identified with
noted designers and architects whose individual works have influenced the
development of the community and state.
V. The Elgin National Historic District is comprised of some properties that
embody design elements that make them structurally or architecturally
innovative. . .
•
VL The Elgin National Watch Historic District meets five of the criteria necessary
for landmark designation and has sufficient integrity of location and
workmanship to make it worthy of preservation .
I. The Elgin National Watch Historic District has character and
interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural
characteristics of the City of Elgin in that it played an
instrumental part in the settlement and growth of the city.
This area has significance for its connection to the establishment
and growth of the Elgin National Watch Factory.
• Elgin National Watch Factory Historic District is significant to the
history of Elgin in that it is an example of the settlement patterns from the
mid 1800's to the early twentieth century. The northern most segment of
the district was platted by J. T. Gifford in 1846. The earliest development
of the area occurred in conjunction with the Chicago and Northwestern
Railroad. The area bounded by Villa, National Street and the C & NW
railroad was further subdivided into smaller city lots to accommodate the
growing population of Elgin.
The major boom came to the Southeast side when the four investors
agreed to purchase property for what would become the National Watch
Factory. Silvanus Wilcox, Walter L. Pease, Henry Sherman and Benjamin F.
Lawrence purchased what was then the Dexter Farm, at that time just
south of the city of Elgin. They donated 35 acres to the Watch Factory and
the remainder was subdivided into building lots. Seven experienced watch
makers were recruited to start to set up the new factory. As an incentive
to recruit these young men each was given a substantial bonus a five year
contract and an acre lot located south and east of the new factory site. The
"Seven Stars", names given to the seven young men, built spacious homes
on the sites located along what is now Raymond, St. Charles St. and Watch
St. At least one of these homes remains, that of John K. Bigelow at 320
Raymond.
The southeast side became home to many prominent
businesspersons but most often to watch factory employees. Nearly every
residence has at one time or another housed a watch factory worker. Often
times as a boarder.
The significance of the area can be directly linked to.the significance
of the factory itself. The Elgin National Watch Factory purchased property
within the district to house educate and entertain their workers. This
neighborhood was directly linked to the factory. The growth of the factory
is parallel the growth of the neighborhood.
Some significant "firsts" took place in the district. The first company
owned observatory was built by the National Watch Factory. This
Observatory was used to orchestrate the lighting of the electric light for
the 1933-34 Century of Progress world's fair in Chicago.
The first public telephone subscriber in Elgin was placed in the home
of George Hunter, one of the watch factory "Seven Stars", in August of
I '
1881. His home was located on Hunter Street which later become Watch
Street.
II. The Elgin National Watch Historic District is identified with
. many persons who significantly contributed to the development
of the community.
Several Prominent citizens of Elgin lived in the district.
The "Seven Stars" of the National Watch Factory all lived at one time. in
the area. Charles S. Moseley, George Hunter, John K. Bigelow (320
Raymond), Patten S. Bartlett, Otis Hoyt, Charles Mason , and Daniel R.
Hartwell. Other prominent watch factory personnel also lived in'the area.
Professor William Payne, astronomer (506 Sherman), Francis A. Goodrow,
engraver(414 S. Liberty),Augustine Fish,jobmaster (363 St. Charles St.)
George S. Bowen, owned a home in the area since subdivided into
Bowen Court and several homes along St. Charles Street. He was a promoter
of the Chicago & Pacific Railway, former mayor, and received the franchise
to light the city from seven arc light towers.
Abel Gifford( 254 Villa Street) youngest brother Jas. T. Gifford who
is considered a founding father of Elgin. Abel Gifford was an owner and
operator of a large cattle farm located east of Elgin.
Theodore F. Swan (320 Raymond Street), leading merchant in Elgin
for many years.
Carlos H. Smith (392 Raymond) established the Elgin Daily News.
T.S. Wallin (533 S. Liberty) pioneer Chicago businessman, owner of a
Grand Rapids Michigan tannery.
Some lesser influential however prominent citizens who lived in the area
include:
Peter Van Nostrand (529 Arlington Ave) early farmer of the area
Ephrain Lessenden (271 Lessenden Place) farmer.
Rev E.C. Stover(370 Bent Street) Immanuel Baptist Church.
Edward C. Lovell (600 Villa)
•
111. The Elgin National Watch Historic District embodies
distinguishing characteristics of architectural styles valuable for
the study of period, type, method of construction and the use of
indigenous rnaterials;
The area embodies many architectural and building styles from the mid.
1800s to the 1920's including: .
Greek Revival, Gothic Revival Italianate Second Empire
Queen Anne Shingle Gable Front Art Deco
Prairie Colonial Revival StickStyle Neo Classical
Tudor Revival American Workers Craftsman
Foursquare form Cottages Bungalow
Brick Flats & Row Houses cobblestone
1V. Properties within the Elgin National Watch,Historic District are
identified with noted designers and architects whose individual
works have influenced the development of the community and
state. . .
The district has a number of significant individual landmark properties.
Properties which have significant architects are
• 533 St. Charles, Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum, Architect Smith Hoag,
Smith Hoag is a local architect who is well known for many significant
landmarks such as the Woodstock Opera House.
• 500 & 502,504 Arlington, architect, W.W. Abell Abell was a local
architect who studied with the Prairie School Architects of Chicago.
• 267-271 & 342-344 Raymond, architect Gilbert M. Turnbull. Turnbull
was a local architect most often associated with fine brick flats.
•
• 260 Raymond Street, Elgin's Illinois National Guard Armory Although
the architect is unknown the building is one of 18 of similar design built
throughout the State of Illinois.
• 501 Arlington is a Sears Kit House. Homes of similar designs were built
throughout the United states after the turn of the century.
• 411 Bowen CT is also a kit house of unknown origin.
•
V. Properties within the Elgin National Historic District embody
design elements that make them structurally or architecturally
innovative;
Buildings in the area use a number of unusual building techniques.
• 529 Arlington, has a cobblestone foundation. The work with
cobblestones was popular in Elgin in the mid 1800's
• The National Watch Observatory,(312 Watch Street) is unique in its
siting as well as construction. It is built on a gravel base to absorb
vibrations of the earth and is substantial in structure. The building was
.built to be fireproof.
• The Elgin National Guard Armory, (260 Raymond) was built by WPA
workers from 1937 to 1938. The building was entirely built on site of
concrete poured entirely by hand.
• The Watch Factory Depot (201 National Street) was assembled off sit
and brought into town and placed on a platform at it current location.
VI. There are many properties within the Elgin National Watch
Historic District that area a particularly fine example of a
utilitarian structure and have a high level of structural integrity
or architectural significance;
The Elgin National Watch Historic District has several fine examples
of exceptional utilitarian structure.
• The Elgin National Guard Armory built in 1937-1939. Art Deco in style,
the building is used to train the Illinois National Guard. This facility was
originally built as a community facility with some National Guard use. It
is currently predominantly used for the National Guard with some
community uses. It has been in continuous use for training of the
Armed Forces since it was built during the New Deal era.
• Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum is an example of a turn of the century fire
barn built to house horses. It remained in use by the Elgin Fire
Department from its date of construction 1903, until being •
decommissioned in 1992, only closing for nine years during the great
depression
• Garfield School, formally May Street School was originally built in 1889.
• Two additions have been made to the structure to accommodate the
growing school population.
• Calvary Baptist Church, Formally Epworth Methodist Church was built in
1912..The church retains all of its original integrity and continues to act
a functioning house of worship.
• There are several commercial store front along National Street which
continue to function as small independent shops.
VII. The Elgin National Watch Historic District meets six of the
criteria necessary for landmark designation and has sufficient
integrity of location and workmanship to make it worthy of
preservation.
Within the boundaries of this district are a substantial number of
contributing structures which maintain a great deal of structural integrity.
There are also a number of non-contributing structures which could be
made contributing with the removal of synthetic sidings and repair of
original materials. Buildings range in size from the smallest of Workers
Cottages to Community Facilities as large as a public elementary school and
an armory.
Bibliography for Elgin National Watch Historic District
Sanborn Fire Insurance Company Maps. 1892, 1897, 1913,.1941 revised.
Elgin City Directories 1875, 1881,1884, 1878, & 1900
Wallin, Thos. S. Elgin Daily Courier d. 14 May 1907 p.1 cola 1
Frasier,Levi M. d. 26 July 1902 p. 5 col.4 Elgin Weekly Courier
Lessenden, Caroline d. 6 April 1895 Elgin Daily Courier p.4 co1.6
Swan Theodore F. Swan Elgin Every Saturday 2 May 1896 P.1 col. 1
Smith Carlos H., Elgin Every Saturday 11 January 1 1896 p.1 col.1
Fish Augustine T., Elgin Every Saturday 1896 p.1 col.1.
Goodrow, Francis A., Elgin Every Saturday p.1 col. 1.
Bowen, George S. Elgin Every Saturday p.l col 1.
Building Reports Elgin Daily Courier December 30 1893, December 31, 1892, December
31,1907.
Plat Book of the City of Elgin, Vol 1 East Elgin, F. H. Smith Surveyor 1897 corrected to
1907
EIgin: an American History 1835-1895,E. C. Alft, 1984.
Elgin. Past and Present-Historical and Biographical, R. Waite Joslyn published by T. H.
Kennel & Co. in 1927.
Biographical Record of Kane County, 1898. •
National Register Application,Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum 1994
National Register Application,Elgin National Watch Factory Observatory 1994.
Historic Illinois, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, vol 17 no. 5 February 1995.
Retired Colonel Fred Lyman, Chief of Armory Facilities and Property Branch, Illinois
• National Guard, Verbal information regarding Elgin National Guard Armory.
i
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Elgin National Watch Historic District
Legal Description
That part of Sections 13 and 24, Township 41 North, Range 8 East Of the Third Principal
Meridian described as follows: Beginning at a point in the Westerly line of an alley, 1 rod in
width and adjoining the Westerly right of way line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
Company, said point being 3.31 chains (218.46 feet) South of the North line of Lot 7 in William
E. Bent's Addition to Elgin (being a subdivision of part of said Section 24); thence West and
parallel to the North line of said Lot 7, a distance of 286.85 feet to the East right of way line of
the former Elgin and Chicago Railway; thence Northwesterly along said East line to a point on the
South line of Lot 9 of Lessenden's Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24) that is 82.0
feet West of the Southeast corner thereof(as measured along the South line of said lot); thence
continuing Northwesterly along said East line to a point on the North line of Lot 8 of said
Lessenden's Addition that is 117.86 feet West of the Northeast corner thereof(as measured along
the North line of said lot); thence continuing Northwesterly along said East line 40.0 feet; thence
East to the West line of Lot 2 in William E. Bents Addition; thence Northerly along said West line
to the Northwest corner of said Lot 2; thence Northwesterly along the West line of Lot 1 in said
Bent's Addition 118.80 feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence east along the North line of
said Lot 1, a distance of 498.3 feet to the Westerly line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway
right of way; thence Northwesterly along the Westerly right of way of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railway to the Southerly line of National Street; thence Easterly along said
Southerly line to the Southerly extension of the Easterly line of Wellington Avenue; thence
Northwesterly along said Southerly extended line and along the Easterly line of said Wellington
Avenue to the Southerly extension of the Westerly line of Lot 16 of William F. Sylla's
Resubdivision of Lots A, B, C, D, E, and F of County Clerks Subdivision of Out Lots 22 and 23
of J. T. Gifford's Addition to Elgin (being a subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence
Northerly along said extended line, and also along the West line of said Lot 16, to the Northwest
corner thereof; thence Easterly along the North line of said lot, 48.0 feet to the Northeast corner
thereof; thence Southeasterly along the Northeasterly lines of Lots 15, 14, 13, and 12 in said
Sylla's Resubdivision, 157.0 feet to the most Northerly corner of Lot 10 in said resubdivision;
thence Southeasterly along the Northeasterly line of said Lot 10, 74.25 feet to the Southeasterly
line of the Northwesterly 1.0 foot of Lot 9 in said Sylla's Resubdivision; thence Northeasterly
along said Southeasterly line 50.0 feet to the Easterly line of said Lot 9; thence Southeasterly
along said Easterly line 36.62 feet to the most Westerly corner of Lot 8 in said subdivision; thence •
Northeasterly along the Northerly line of said lot, a distance of 123.25 feet to the centerline of
Villa Street; thence Southeasterly along said centerline to the Southerly extension of the East line
of Channing Street; thence North along said extended line and along the East line of Channing
Street to the Northwest corner of Lot 4 of George Plummers Addition to Elgin (being a
subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence East along the North line of said lot, 119.5 feet to
the Northeast corner thereof; thence North along the West line of Lot 5 of said subdivision, 25.0
feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence East along the North line of said Lot 5, 51.50 feet to
the Northeast corner thereof; thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 25.0 feet to the
Northwest corner of Lot 6 in said subdivision; thence East along the North line of Lots 6 and 7 in
said subdivision, 100.0 feet to the Northeast corner of said Lot 7; thence Southerly along the East
line thereof 87.50 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 8 in said subdivision; thence Southeasterly
along the Northerly line of Lots 8 and 9 in said subdivision, 112.0 feet to the Northeast corner of
said Lot 9; thence Southeasterly 66.0 feet to the Northwest corner of Lot 1 of James Barrett's
Second Addition, (being a subdivision of part of Section 13 aforesaid); thence Southeasterly along
the North line of Lots 1 thru 9 in said subdivision, 439.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 9 in
said subdivision; thence Easterly to the Northwest corner of Lot 14 of Bernard Healy's
Subdivision (being a subdivision of part of said Section 13); thence East along the North line of
said Lot 14, 189.75 feet to the Northeast corner thereof, thence South along the East line of said
Lot 14, 66.0 feet to the Southeast corner thereof; thence East along the North line of Lot 1 of
said subdivision, 189.75 feet to the Northeast corner thereof, thence Northeasterly to the
Northwest corner of Lot 5 in Block 1 of E. C. Lovell's Addition (being a subdivision of part of
said Section 13); thence East along the North line of said Lot 5, 164.0 feet to the Northeast
corner thereof; thence South along the East line of Lots 5, 4, and 3, in said Block, 256.8 feet to
the Southeast corner of said Lot 3; thence Southwesterly to a point on the Northerly line of Lot 3
in J. Welsby's Subdivision of Lots 1 and 2 and part of 3 in Block 9 of Sherman's Addition (being a
subdivision of part of Sections 13 and 24 aforesaid), said point being 136.0 feet Southeasterly of
the Northwest corner thereof(as measured along the Northerly line of said lot); thence South and
parallel with the West line of said lot 119.50 feet; thence East 7.35 feet; thence South and parallel
with the West line of said lot, 66.0 feet; thence East 18.0 feet to a point on the East line of Lot 4
in said Welsby's Subdivision, that is 11.0 feet South of the Northeast corner thereof, thence South
along the East line of Lots 4; 5, and 6, a distance of 187.0 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot
6; thence South 66.0 feet to a point on the South line of Sherman Avenue that is 132.0 feet East
of the East line of Liberty Street; thence South and parallel to said East line 135.30 feet; thence
East 63.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the East line of Liberty Street, 82.50 feet; thence East
66.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 5 in Block 9 of Sherman's Addition, (being a subdivision
of part of Section 24 aforesaid); thence South along the East line of said Lot 5, 165.0 feet to the
Southeast corner thereof; thence West along the South line of said Lot 5, 132.0 feet; thence South
and parallel to the East line of said Sherman's Addition, 165.0 feet to the South line of Lot 6 of
said subdivision; thence East along said South line 132.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 7 of
said subdivision; thence South along the East line thereof, 181.50 feet; thence West and parallel to
the South line of said Lot 7, a distance of 120.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the East line of
said subdivision, 132.0 feet to the South line of said Lot 7; thence Southwesterly to a point on the
North line of Lot 1 in Block 1 of Julia and Lois Van Nostrand's Addition to Elgin, (being a
subdivision of part of said Section 24); said point being 95.30 feet East of the Northwest corner
of said Lot 1 (as measured along the North line thereof); thence South and parallel with the West
line of said Block 1, 111.16 feet; thence East and parallel to the North line of Lot 3 in said
subdivision, 45.0 feet to the East line of said Lot 3; thence South along said East line and along
the East line of County Clerks Subdivision of Lot 347, a distance of 164.24 feet to the North line
of Van Nostrand Place; thence Southwesterly to a point on the North line of Lot 1 in Block 2 of
said Van Nostrand's Addition, said point being 120.85 feet East of the Northwest corner of said
Lot 1 (as measured along the North line thereof); thence South and parallel to the East line of said
Lot 1, a distance of 55.08 feet to the North line of Lot 2 of said Block2; thence East along the
North line of said Lot 2, 14.07 feet to the Northeast corner thereof; thence South along the East
line of Lots 2 and 3 in said Block 2, 110.16 feet to the Southeast corner of said Lot 3; thence
South along the Southerly extension of the last described line 110.16 feet to the North line of May
Street; thence Southeasterly to the Northeast corner of Lot 22 in Block 3 of Roosevelt's addition
(being a subdivision of part of said section 24);thence South along the East line of said Lot, 46.7
feet to the Southeast corner thereof; thence West along the South line of said lot, 177.25 feet to
the Southwest corner thereof; thence Southwesterly to the Southeast corner of Lot 2 in
Oaklawn's Addition, (being a subdivision of part of said Section 24); thence West along the South
line of Lots 2 and 19 in said subdivision, 269.5 feet to the Southwest corner of said Lot 19;
thence Southwesterly to a point on the East line of Lot 1 in Block 3 of P. Van Nostrand's
Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24) said point being 80.0 feet Southeasterly of the
Northeast corner of said lot (as measured along the West line thereof); thence West and parallel
to the North line of said lot, 142.0 feet; thence South and parallel to the West line of said Block 3,
a distance of 52.0 feet; thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, a distance of 66.0
feet to a line drawn Southerly and parallel to the West line of said Block from a point on the
North line of said Block that is 189.0 feet West of the Northeast corner thereof; thence Southerly
along said parallel line to a point on the South line of the North 60.0 feet of Lot 3 in said Block 3;
thence West along said South line to the East line of Lot 3 of J. S. Adams Subdivision of part of
Lots 2 and 3 in Block 3 of P. Van Nostrand's Addition (being a subdivision of said Section 24);
thence Northerly along the East line of said subdivision 126.0 feet to the South line of the North
6.0 feet of Lot 2 of said subdivision; thence West along said South line 132.0 feet to the West line
of said Lot 2; thence Southwesterly to the Southeast corner of Lot 1 in Block 2 of said Van
Nostrand's Subdivision; thence West along the South line of Lots 1 and 2 in said Block 2, 403.92
feet to the Southwest corner of said Lot 2; thence North along the West line of said Lot 2, 49.5
feet; thence Northwesterly to a point on the East line of Lot 1 in Block 1 of said Van Nostrand's
Subdivision, said point being 42.48 feet South of the Northeast corner of said Lot 1 (as measured
along the East line thereof); thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, 115.5 feet;
thence South 5.35 feet; thence West and parallel to the North line of said Block, 118.0 feet to the
West line of said Block; thence continuing West along the Westerly extension of the last described
line to the East line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway; thence Easterly to the point of
beginning, in the City of Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.
ELGIN HERITAGE COMMISSION
CITY OF ELGIN,ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE DESIGNATION OF
THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the area described as the Elgin National Watch Historic District, attached hereto, is
located in the near southeast part of the City of Elgin, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the area described as the Elgin National Watch Historic District, attached hereto, has
been identified by the Elgin Heritage Commission, Illinois, as a significant historical and
architectural area within the City of Elgin due to its connection to the establishment and growth of
the Elgin National Watch Factory; and
WHEREAS, a majority of all properties included with the Elgin National Watch Historic District,
date from 1860 to 1930, and encompass a broad range and diversity of architectural styles; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin National Watch Historic District as proposed, has met the requirements for
landmark historic district designation as specified in Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to designate areas having special historic, cultural, community, or
aesthetic interest or value for the purpose of recognizing Elgin's historic, aesthetic, architectural and
cultural heritage; enhancing one of the City's older residential areas; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to promote civic pride through an awareness of Elgin's unique
development and history; and encourage the conservation and preservation of an important segment -
of the man-made environment of the City of Elgin.
•
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ELGIN HERITAGE COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that the Elgin Heritage Commission, hereby recommends the
designation of the territory described and attached hereto, and made part hereof by reference, be and
hereby named as the"Elgin National Watch Historic District."
s/George Doscher
George Doscher, Chairman
Elgin Heritage Commission
•
Presented: June 9, 1997
Adopted: June 9, 1997
Vote: Yeas: 7, Nays: 0
Attest:
s/Sarosh Saher
Sarosh B. Saher, Historic Preservation Specialist
Staff Liaison and Secretary, Elgin Heritage Commission
ELGIN HERITAGE COMMISSION
CITY OF ELGIN,ILLINOIS
Report on the findings of the Elgin Heritage Commission concerning the nomination of the
Elgin National Watch Historic District.
Per Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal Code; Chapter 20.06; Section 20.06.070 (Findings and
Recommendations of the Elgin Heritage Commission)
I. Explanation of the significance or lack of significance of the nominated historic district as
it relates to the criteria for designation;
The significance of the nominated historic district was determined to meet the following
Criteria as outlined in Section 20.06.030 (Criteria for Consideration of Nomination).
A. The district has character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or
cultural characteristics of the community, county, state or country.
The Elgin National Watch Historic District has character, interest and value as part of the
development of the City of Elgin in that it played an instrumental part in the settlement and
growth of the city. This area has significance for its connection to the establishment and
growth of the Elgin National Watch Factory.
C. The district is identified with persons who significantly contributed to the development of
the community, county, state, or country.
The Elgin National Watch Historic District is identified with many persons who significantly
contributed to the development of the community. These persons include the"Seven Stars,"
master watch makers brought into Elgin to help establish the National Watch factory, and
several prominent business persons involved with a variety of local businesses including
manufacturing, banking, and retail. George S. Bowen owned a home in the area since
subdivided into Bowen Court and several homes along.St. Charles Street. He was a promoter
of the Chicago & Pacific Railway, former mayor, and received the franchise to light the city
from seven arc light towers.Abel Gifford(254 Villa Street)youngest brother James. T. Gifford
who is considered a founding father of Elgin. Abel Gifford was an owner and operator of a
large cattle farm located east of Elgin. Theodore F. Swan (320 Raymond Street), leading
merchant in Elgin for many years. Carlos H. Smith (392 Raymond Street) established the Elgin
Daily News. T.S. Wallin (533 S. Liberty) pioneer Chicago businessman, owner of a Grand
Rapids Michigan tannery. Some lesser influential however prominent citizens who lived in the
area.include:Peter Van Nostrand(529 Arlington Ave.) early farmer of the area,Ephrain
Lessenden (271 Lessenden Place) farmer,Rev E.C. Stover(370 Bent Street)Immanuel Baptist
Church,Edward C. Lovell(600 Villa).
D. The district embodies distinguishing characteristics of several architectural styles valuable
of the study of a period, type and method of construction, or use of indigenous materials.
The Elgin National Watch Historic District embodies distinguishing characteristics of
architectural styles valuable for the study of period, type, method of construction and the use of
indigenous materials. Many common styles are present within the district ranging from the
Elgin Heritage Commission - Findings of Fact page 2 .
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
June 5, 1997
period of building from 1860 to 1930. Only a few infill properties built after that time period
exist. The styles present include Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Prairie Tudor Revival, Brick
Flats, Gothic Revival, Shingle, Colonial Revival, American Foursquare, Row Houses,
Italianate, Gable Front, Stick Style, Workers Cottages, Cobblestone, Second Empire, Art Deco,
Neoclassical, Craftsman, and Bungalow.
E. The district is identified with master builders, designers and architects or landscape
architects whose individual works have influenced the development of the community, county,
state or country.
The proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District includes properties identified with noted
designers and architects whose individual works have influenced the development of the
community and state. Properties built by significant architects are: 533 St. Charles, Elgin Fire
Barn No. 5 Museum, Architect Smith Hoag, Smith Hoag is a local architect who is well known
for many significant landmarks such as the Woodstock Opera House. 500 & 502, 504
Arlington,Architect, W.W. Abell, Abell was a local architect who studied with the Prairie
School Architects of Chicago. 267-271 &342-344 Raymond, Architect Gilbert M. Turnbull.
Turnbull was a local architect most often associated with fine brick flats. 260 Raymond Street,
Elgin's Illinois National Guard Armor)). Although the architect is unknown, the building is
one of 18 similar designs built throughout the State of Illinois. 501 Arlington is a Sears Kit
House. Homes of similar designs were built throughout the United States after the turn of the
century. 411 Bowen Ct. is also a kit house of unknown origin.
. F. The district embodies elements of design, detailing, materials and craftsmanship that
render it architecturally significant.
The Elgin National Watch Historic District is comprised of properties that embody design
elements that make them structurally or architecturally innovative.
I. The district is a particularly fine or unique example of utilitarian structures, including, but
not limited to farmhouses, gas stations or other commercial structures, with a high level of
integrity or architectural significance. •
There are many properties within the Elgin National Watch Historic District that area a
particularly fine example of a utilitarian structure and have a high level of structural integrity or
architectural significance. The Elgin National Watch Company Observatory ensured the
scientific accuracy of its famous timepieces by calculating time through observation of the
stars. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 as the last functional,
physical remnant of a local employer that once dominated the American watch manufacturing
industry. Another documented building associated with the Elgin Watch Company is the Elgin
Watch Factory Train Depot, constructed in 1883 and currently in the process of restoration.
J. The district is suitable for preservation and restoration.
The properties within the boundaries of the proposed district are of exceptional condition and
though many properties are in need of work, they do, in fact, retain a large amount of their
•
Elgin Heritage Commission - Findings of Fact page 3
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
June 5, 1997
integrity. The area proposed as the Elgin•National Watch Historic District also exhibits
sufficient integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship to make it worthy of
preservation or restoration.
The Elgin National Watch Historic District meets six of the criteria necessary for landmark
designation and has sufficient integrity of location and workmanship to make it worthy of
preservation.
II. Explanation of the integrity or lack of integrity of the nominated historic district
III. In the case of a nominated historic district found to meet the criteria for designation:
1.The significant exterior architectural features of the structures within the nominated
historic district that would be protected are as follows:
Foundations
Siding
Masonry
Stucco
Roofs, Chimneys, Gutters, and Down spouts •
Entrances and Doors
Windows
Porches and Stoops
Cornices and Friezes
Ornamentation: Trim, Brackets, Hood molds, Shutters, Awnings, Light Fixtures
Garages and Outbuildings (accessory structures)
Mechanical Systems
Roofs
Siding
Driveways, Parking Lots and Paving
Fences
Garbage Collectors
Landscaping •
Grade Changes
Retaining Walls
Sidewalks and Walkways
Yard Features (Pergolas, Gazebos, Fountains)
Decks and Fire Escapes
Handicapped Access Ramps
Residential Additions (New Rooms)
New Residential Buildings and Construction (Primary and Secondary Buildings)
Satellite Dishes and Antennas
•
Elgin Heritage Commission - Findings of Fact page 4
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
June 5, 1997
Signs and Graphic Designs
Solar Panels
Swimming Pools
and any other feature as defined by the Elgin Design Guideline Manual.
2.The types of alterations and demolitions that should be reviewed for appropriateness
pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 20.08 and 20.10 of title 20.
Per Chapter 20.08 the types of alterations that would be reviewed for appropriateness, where a
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) shall be required before the following actions affecting
the exterior architectural appearance of any designated landmark, or any property within an
historic district may be undertaken:
a. Any exterior construction, alteration, removal or demolition requiring a building permit
from the City;
b. Any exterior construction, alteration, removal or demolition affecting a significant exterior
architectural feature.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of Title 20 to the contrary, a Certificate of Economic
Hardship may be issued to allow for the performance of work for a which a Certificate of
Appropriateness has been denied.
IV. Proposed design guidelines for applying the criteria for review of Certificates of
Appropriateness to the nominated historic district.
The guidelines document currently used is the Elgin Design Guideline Manual.
These guidelines are specific to Elgin's landmarks and historic districts and serve as a guide
and resource to property owners, architects, contractors, and staff during the process of
reviewing exterior changes to properties.
V. The relationship of the nominated historic district to the ongoing efforts of the Elgin
Heritage Commission to identify and nominate all potential areas and structures that
meet the criteria for designation.
The Elgin Heritage Commission has planned the survey and inventory of structures in following
• neighborhoods for their potential to be designated as historic districts.
List of completed and future surveys of older neighborhoods within the City of Elgin
1. Illinois Historic Structures Survey complete 1972
(Interim Report 1972)
•
Elgin Heritage Commission -Findings of Fact page 5
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
June 5, 1997
2. Illinois Historic Landmarks Survey complete 1974 ,
(Interim Report 1974)
3. Elgin Historic District (photographic) complete 1982
4. Center City Survey .complete 1991
5. Near West Side complete 1995
6. Laurel Area complete 1995
7. Michigan Triangle complete 1995
8. Spring-Douglas complete 1995
9. Northeast Neighborhood complete 1997
10. Southeast Neighborhood proposed 1997
(Elgin National Watch HD)
11. Lord's Park proposed 1997
12. Southwest Neighborhood proposed 1998
13. Northwest Neighborhood proposed 1999
14. Midwest Neighborhood proposed 2000
(Dutch Flats)
15. Shoe factory District proposed 2001
16. Sunset Park proposed 2002
17. Elgin Historic District proposed 2003
•
VI. Recommendations as to appropriate permitted uses,special uses,height and area
regulations, minimum dwelling size,floor area, sign regulations and placing
regulations necessary or appropriate to the preservation of the nominated historic
district.
The regulations for permitted uses, special uses, height and area regulations, minimum
dwelling size, floor area, sign regulations and placing regulations necessary or appropriate to
the preservation of the nominated historic district shall comply with the provisions of Title 19
(Zoning) of the Elgin Municipal Code.
VU. A map showing the location of the boundaries of the nominated historic district.
(Attachment A)
Rationale used to determine the boundaries of the proposed district
The boundary for the District as proposed is Lake Street and Villa Street to the north, S.
Liberty to the east, May Street to the south, and the Fox River and an old railroad spur to the
west.
The boundaries were chosen to reflect the growth and development of the near southeast side
as it relates to the Elgin National Watch factory. The oldest area is what is commonly called
the Michigan Street triangle. This area includes a great deal of property owned by the Watch
factory to house workers for the factory. The,eastern boundary was chosen as S. Liberty
Elgin Heritage Commission -Findings of Fact page 6
Proposed Elgin National Watch Historic District
June 5, 1997
because the age and styles of the housing east of Liberty begin to change and newer housing
stock is represented. This district could reasonably be much larger extending to Bluff City
Blvd., however, the nominators chose to make it smaller for management purposes. May
street was chosen to allow/for the inclusion of several significant properties into the district.
Both sides of all boundary roads are included in the district to allow for the uniformity of •
enforcement and aesthetics.
The site of the former watch factory was excluded from the district because the buildings that
are currently on the site would be noncontributing and are not deemed worthy of historic
preservation.
VIII. A listing of all street addresses and a total number of properties. (Attachment B)
(List included in the attached nomination)
'tea
City of Elgin
\ Mayor
(-6 . ^ �. Kevin Kelly
%TEDFE6,
Council Members
Terry Gavin
Robert Gilliam
John T. McKevitt
Ed Schock
MEMORANDUM John Walters
Marie Yearman
DATE: March 11, 1997
TO: Clay Pearson, Director
Department of Code Administration and Neighborhood Affair
FROM: Sarosh B. Saher, Historic Preservation Specialist
SUBJECT: Nomination of the Elgin National Watch Historic District
At the meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission held on Monday, March 10, 1997, a proposal
was made by citizens of the Southeast neighborhood to nominate as an historic district, the area
generally bounded by Lake Street, Villa Street, South Liberty Street, May Street and Lower
Wellington Street. The proposed historic district would be known as the Elgin National Watch
Historic District. A copy of the nomination form and map is attached for your reference.
(Attachment A).
The Elgin Heritage Commission unanimously voted to accept and sponsor the nomination. �4-
Prior to the nomination of the proposed district, members of the South East Elgin Neighbors
(SEEN) Association held a series of three public informational meetings to inform property
owners and residents on the benefits and responsibilities of the potential historic district. The
meetings were held on February 5, 19, and 25, 1997 at various public locations within the
neighborhood. Every property owner received a bilingual flyer announcing the meetings together
with a brochure concerning the proposed district. I have attached a copy of the brochure for your
reference. (Attachment B)
Per the requirements of Chapter 20.06 "Landmark and Historic District Nomination and
Designation" the following steps will be undertaken:
1. A public hearing is required to be scheduled within ninety days of the date of the nomination
to obtain the comments and testimony of citizens and groups regarding the designation of the
district. The hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 1997 at the City Council
Chambers. A transcript of the proceedings of the public hearing will be obtained and used by
the Commission to prepare their recommendation to the City Council.
2. Interim control of exterior work to structures will be required. As a result, all permits issued
150 Dexter Court • Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 • TDD 847/931-5616
Pnntee on recycled nape,
•
Elgin National Watch Historic District Nomination page 2
by the Department of Code Administration and Neighborhood Affairs for exterior work to
flats
ds
properties located within the proposed will be accompanied by a Certificate of ,Nd
Appropriateness (COA). The COA would require that all work carried out to the exterior of 'nter`ii o."
the property conform with the Elgin Design Guideline Manual, currently pending approval eves' "
from the City Council. The majority of COAs are issued on the same day of application.
3. Letters announcing the nomination and the public hearing will be sent out by the end of this
week to all residents and owners of property within the proposed district. A copy of the
nomination, a map of the proposed district and a legal description will be attached along with
a copy of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Also included would be a brochure
outlining the benefits and responsibilities of property owners within the proposed historic
district. Reference will be made to the availability of the Elgin Design Guideline Manual at the
Gail Borden Public Library.
4. The Elgin Heritage Commission has requested that an opinion survey of all property owners
within the proposed district be conducted. The survey will be carried out in the same manner
as completed during the designation of the Spring-Douglas Historic District. The information
obtained from the survey will facilitate the decision of both the Elgin Heritage Commission
and the City Council on the designation of the district.
5. Within 30 days of the public hearing, the Elgin Heritage Commission will be required to adopt
a resolution on whether the nominated district meets the criteria for designation. The findings
and the recommendation of the Elgin Heritage Commission will be transmitted to the Elgin
City Council Committee of the Whole for consideration during the first meeting in July
scheduled for July 9, 1997.
THE POTENTIAL
ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH
L. HISTORIC DISTRICT
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City of E&in
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Lanimar District
Application forqs F "
d. ates« c�;<'�`'': z
Nominati
rDate-to:Cauncil= , ;:A
Applicant Information:
Name: Terry Wawrzyniak
Address: 414 S Liberty
Phone: 622-0427
Proposed Name of District:
Elgin National Watch Historic District
Proposed Street Boundaries: Lake St. and Villa, to
South Liberty, to May Street , all of lower Wellington. to Bent to
Chicago Northwestern track to Lake St.
Required Attachments:
1. List of the common street addresses of all principal
buildings.
2 . City of Elgin map delineating the proposed district.
3 . Written legal description of proposed district
boundaries.
4 . Photographic documentation. Representative collection
of streetscape photos.
5 . Written narrative describing proposed landmark
district and the designation criteria it meets.
1. Common Street Addresses of all Principal Properties within
district.
May Street
355 356 357 359 362 365 366 369 370 373
415 417 420 421 456 511
Bent Street
306 307 312 315 358 364 370 398 400 406
407 524
Booth CT.
364 365
Yarwood
359 363 366 367 370 371 375 376 377 379
380 383
Regent
465 467 480 525
Bartlett Place
252 258 262 264 251 255 259 261 265 269
Watch Street
250 253 256 260 261 262 265 266 270 312
320 330 335 338-
Sherman Ave
400 404 - 406 407 418 424 432 446 450 504
506 508 510 514
Villa Street
208 210 216 218 222 226 230 232 234 238
240 242 246 254 260 262 264 266 270 274
278 282 286 288 290 292 296 311 315 319
325 329 401 402 404 408 411 414 416 419
420 425 426 432 433 438 439 443 444 447
450 451 454 456 457 463 500 503 508 511
513 516 517 520 521 526 527 530 533 535
560 600 601
National Street
201 203 207 211 213 215 217 219 223 225
229 256 258 259 215 259 221 227
Gifford Place
274 277 278 281 282 284 285
Villa Place
273 278 279 281 283
Lake Street
315 319 323
Lessenden Place
265 266 270 271 272 277
Michigan Street
211 212 213 217 218 221 223 224 225 230
234 235 236 237 240 241 242 243 248 250
2540 256
Raymond
254 257 263 265 269 271 273 275 279 283
287 307 314 317 319 322 325 326 328 330
334 335 338 342 344 346 354 355 358 360
362 365 366 372 377 378 379 383 384 387
389 392 393 395 400 403 404 408 411 412
417 420 421 424 425 428 429 432 435 436
437 440 444 501 502 505 506 . 507 512 513
50 18 521 527 528 531 532 536 537 538
541 543 544 548 549 552 553 556 557 561
566 602 603 333
Wellington
315 317 321 323 325 331 361 363 387 391
393 411 421 501 502 504 506 507 510 511
514 517 518 522 523 527 528 531 532 534
535 536 540 541 542 545 546 549 550 551
554 555 556 559 562 565 600 603
St. Charles
316 326 329 332 333 334 336 338 343 344
346 347 351 352 357 363 364 369 372 373
376 378 384 385 388 392 398 405 411 415
418 419 422 426 427 428 431 434 435 436
437 44 446 448 450 452 453 456 457 460
463 465 466 469 472 475 476 479 500 506
512 520 526 530 533 536 542 548 607 611
614 618
Arlington Ave
400 401 406 409 410 411 414 415 417 418
419 421 424 430 433 450 451 457 458 461
464 465 470 471 475 476 477 480 485 500
501 502 504 505 508 511 519 521 527 537
541 551
Bowen CT
400 401 407 408 411 420 421 422 425 426
427 430 431 432 437
Grace Street
502 507 508 509 512 515 517 518 524 525
529 530 531 535 536 539 541 542 545 546
551 554 562 605
Richert CT.
335 356 358 360 362
Liberty Street
358 364 367 368 372 373 376 381 382 384
385 402 403 407 408 411 414 415 420 423
426 427 r429 431 432 439 450 451 456 460
461 4663 464 467 469 470 472 473 476 479
481 482 500 503 506 507 510 511 514 51
515 518 519 530 539 540 543 544 547 555
600 601 602 606
I. The Elgin National Watch Historic District has character and
interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural
characteristics of the City of Elgin in that it played an
instrumental part in the settlement and growth of the city.
This area has significance for its connection to the establishment
and growth of the Elgin National Watch Factory.
Elgin National Watch Factory Historic District is significant to the
history of Elgin in that it is an example of the settlement patterns from the
mid 1800's to the early twentieth century. The northern most segment of
the district was platted by J. T. Gifford in 1846. The earliest development
of the area occurred in conjunction with the Chicago and Northwestern
Railroad. The area bounded by Villa, National Street and the C & NW
railroad was further subdivided into smaller city lots to accommodate the
growing population of Elgin.
The major boom came to the Southeast side when the four investors
agreed to purchase property for what would become the National Watch
Factory. Silvanus Wilcox, Walter L. Pease, Henry Sherman and Benjamin F.
Lawrence purchased what was then the Dexter Farm, at that time just
south of the city of Elgin. They donated 35 acres to the Watch Factory and
the remainder was subdivided into building lots. Seven experienced watch
makers were recruited to start to set up the new factory. As an incentive
to recruit these young men each was given a substantial bonus a five year
contract and an acre lot located south and east of the new factory site. The
"Seven Stars", names given to the seven young men, built spacious homes
on the sites located along what is now Raymond, St. Charles St. and Watch
St. At least one of these homes remains, that of John K. Bigelow at 320
Raymond.
The southeast side became home to many prominent
businesspersons but most often to watch factory employees. Nearly every
residence has at one time or another housed a watch factory worker. Often
times as a boarder.
The significance of the area can be directly linked to the significance
of the factory itself. The Elgin National Watch Factory purchased property
within the district to house educate and entertain their workers. This
neighborhood was directly linked to the factory. The growth of the factory
is parallel the growth of the neighborhood.
Some significant "firsts" took place in the district. The first company
owned observatory was built by the National Watch Factory. This
Observatory was used to orchestrate the lighting of the electric light for
the 1933-34 Century of Progress world's fair in Chicago.
The first public telephone subscriber in Elgin was placed in the home
of George Hunter, one of the watch factory "Seven Stars", in August of
1881. His home was located on Hunter Street which later become Watch
Street.
H. The Elgin National Watch Historic District is identified with
many persons who significantly contributed to the development
of the community.
Several Prominent citizens of Elgin lived in the district.
The "Seven Stars" of the National Watch Factory all lived at one time. in
the area. Charles S. Moseley, George Hunter,John K. Bigelow (320
Raymond), Patten S. Bartlett, Otis Hoyt, Charles Mason , and Daniel R.
Hartwell. Other prominent watch factory personnel also lived in the area.
Professor William Payne, astronomer (506 Sherman), Francis A. Goodrow,
engraver(414 S. Liberty),Augustine Fish,jobmaster (363 St. Charles St.)
George S. Bowen, owned a home in the area since subdivided into
Bowen Court and several homes along St. Charles Street. He was a promoter
of the Chicago & Pacific Railway, former mayor,and received the franchise
to light the city from seven arc light towers.
Abel Gifford ( 254 Villa Street) youngest brother Jas. T. Gifford who
is considered a founding father of Elgin. Abel Gifford was an owner and
operator of a large cattle farm located east of Elgin.
Theodore F. Swan (320 Raymond Street), leading merchant in Elgin
for many years.
Carlos H. Smith (392 Raymond) established the Elgin Daily News.
T.S. Wallin (533 S. Liberty) pioneer Chicago businessman, owner of a
Grand Rapids Michigan tannery.
Some lesser influential however prominent citizens who lived in the area
include: -
Peter Van Nostrand (529 Arlington Ave) early farmer of the area
Ephrain Lessenden (271 Lessenden Place) farmer.
Rev E.C. Stover (370 Bent Street) Immanuel Baptist Church.
Edward C. Lovell (600 Villa)
III. The Elgin National Watch Historic District embodies
distinguishing characteristics of architectural styles valuable for
the study of period, type, method of construction and the use of
indigenous materials;
The area embodies many architectural and building styles from the mid
1800s to the 1920's including:
Greek Revival, Gothic Revival Italianate Second Empire
Queen Anne Shingle Gable Front Art Deco
Prairie Colonial Revival StickStyle Neo Classical
Tudor Revival American Workers Craftsman
Foursquare form Cottages Bungalow
Brick Flats & Row Houses cobblestone
IV. Properties within the Elgin National Watch Historic District are
identified with noted designers and architects whose individual
works have influenced the development of the community and
state.
The district has a number of significant individual landmark properties.
Properties which have significant architects are
•. 533 St. Charles, Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum, Architect Smith Hoag,
Smith Hoag is a local architect who is well known for many significant
landmarks such as the Woodstock Opera House.
• 500 & 502,504 Arlington, architect, W.W. Abell Abell was a local
architect who studied with the Prairie School Architects of Chicago.
• 267-271 & 342-344 Raymond, architect Gilbert M. Turnbull. Turnbull
was a local architect most often associated with fine brick flats.
• 260 Raymond Street, Elgin's Illinois National Guard Armory Although
the architect is unknown the building is one of 18 of similar design built
throughout the State of Illinois.
• 501 Arlington is a Sears Kit House. Homes of similar designs were built
throughout the United states after the turn of the century.
• 411 Bowen CT is also a kit house of unknown origin.
•
V. Properties within the Elgin National Historic District embody
design elements that make them structurally or architecturally
innovative;
Buildings in the area use a number of unusual building techniques.
• 529 Arlington, has a cobblestone foundation. The work with
cobblestones was popular in Elgin in the mid 1800's
• The National Watch Observatory,(312 Watch Street) is unique in its
siting as well as construction. It is built on a gravel base to absorb
vibrations of the earth and is substantial in structure. The building was
built to be fireproof.
• The Elgin National Guard Armory, (260 Raymond) was built by WPA
workers from 1937 to 1938. The building was entirely built on site of
concrete poured entirely by hand.
• The Watch Factory Depot(201 National Street) was assembled off sit
and brought into town and placed on a platform at it current location.
VI. There are many properties within the Elgin National Watch
Historic District that area a particularly fine example of a
utilitarian structure and have a high level of structural integrity
or architectural significance;
The Elgin National Watch Historic District has several fine examples
of exceptional utilitarian structure.
• The Elgin National Guard Armory built in 1937-1939. Art Deco in style,
the building is used to train the Illinois National Guard. This facility was
originally built as a community facility with some National Guard use. It
is currently predominantly used for the National Guard with some
community uses. It has been in continuous use for training of the
Armed Forces since it was built during the New Deal era.
• Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum is an example of a turn of the century fire
barn built to house horses. It remained in use by the Elgin Fire
Department from its date of construction 1903, until being
decommissioned in 1992, only closing for nine years during the great
depression
• Garfield School, formally May Street School was originally built in 1889.
Two additions have been made to the structure to accommodate the
growing school population.
• Calvary Baptist Church, Formally Epworth Methodist Church was built in
1912. The church retains all of its original integrity and continues to act
a functioning house of worship.
• There are several commercial store front along National Street which
continue to function as small independent shops.
VII. The Elgin National Watch Historic District meets six of the
criteria necessary for landmark designation and has sufficient
integrity of location and workmanship to make it worthy of
preservation.
Within the boundaries of this district are a substantial number of
contributing structures which maintain a great deal of structural integrity.
There are also a number of non-contributing structures which could be
made contributing with the removal of synthetic sidings and repair of
- original materials. Buildings range in size from the smallest of Workers
Cottages to Community Facilities as large as a public elementary school and
an armory.
Bibliography for Elgin National Watch Historic District
Sanborn Fire Insurance Company Maps. 1892, 1897, 1913, 1941 revised.
Elgin City Directories 1875, 1881,1884, 1878, & 1900
Wallin, Thos. S. Elgin Daily Courier d. 14 May 1907 p.1 col. 1
Frasier, Levi M. d. 26 July 1902 p. 5 co1.4 Elgin Weekly Courier
Lessenden, Caroline d. 6 April 1895 Elgin Daily Courier p.4 co1.6
. Swan Theodore F. Swan Elgin Every Saturday 2 May 1896 P.1 col. 1
Smith Carlos H., Elgin Every Saturday 11 January 1 1896 p.1 col.1
Fish Augustine T., Elgin Every Saturday 1896 p.1 col.1.
Goodrow, Francis A., Elgin Every Saturday p.1 col. 1.
Bowen, George S. Elgin Every Saturday p.1 col 1.
Building Reports Elgin Daily Courier December 30 1893, December 31, 1892, December
31,1907.
Plat Book of the City of Elgin, Vol 1 East Elgin, F. H. Smith Surveyor 1897 corrected to
1907
Elgin: an American History 1835-1895, E. C. Alft, 1984.
Elgin, Past and Present-Historical and Biographical, R. Waite Joslyn published by T. H.
Kennel & Co. in 1927.
Biographical Record of Kane County, 1898.
National Register Application, Elgin Fire Barn No. 5 Museum 1994
National Register Application, Elgin National Watch Factory Observatory 1994.
Historic Illinois, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, vol 17 no. 5 February 1995.
Retired Colonel Fred Lyman, Chief of Armory Facilities and Property Branch, Illinois
National Guard, Verbal information regarding Elgin National Guard Armory.
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i ,
1
1
2 BEFORE THE ELGIN HERITAGE COMMISSION
3
4 IN RE :
5 THE PROPOSED ELGIN NATIONAL
WATCH FACTORY HISTORIC DISTRICT
6
7
8
9
Elgin , Illinois
10
May 22 , 1997
11
6 : 30 P . M .
12
13
14
REPORT
15
OF
16
PROCEEDINGS
17
18
19 Reported by Victoria L . Kellenberger , C . S ..R .
20
21
22
23 6'L �i4n
6c -vim;i GvF. .:.`J.Cfifv.
24
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1 PRESENT :
2 GEORGE DOSCHER, Chairman
LYNDA BLOOM-DEGROOT
3 GREG GUERRERO
PATRICIA HILL
4 DAN MILLER
LINDA ROCK
5 BRIGID TRIMBLE
THOMAS SANDOR
6
7
8
9
10 REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS had at the meeting of
11 the Elgin Heritage Commission , at the offices of
12 the City of Elgin , City Council Chambers , 150
13 Dexter Court , Elgin , Illinois , on the 22nd day of
14 May, AD 1997 , at 6 : 30 P . M .
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23 .
24
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1 MR . DOSCHER : I would entertain a motion to
2 open the public hearing .
3 MS . TRIMBLE : So moved .
4 MR . SANDOR : Second .
5 ' MR . DOSCHER : Those in favor signify by saying
6 aye .
7 (Whereupon all the members
8 voted aye . )
9 MR . DOSCHER : Opposed?
10 Okay . Just a brief introduction of some
11 of the procedures and what would be happening in
12 the future regarding this proposed historic
13 district .
14 The purpose of this public hearing is to
15 obtain the comment of property owners , residents
16 and concerned citizens regarding the proposed
17 historic district . Oral testimony will be
18 recorded by a stenographic reporter . Written
•
19 testimony may also be submitted and will be made a
20 part of the permanent record .
21 The Elgin Heritage Commission serves as a
22 volunteer citizens ' advisory board . We are
23 appointed by the mayor and the members of City
24 Council . And our role tonight is to conduct this
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1 hearing and to obtain testimony .
2 I will ask that the commission members
3 withhold any comments until the end of the public
4 hearing unless there is a compelling reason to
5 address a point immediately .
6 There will be no formal action by the
7 Elgin Heritage Commission tonight . We will obtain
8 testimony, consider it carefully and act on a
9 nomination proposal at our next meeting .
10 Following that the commission will submit
11 its recommendation together with a report of the
12 findings to the Elgin City Council . That
13 recommendation can come in various forms . It can
14 come in a recommendation for approval of the
15 nomination as written , ' a recommendation for
16 approval with modifications , or it could come as a
17 recommendation that this nomination not be
18 considered at this time .
19 The City Council will then review the
20 matter and vote to accept - - accept with
21 modifications or reject the nomination at that
22 time . They would most likely act on this at one
23 of their meetings in June or early July .
24 A sign-up sheet is available at the door
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1 for persons who would like to provide comments . I
2 will call out the names of those who wish to speak
3 in the order that they signed up .
4 Prior to speaking , please state your name
5 and address for the record .
6 Also , if you would like to submit any
7 written testimony , you may do so at the end of
8 your statement or at the end of the - - at the end
9 of the public hearing .
10 And at this time I would like to have
11 Sarosh Saher , the city preservation specialist,
12 read an overview of the district nomination .
13 MR . SAHER : What I ' m about to read is an
14 excerpt from a nomination that was submitted to
15 the Elgin Heritage Commission on the 12th of March
16 1997 .
17 The Elgin National Watch Factory Historic
18 District is significant to the history of Elgin in
19 that it is an example of the settlement patterns
20 from the mid 1800 ' s to the early 20th century .
21 The northernmost segment of the district was
22 platted by J . T . Gifford in 1846 .
23 The earliest development of the area
24 occurred in the conjunction with the Chicago and
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1 Northwestern Railroad . The area bounded by Villa
2 Street , National Street and. the C & NW Railroad
3 was further subdivided in smaller city lots to
4 accommodate the growing population of Elgin .
5 The major- boom came to the southeast side
6 when the four investors agreed to purchase
7 property for what would become the National Watch
8 Factory . Silvanus Wilcox , Walter L . Pease , Henry
9 Sherman and Benjamin F . Lawrence purchased what
10 was then the Dexter Farm at that time just south
11 of the city of Elgin.
12 They donated 35 acres to the watch
13 factory, and the remainder was subdivided into
14 building lots .
15 Seven experienced watch makers were
16 recruited to start to set up the new factory . As
17 an incentive to recruit these young men, each was
18 given a, substantial bonus , a five -year contract
19 and an acre lot located south and east of the new
20 factory site . The seven stars , which were the
21 names given to the seven young men , built spacious
22 homes on the sites located along what is now
23 Raymond , St . Charles and Watch Street .
24 At least one of the these homes remains ,
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1 that of John Bigelow at 320 Raymond Street .
2 The southeast side became home to many
3 prominent business persons , but most often to
4 watch factory. employees . Nearly every residence
5 has at one time or another housed a watch factory
6 , worker , oftentimes as a boarder .
7 The significance of the area can be
8 directly linked to the significance of the factory
9 itself . The Elgin National Watch Factory
10 purchased property within the district to house ,
11 educate and entertain their workers . This
12 neighborhood was directly linked to the factory .
13 The growth of the factory is parallel •to the
14 growth of the neighborhood .
15 Some significant firsts also took place
16 in the neighborhood . The first company-owned
17 observatory was built by the National Watch
18 Factory . This observatory was used to orchestrate
19 the lighting of the electric light for the 1933 - 34
20 Century of Progress world' s fair in Chicago .
21 The first public telephone subscriber in
22 Elgin was placed in the home of George Hunter , one
23 of the watch factory seven stars , in August of
24 1881 . His home was located on Hunter Street ,
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1 which later became Watch Street today .
2 Several prominent citizens of Elgin lived
3 in the district . The seven stars of the National
4 Watch Factory all lived at one time in the area :
5 Charles S . Moseley, George Hunter , George Bigelow,
6 Patten S . Bartlett , Otis Hoyt , Charles Mason and
7 Daniel R . Hartwell .
8 Other prominent watch factory personnel
9 also lived in the area : Professor William Payne ,
10 astronomer , at 506 Sherman Avenue ; Francis A .
11 Goodrow, engraver , at 414 South Liberty ; Augustine
12 Fish , job master , at 363 St . Charles Street .
13 George S . Bowen owned a home in ,the area
14 since subdivided into Bowen Court and several
15 homes along St . Charles Street . He was a promoter
16 of the Chicago and Pacific Railway, former mayor
17 and received the franchise to light the city from
18 seven arc light towers .
19 Able Gifford at 254 Villa Street ,.
20 youngest brother of J . T . Gifford , who is
21 considered a founding father of Elgin . Able
22 Gifford was an owner and operator of a large
23 cattle farm located east of Elgin .
24 Theodore F . Swan at 320 Raymond Street , a
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1 leading merchant in Elgin for many years .
2 Carlos H . Smith , at 392 Raymond ,
3 established the Elgin Daily News .
4 T . S . Wallin at 533 South Liberty, a
5 pioneer. Chicago businessman and owner of Grand
6 Rapids , Michigan , tannery .
7 Some less influential however prominent
8 citizens also lived in the area . And these
9 include : Peter VanNostrand at 529 Arlington
10 Avenue , an early farmer of the area ; Ephrain
11 Lessenden at 271 Lessenden Place , a farmer again ;
12 and Reverend E . C . Stover at 370 Bent Street ,
13 connected to the Immanuel Baptist Church ; and
14 Edward C . Lovell at 600 Villa Street .
15 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you , Sarosh .
16 If I could have the list from over
17 there .
18 Thank you .
19 I will preface this by saying I ' m not an
20 expert with names , but I will do my best . The
21 first name on the list is Terry Wawrzyniak , 414
22 South Liberty . Street .
23 MR . WAWRZYNIAK : Terry Wawrzyniak , 414 South
24 Liberty Street .
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1 I ' d like to read a letter I received this
2 week : Dear Mr . Wawrzyniak : I am a former Elgin
3 National Watch Factory employee . I have recently
4 read in the Daily Herald that the southeast side
5 of Elgin is being considered for historical
6 district . The name chosen , the Elgin National
7 Watch Historic District , is very appropriate for
8 that area .
9 The Elgin Watch Factory deserves to be
10 recognized in more ways than one . Many of my
11 watch factory co-workers lived in the southeast
12 neighborhood , and I have always admired the
13 beautiful older homes they once owned .
14 Unfortunately, today in that area I see
15 deterioration and many houses in need of repair .
16 Hopefully, the. proposed historical district will
17 restore this once attractive neighborhood . It is
18 so much part of the watch factory, I would hate to
19 see it deteriorate .
20 I am . amazed at the appearance and beauty
21 of thenortheast restoration . It enhances the
22 neighborhood and gives the people that live there
23 and the community something to be proud of . This
24 is evident in the articles that are written in
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1 magazines and newspapers about the most
2 up- and- coming city to live in , Elgin .
3 Let ' s give the south Elgin southeast
4 neighborhood a chance and to prove they care .
5 Thank you for all your efforts , Doris
6 Survant .
7 I ' ll give this to you now .
8 Actually , Elgin is known and recognized
9 for the Elgin watch . And it ' s what gave it fame
10 and put it on the map . But today the Elgin Watch
11 Factory no longer exists .
12 . What remains , however , is the
13 neighborhoods that surround it . Just in walking
14 distance from the factory the workers settled in
15 these houses and buildings . Many have original
16 detailing and contain unique architectural styling
17 that deserve preservation .
18 These structures remain , but for how
19 long? With the steady deterioration of the
20 southeast Elgin neighborhood, more and more
21 structures are falling in disrepair . Please don ' t
22 let the watch factory neighbor disappear like the
23 watch factory itself . This is the last part of
24 the rich history of the Elgin watch .
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1 Let ' s preserve for future generations and
2 keep a part of Elgin watch history alive .
3 Thank you .
4 . MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
5 The next name on the list , there isn ' t a
6 reference of whether or not you ' d like to speak ,
7 . Barbara Lenart , Lenart .
8 MS . LENART : That ' s me .
9 MR . DOSCHER : Did you want to provide a
10 comment this evening?
11 MS . LENART : My name is Barbara Lenart . And I
12 live at 464 Arlington Avenue .
13 I support what he has said with all my
14 heart . I grew up in the area . My father - -
15 MR . DOSCHER : I ' m sorry . Could you just go
16 ahead and step up to the podium?
17 THE WITNESS : I really don ' t have a lot. that I
18 can really offer historically other than I grew up
19 in the area and my father is 82 years old, and
20 he ' s provided a vast wealth of information .
21 And I want to bottom line everything . I
22 have a lot of heartfelt sentiments for the whole
23 area . I can walk up and down streets and remember
24 the people that lived there and our neighbors and
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1 what not , I ' m sure like you can as you ' ve grown
2 up .
3 Bottom line for this is you' re not
4 just - - this is not about money . This is about
5 people , people and their families and their
6 lives .
7 And it enriches their children . It ' s
8 giving them something that you can never take away
9 from them , something that I hold dear , that I know
10 no one will ever take away from me .
11 And we all feel like we have a vested
12 interest . We live on Arlington and have owned our
13 home for 25 years . I grew up on Grace Street , and
14 I had a. wonderful childhood growing up in Garfield
15 School .
16 And my father was - - he went to Garfield
17 School . So I can go on and on :
18 And that ' s all I can really say is that
19 we really feel that this is something that we want
20 to pass on . We won ' t be able to preserve much if
21 we don ' t have something historically down where we
22 can say : This is our area ; this is - - this is
23 what we need to pass on .
24 That ' s all I have to say .
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1 MR . DOSCHER : Very good . Thank you .
2 The next name also didn ' t express a
3 preference , Dolores Anderson .
4 MS . ANDERSON : No .
5 MR . DOSCHER : That ' s fine .
6 The next name is April Nowak .
7 MS . NOWAK : April Nowak , 456 South Liberty .
8 I lived in Elgin since 1970 and the
9 address on South Liberty since 1979 ..
10 We bought a turn-of - the - century house
11 which was in somewhat disrepair , having had a very
12 elderly person living there for many years who
13 couldn ' t upkeep it . And we ' ve spent ten years
14 restoring the. house and the - - you know , stripping
15 woodwork and replastering walls and things like
16 • that .
17 And we really have a lot of investment in
18 . our own property as well as the other houses
19 around us . When we see Terry' s house , who lives
20 down the street , and other folks that have come in
21 and really improved the property and made it a
22 neighborhood that is beginning to have some of the
23 old charm that it once did , it ' s very - - it spurs
24 you on .
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1 When you come - - when you see other
2 people purchasing property and putting aluminum
3 siding on and , you know , making it look like
' 4 something much different , it really is very
5 disheartening , and it makes you want to leave .
6 So I think that those of us who have made
7 a commitment to the neighborhood and would like to
8 see it - - some of - - what are really beautiful
9 homes there restored to the original splendor and
10 maintained , you know . We really strongly support
11 the historic district , the Elgin National Watch
12 historic district .
13 MR . DOSCHER : Very good . Thank you .
14 The next name is I believe Dave
15 Kilchenman .
16 MR . KILCHENMAN : That ' s me . All I can see I ' m
17 probably in the minority here , because I ' m - - I ' m
18 opposed to the district .
19 If you think about what it ' s going to do
20 to the property owners in the area - - I ' ve got a
21 property at 531 Wellington . I ' d love to be able
22 to put vinyl siding on my home . You know, it
23 would make it look much better than what we have
24 now .
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1 And I think that we need to be flexible ,
2 make money available from the city to make
3 improvements , but I don ' t think that additional
4 ordinances , additional permits and more
5 bureaucracy is needed .
6 Well , I ' ve got a couple of backers ,
7 anyways .
8 MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE : Not many .
9 MR . KILCHENMAN : I ' ve heard what some of the
10 people said, and maybe they' re in a different
11 area . The area my property is on , we ' re talking
12 working- class homes with working- class people . ,
13 We ' re talking about people that have to
14 scrape together enough money to afford a down
15 payment on a $60 , 000 or a $70 , 000 home .
16 These are not elegant Victorian mansions
17 that need to be preserved . These are small
18 homes . I mean , these are three -bedroom homes
19 that , you know, have a basement and maybe some
20 siding on the outside .
21 And these folks are not going to have the
22 money to be able to spend to do the things that
23 they' re being asked to do on this .
24 If I asked the group up here , I ' m
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1 guessing many of you have aluminum or vinyl
2 siding . You ' re preservation people ; maybe you'
3 don ' t .
4 But if I asked the City Council people ,
5 many of them have aluminum or vinyl siding on
6 their home . Why can ' t I put that kind of siding
7 on my home?
8 Now , I ' m willing to work with anybody to
9 make it look as historical as possible , but I
10 think I ought to be able to have the flexibility
11 to improve my home and to make it look nice .
12 You know , we ' re talking about a cost ,
13 too .
14 I understand - - maybe the gentleman from
15 the City can address : Will there be a cost for
16 the permit ?
17 MR . SAHER : No .
18 MR . KILCHENMAN : It will be free ?
19 MR . SAHER : It will be free . -
20 MR . KILCHENMAN : But there will be a delay in
21 getting the permit .
22 In addition , there may be additional cost
23 involved in making the improvements needed in
24 order to make the property historically
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1 significant .
2 MR . SAHER : If you ' d like , I can answer all of
3 your questions after the hearing .
4 MR . KILCHENMAN : Sure , okay .
5 - But my feeling again is for working- class
6 people , these are not fancy Victorian homes ; these
7 are just normal homes . And we shouldn ' t have to
8 go through this type of a situation .
9 If people in the area would like to have
10 their homes historical , fine . I mean , let them go
11 . ahead and designate their home as a historical
12 home . They can do whatever they want . You know ,
13 I ' m- sure the people from the City will assist them
14 in that . And their home can be historical .
15 But again I don ' t see why I as an owner
16 should have to go through that additional
17 bureaucracy and potential cost in order to make
18 these improvements . •
19 I ' ve talked to some realtors in the area
20 when I first purchased the home . And I could be
21 totally off base , but I ' m going to give my opinion
22 on this . They told me a home in a historic
23 district traditionally has a lower resale value
24 than a home outside the area and that homes in
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1 historical districts can be more difficult to
2 sell , primarily because , again , the additional
3 bureaucracy and the additional requirements that
4 would be invoked on that property if someone
5 wanted to improve it .
6 And , lastly, I think that again , if - - if
7 someone wants to make their home historical ,
8 that ' s fine . But I don ' t think it ' s fair for them
9 to impose upon the rest of us these requirements . _
10 I ' ve talked to some of my neighbors . All
11 of my neighbors are opposed to this that I ' ve
12 talked to down on Wellington .
13 I have another property on Raymond . I
14 talked to the people across the street and people
15 next to me . And again those people were opposed
16 to it , too .
17 I think that if we ' re going to make
18 changes for the public good , I think the best
19 thing to do is to make those changes on an
20 individual basis , make more money available , more
21 improvements in the area . But I don ' t think a
22 historic district is needed .
23 I don ' t think that these homes are such
24 that we need to preserve them for the public good
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1 in the City of Elgin . That ' s my opinion for what
2 it ' s worth .
3 MR . DOSCHER : Excuse me . Mr . - -
4 MR . KILCHENMAN : I ' ve got two properties .
5 MR . DOSCHER : I don ' t recall if when you
6 started speaking if you stated your home address
7 or not .
8 MR . KILCHENMAN : Yes . I ' m at 825 Acorn Drive
9 in Dundee Township . These are two investment
10 properties that I have .
11 And I am a terrible person for providing
12 housing for rental people. in the City of Elgin .
13 Thank you .
14 MR . DOSCHER : The next name on the list is
15 Patricia Alvarado .
16 Could you please state your home
17 address?
18 MS . ALVARADO : 556 Wellington in Elgin .
19 I ' m not against historic if they want ,
20 people wants to have their house historic . I am
21 against being forced to whenever I don ' t want
22 mine - - excuse me . I ' m a little nervous . I have
23 never spoke in front of people before .
24 But me and my husband bought this home
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1 six years ago . It ' s our first home . My husband
2 goes to work all the time . When he' s running a
3 high fever , he doesn ' t miss work .
4 We ' ve done the work ourself . We built
5 our garage ourself . We ' ve done it we ' ve made a
6 lot of improvements .
7 We had nothing but weeds in the
8 backyard . It took us a year and a half with our
9 hands bleeding to clean it , to clean that backyard
10 up .
11 We ' re just middle - class people . We
12 don ' t - - we ' re not against the historic district ,
13 but I don ' t want an area so we can ' t have a dream
14 of having aluminum siding , yes , cheap aluminum
15 siding that my neighbor has next door to me . And
16 the house looks very pretty .
17 My other neighbors down the street
18 already have aluminum siding . It looks very nice .
19 I ' m trying to improve my home . I - - I
20 haven ' t - - I wasn ' t borned here , but I ' ve lived
21 here 20 - - 28 years . And I love Elgin , but I ' m
22 against being forced into this .
23 I ' m trying to make our home nice . We ' re
24 halfway there . We ' ve got halfway to go .
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1 And I want aluminum siding . We ' ve got a
2 permit .
3 We enclosed our front porch . We have
4 aluminum siding on it . I went down to get the
5 permit to finish the house , which we can ' t get .
6 They say that we ' re already in the historic
7 district .
8 Well , I don ' t think that this is right .
9 If it hasn ' t went through , why am I not allowed to
10 get a permit if we haven ' t even voted on it yet ?
11 I ' m not against - - I ' m not here to fight
12 with anybody, my neighbors or anybody that wants
13 historic . I don ' t want it . I want to fix my
14 house the way I want to .
15 I ' m not a rich person . If I was , I ' d go
16 buy a new home . But I work very hard , and my
17 husband works very hard to improve our home .
18 Please , let us finish our dream . We have a
19 dream .
20 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you for your comments .
21 The next name on the list is Stephen
22 House .
23 MR . HOUSE : Good evening . Steve House , 536
24 Raymond , 531 Raymond .
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1 Yes , I rent one house out and own the
2 other . I ' ve lived in this neighborhood 20 years .
3 I. don ' t - - I put my efforts and my money into that
4 house plenty, and I don ' t have any dumps .
5 But everybody keeps saying this is
6 deteriorating . This neighborhood deteriorated in
7 the ' 60 ' s when they closed the factory and took
8 the economic life out of the community . It went
9 downhill then , because everybody ' s jobs went
10 away .
11 So in the ' 70 ' s and the ' 80 ' s and right
12 now through the ' 90 ' s everybody is building up .
13 This nice lady over here , she said : How
14 much effort do you put into your house . Did you
15 put that in there because your neighbors told you
16 you had to , or because you wanted? You put it in
17 the same I did , because I wanted it .
18 I built my nest . I didn ' t build
19 something my neighbors should be proud to have in .
20 their neighborhood . Fooey on my neighbors . They
21 . have no voice in my house , and yet they ' re going
22 to sit here and draw me 138 pages of laws to tell
23 me what I' ve got to do with my house .
24 If I want aluminum siding , I have to go
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1 through them . I have a czar down here to tell me
2 whether or not I ' ll have to put another permit
3 in . No .
4 This is all a bunch of malarkey . We
5 don ' t need this kind of thing . Just leave people
6 alone .
7 They' re going to bring it up . Even 528
8 Raymond is looking better . But even that ' s not
9 because of the district . It ' s just the City is
10. finally on the guy' s butt .
11 And I live across the street from that
12 house and have lived next to it for year . It ' s
13 been a mess . It ' s better now than it ' s ever been ,
14 but it ' s still . a mess . It ' s not because there ' s a
15 historic district that ' s going to come in . It ' s
16 because the guy has got a mess .
17' I ' m sorry . I don ' t know what else I want
18 to say .
19 I don ' t like all these rules . We don ' t
20 need a lot of - - I don ' t want my neighbors telling
21 me and I don ' t want to tell them what to do .
22 If I want whatever - - ' you know , if I want
23 green siding made out of cheese , as long as it
24 doesn ' t deteriorate , then I ' ll have that . But ,
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1 you know , this 138 pages of extra laws and rules ,
2 that just isn ' t very nice . I don ' t believe my
3 neighbors should do that to me .
4 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you for your comments .
5 By the way , we do appreciate your
6 comments whether they are in favor of a proposal
7 or whether they ' re against it . We appreciate
8 people ' s interest , concern and what their opinions
9 are .
10 The next name on the list is Dawn
11 Darling .
12 MS . DARLING : Hi . Dawn Darling , 411 Bowen
13 Court .
14 I ' m also a working - - a working- class
15 family . My - - it ' s a single - income family . And
16 we have also worked very hard on our property to
17 keep it up to a decent standard of living .
18 I love old buildings , and I just think
19 it ' s a shame what ' s happening on our side of town
20 with people ripping off porches and just doing
21 nothing to their houses , to let them fall apart .
22 I am definitely for the historical
23 district , and I really hope that it gets
24 approved .
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1 Thanks .
2 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
3 The next name on the list is Tim
4 Williams .
5 MR . WILLIAMS : Hi . My name is Tim Williams .
6 I live at 591, Kirk Avenue .
7 I am speaking here tonight to behalf of
8 the Southeast Elgin Neighbors . I ' m president of
9 the organization . And you all received a letter
10 from me to support the historic district .
11 And I just wanted to reiterate that again
12 this evening , that our group , the Southeast Elgin
13 Neighbors , have had several meetings , discussed
14 this project , discussed the benefits of the
15 district to the area . And it was unanimously
16 voted on that we would support this . We feel it ' s
17 good for the area , and I just wanted to once again
18 reiterate that .
19 Thank you .
20 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
21 The next name on the list is Jerry
22 Fogelman .
23 MR . FOGELMAN : My name is Jerry Fogelman . I
24 live in Oak Lawn , Illinois . You asked for my
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1 residence .
2 I ' m here as an attorney on behalf of the
3 owner at 600 Villa . It ' s Lovellton Academy .
4 Is there any way we can actually ask
5 questions besides just giving statements ? I ' ve
6 just got a couple of quick questions .
7 MR . DOSCHER : Generally the public hearing
8 process is designed for just receiving
9 information . There have been informational
10 meetings throughout the different neighborhoods
11 for individual questions .
12 MR . FOGELMAN : Well , simply my question was
13 geared on apparently there was a prior draft of
14 the map that excluded the Lovellton Academy on 600
15 Villa , and now it seems to be included . And I was
16 just wondering how these lines are being drawn and
17 why they ' re being drawn like that , if anyone can
18 answer that .
19 MR . DOSCHER : I ' m not sure if there is - -
20 Sarosh?
21 MR . SAHER : Lovellton was included at the
22 request of the nominators . And that would be the
23 Southeast Elgin Neighbors , Brigid Trimble and
24 Terry Wawrzyniak who made the nomination to the
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1 Elgin Heritage Commission .
2 And the reason for that was because
3 Lovellton being a historical - - an architecturally
4 significant structure warranted inclusion within
5 the historic district in order to help continue to
6 maintain and preserve its architectural and
7 historical significance .
8 And by coming under the veil of
9 protection , its character can continue to be
10 maintained in a way where changes could not be
' 11 made to the exterior of the building in a way. to
12 compromise that integrity and character . So that
13 was the reason why it was included .
14 MR . FOGELMAN : Thank you..
15 It just looks like the whole line was
16 drawn - - i.t had originally been right down the
17 middle of Villa Street and then cutting south .
18 And then it was extended over to include all these
19 homes , not just that . And I was just a little
20 curious .
21 . I understand changes happen ; people have
22 different rationales for doing things . But it
23 just seemed to me originally we were not a part of
24 ' it ; now we are a part of it .
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1 I was just wondering - - it ' s a serious
2 procedure here , and I just hope all the steps are
3 being followed and to make_ sure everyone is really
4 analyzing this .
• 5 The very significant buildings , has
6 anyone sat down on a map to see where these are
7 and see if this area is maybe a little bigger than
8 it needs to be , for example ?
9 And I just call that to the board ' s
10 attention , to take that into consideration .
11 In any event , just one other question :
12 If one wanted to put up just a basketball hoop on
13 their yard or their garage , is that something that
14 would have to go through - -
15 MR . SAHER : No .
16 MR . FOGELMAN : That they can do on their own ,
17 so they still have some freedom .
18 Well , I don ' t think my client has the.
19 same passion that he brings - - this is like a
20 business that he operates there as opposed to
21 these personal homeowners .
22 Although it ' s nice that he can afford .a
23 lawyer to come here and speak, for him, it ' s
24 unfortunate if some of these people are going to
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1 have to hire a lawyer if they want to do more
2 involved things . And I think there ' s this extra
3 line of difficulty that they might encounter to
4 try to accomplish things .
5 I think my client ' s position is : It
6 sounds like a nice idea . If you can shave off
7 that corner and leave Lovellton out of it , we ' d
8 appreciate that . If you feel it must be included,
9 we have to object to. it .
10 Lovellton is a nice academy . It ' s very
11 well maintained inside and out , and we feel we can
12 do a good enough job .
13 And , with all due respect , I don ' t think
14 we need government in this area . We pay enough in
15 taxes . We answer to government for zoning and
16 other reasons . And to have , also , one more level
17 of government intrusion , I think we maintain
18 things on our own well enough , and respectfully
19 disagree with this historic designation .
20 Thank you .
21 MR . DOSCHER: Thank you for your comment .
22 MR . FOGELMAN : Thank you .
23 MR . DOSCHER : The next name on the list is - -
24 I ' m not sure - - Ina Dews , perhaps .
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1 MS . DEWS : Yes . But I would like to be last ,
2 please .
3 MR . DOSCHER : Well , generally we have a list
4 that we have , and we ' ve already stated that we
5 would be calling people in the order that they
6 were signed up , simply that many people would
7 simply like to be first or last .
8 MS . DEWS : No . Because I was - - the reason
9 why I asked that because I was going to - - taking
10 a survey here along with this , and I wanted to
11 include this in my presentation .
12 I ' m Ina Dews , Times Square Apartments .
13 The first thing I ' d like to ask , who
14 scoped this area out , why Times Square was not
15 included . It is one of the major points . It was
16 where the watch factory was .
17 The next thing I ' m also here is for the
18 fact , as I sit and I listen to the people who are
19. coming and presenting and saying they would like
20 it , it ' s in the upper area , past St . Charles ,
21 Liberty Street , all around in that area , and the
22 more affluent area up in there .
23 Why would the people who are close to
24 lower Wellington and Wellington , Raymond Street , a
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1 lot of the black areas - - I know I see you sent
2 letters . I see you sent forms . They told me they
3 received cards , and they did return them back . I
4 don ' t know what the count was . I was hoping it
5 would be given tonight .
6 These are the people in and around the
7 lower areas to the watch tower or to where the
8 watch factory was is the ones who don ' t have the
9 money . Some of them actually don ' t know how to go
10 about getting the means .
11 And it would be their homes that would be
12 most affected where they have deteriorated or
13 where they need effort or who have not been able
14 to keep them up because of the financial stress
15 most of these people are in . They are your lower
16 income , blue - collar workers .
17 Is this a plan to have them here? And
18 what will happen to them if they cannot afford to
19 keep their places up .
20 These are questions that I would like to
21 see answered before this is finally committed to
22 the City - - to the City .
23 Because not only do these - - these people
24 are very important in this community . They have
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1 lived here . They moved in here in the ' 60 ' s .
2 Primarily this area from the very
3 beginning was sort of the poor area , even around
4 the watch factory . They were watch workers , but
5 they were not the highly paid workers . They were
6 the few of the intimate of highly paid workers
7 there .
8 Also , there is one section that I know
9 $ 500 ,•000 has been given to be taken care of ,
10 because it ' s right behind Grand Victoria . Grand
11 Victoria gave the neighborhood housing $500 , 000 to
12 take care of that area . And you have included - -
13 which is wonderful , but where will the money come
14 from to assist these people ?
15 And with all of your restrictions , is
16 this a way of moving them out into other areas or
17 ' what ?
18 I really think we need to go further than
19 just making a nice historical area for some people
20 that presently live there , to be able to say they
21 live there . And when they can ' t sell their house ,
22 they decide to make a historical area .
23 I think it should be addressed . You do
24 have more people , blue - collar working , living in
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1 this area , than any of the other areas that became
2 a historical . district . And I think you really
3 need to consider : Are these people really
4 financially able to do all of the things that you
5 are requesting of them to do?
6 They are important people to Elgin .
7 Elgin is supposed to be very diverse not only in
8 income , segment of people , ethic group . And we ' re
9 not considered in this at all . •
10 Thank you .
11 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you for your comments .
12 And we will be - - we will be considering
13 all those issues .
14 The next name on the list is Stuart
15 Wasilowski .
16 MR . WASILOWSKI : My name is Stuart
17 Wasilowski . Last name is W-a- s - i - l -o-w- s -k- i . I
18 am the executive director of Neighborhood Housing
19 Services . I also own a home at 721 Brook Street .
20 And I , like many of you , are nervous . I
21 will give this a try and do my best .
22 Neighborhood Housing Services is an Elgin
23 community development organization . And we have
24 been working since 1981 to restore pride and
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1 stabilize neighborhoods throughout the community .
2 In 1996 NHS began work across the
3 community . And much of the work we do is in -
4 the - - in the allocation of resource , money , to
5 neighborhoods .
6 And in the past - - well , I ' ve been at
7 this - - at this work for almost nine years now .
8 And we have had - - we have seen very little
9 investment , if you will , and have been very - -
10 it ' s been a very difficult market for us to
11 penetrate . We just don ' t see the kind of
12 investment that we see in other neighborhoods .
13 And much of the work that we do is about
14 creating neighborhoods of choice , neighborhoods
15 where people choose to live , where people choose
16 to invest , that is , make improvements and where
17 people choose to stay instead of choosing to
18 leave .
19 And I think so much of the work that we
20 have done and so much of the work that - - the
21 progress that historic districts make is - - helps
22 to create this neighborhood of choice .
23 I brought an article from an excerpt in
24 Historic Preservation and Economics , because so
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1 much of the work of historic preservation is very
2 economically driven .
3 And this gentleman is Donovan Rypkema ,
4 R-y-p-k- e -m- a , and he ' s a real estate and economic
5 development consultant in the Washington , D . C . ,
6 area and has studied historic preservation
7 throughout the country . And I ' m just going to
8 steal a few of his words , if you will .
9 The historic preservation is about
10 restoring - - is not about restoring buildings ;
11 it ' s about restoring communities . And that
12 includes restoring the economic value of
13 communities .
14 He writes .: What mayor of a community of
15 any size doesn ' t struggle with how to get
16 middle - class taxpayers to move back to the city?
17 But think for a minute where the - - where there
18 have been pockets of back-to-the - city migration :
19 Columbus , St . Paul , Chicago , Louisville , Boston ,
20 New York , DesMoines , Seattle , Oakland .
21 It has not been back to the city in
22 general ; it ha's - - in every instance it has been
23 back to historic neighborhoods within the city .
24 This is what will bring back this
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1 neighborhood . This is an economic strategy . This
2 will make you money . This will bring this
3 neighborhood back .
4 In discussions with some of the residents
5 of the neighborhood - - and we ' ve been working to
6 reduce density in the neighborhood . Because based
7 on the planning department study , this is a major
8 hurdle for neighborhoods to overcome when
9 neighborhoods are too dense .
10 And in this neighborhood that we ' re
11 talking about in this proposed historic district
12 there are nearly a thousand rental units in this
13 neighborhood . Nearly 10 percent of all rental
14 units in the community exist in this neighborhood .
15 The fact that we have made hundreds ,
16 maybe thousands of home improvement loans in this
17 community with very few of them made in this
18 neighborhood may be due to our fault and inability
19 to market because of our limited budget , but I
20 would submit to you that it ' s because of a whole
21 atmosphere of disinvestment in this neighborhood .
22 The historic district will help that .
23 I think when we create neighborhoods of
24 choice , we create reinvestment opportunities .
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1 I want to steal some •more of his - -
2 Mr . Rypkema ' s comments . And he speaks to some of
3 those folks that are talking about property
4 rights .
5 There' s another bit of economic silliness
6 we are barraged with , that historic districts
7 reduce property values .
8 Peter mentioned the new book . In
9 researching the book , I think I found every
10 published study ever done on the economic impact
11 of historic districts . In some instances values
12 within districts appreciated at a rate far faster
13 than the rest of the community . In some studies
14 districting led to significant new investment . In
15 some cases historic districts were protected from
16 the wide volatile swings in property values .
17 And he writes : But not in one instance ,
18 zero , zilch, zip , not a single study found that
19 historic districts caused a decline in property
20 values , not one . It ' s time to put that
21 politically motivated nonsense to rest for good .
22 A good share of these claims , by the way,
23 come from so- called property rights movements .
24 Among their arguments is that land use controls
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1 • discourage long- term economic development .
2 In fact , nothing could be further from
3 the truth . Today, quality of life is the single
4 most significant variable in economic
5 development .
6 And we ' ve seen this time and time again_
7 in articles written in our local newspapers , that
8 quality of life is what it ' s all about . That ' s
9. what will bring back neighborhoods . That ' s what
10 will bring back this community .
11 I don ' t want to take a lot of time .
12 And Miss Dews alluded to the fact that
13 the Grand Victoria bet a half a million dollars on
14 this neighborhood , a half a million dollars that
15 this neighborhood will come back .
16 I believe this historic district is
17 critical to the success of this neighborhood . I
18 think it ' s a critical to the ability for this
19 neighborhood to respond . I think it ' s absolutely
20 essential for this community to take on this
21 opportunity .
22 And I just want to steal one more
23 . comment , if you will . And this is from Harvard
24 economist Kenneth Galbreth (phonetic ) . And he
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1 writes - - and I have to give credit to a member of
2 the commission , and he knows who he is . But he - -
3 he speaks to historic preservation as an education
4 process . And I give him a lot of credit for his
5 stewardship of historic districts in the
6 community , and this speaks directly to him and to
7 all of you .
8 Mr . Galbreth, Harvard economist writes :
9 The preservation movement has one great
10 curiosity : There is never retrospectively
11 controversy or regret . Preservationists are the
12 only people in the world who are invariably
13 confirmed in their wisdom after the fact .
14 And I ' d like to make this article by
15 Mr . Rypkema part of the public record .
16 I also have. a written letter from Steve
17 Rosborough , a broker-owner of Summit Realtors .
18 I ' ll deliver that to the court reporter as a
19 matter of public record .
20 He is also a third-generation Elginite
21 and is in support of this district .
22 And I thank the commission .
23 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you , Stuart .
24 The next name on the list is John L .
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1 Dove .
2 MR . DOVE : I ' m going to give the gentleman
3 with the children something else to laugh about ,
4 because I , too , own property in this area . I
5 happen to be on May Street . -
. 6 I came into Elgin back in 1952 . And I
7 lived on Raymond Street and later on Wellington .
8 As time went on , I was able to move into a larger
9 area , and I am now living outside the city of
10 Elgin .
11 But I did live on Wellington for 13
12 years . But I do find that Elgin has not changed
13 all this much .
14 When I came into Elgin , there was a
15 strong feeling that anybody that wasn ' t born here
16 three generations ago didn ' t belong . And I find
17 again that feeling still is alive and well in this
18 community ..
19 First of all , what is the purpose of a
20 historical district ? I have never found anybody
21 yet except a bunch of people who don ' t live there
22 trying to tell the people who do how to run their
23 lives .
24 How many of the people here have ever
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1 worked at the watch factory?. How many has ever
2 known anybody that did work there?
3 Okay . Where are they now? Most. of them
4 are dead . And most of the people in the
5 . neighborhood don ' t - - wouldn ' t even know what the
6 watch - - if they saw a picture of the watch ,
7 factory would know what it is .
8 . And what about the watch factory?
9 Everybody - - I heard the gentleman talking about
10 how - - what all it does . He overlooked a couple
11 little details .
12 One of those was that the watch factory
13 as the cornerstone of the employment in the area
14 was able to keep wages at a low level that is
15 still a problem today .
16 How come? How were they able to do
17 this ? Very simple . It was a little organization
18 called the Fox Valley Manufacturing Association
19 that if you worked at the watch factory, you
20 couldn ' t get another job in Elgin . I know this
.21 from personal experience .
22 I ' ve been around a little bit longer than
23 some of you people in this area , and I ' ve seen
24 these things happen .
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1 Now, I ' m not opposed to historical
2 districts or as commonly known hysterical
3 districts . But I am opposed to violations of the
4 constitutional rights .
5 And I don ' t believe - - and I don ' t
6 believe that there is anybody in this building , in
7 this town or anywhere in this country can tell me
8 that if I want to put aluminum siding on my house
9 to protect it , that they have the right or the.
10 authority to do it .
11 And I know they can ' t back it up . Not in
12 my case , at least .
13 This area that is so - called the area
14 that ' s under this here , why was it drawn at May
15 Street ? Anyone that lived in the area during the
16 watch factory days knows that the people all the
17 way up to Hammond Avenue , the city limits of
18 Elgin , worked at the watch factory , because it was
19 still in walking distance . And they all worked
20 there .
21 Mr . Collingbourne used to live up on
22 Watch Street . He owned a lot of the houses and
23 provided homes . He would - - probably if he were
24 alive today , some of these people would want to
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1 reports , you ' ll find that this area is pretty
2 well - - fairly stable . It ' s not a Sunday school .
3 It ' s not a church . But the people living there
4 are homeowners - - are workers . They work for a
5 living . They support their children , and most of
6 them try to do what ' s right .
7 And I don ' t think that anybody has the
8 right to tell them that just because you don ' t
9 speak good English or maybe your color isn ' t right
10 or you don ' t wear a white shirt and necktie to
11 work that you can ' t live in this town .
12 It was that way , I know , 25 50 years
13 ago that if you weren ' t born here , you didn ' t
14 belong . And , as I say , that feeling I find is
15 still very strong in the people who try to run
16 this town .
17 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you for your comments ,
18 Mr . Dove .
19 I would like to provide comment , though ,
20 regarding your statement about swimming pools ,
21 decks and clothes lines , you know , being something
22 that is completely impossible within this
23 regulation . There are provisions within the
24 design guide document that provide for the
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1 possibility of swimming pools , decks and clothes
2 lines . So I would just like to dissuade your
• 3 concern of that .
4 MR . DOVE : If it pleases the powers that be .
5 MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE : Can you put any
6 swimming pool up , any clothes line , any deck?
7 MR . DOSCHER : I don ' t want to get into
8 detailed discussion . That ' s a specific issue , but
9 there are provisions for it .
10 The next name on the list is Dan T .
11 Palmer .
12 MR . PALMER : My name is Daniel T . Palmer . I
13 live at 562 Wellington .
14 And everybody here has got very good
15 points for and against . And they' ve pretty much
16 said everything that I want to say .
17 I ' m against it . And the reason is I
18 . believe it infringes on people ' s rights to be • who
19 they are , individuals in their individual home .
20 No one should ever go onto someone else ' s
21 property they do not pay anything for or
22 contribute to and express and demand to change
23 their life - style to suit their own feelings or
24 needs . It ' s in our constitution . It ' s called
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1 liberty and freedom . There ' s a flag there that
2 represents that .
3 I went to Vietnam , and I fought
4 communism . It was a stupid war , communism,
5 stupid . It proved it , because they lost the cold
6 war .
7 But I ' ve got news for you . You better
8 wake up and smell the coffee . It ' s in this room .
9 If you think I ' m kidding , I ' m not . And
10 we are a minority . There ' s a silent majority that
11 is not here .
12 I do not see Hispanics here , and I ' d like
13 to know why . Why, because they weren ' t informed
14 the correct way . And I believe maybe there could
15 be a conspiracy going on here .
16 And you don ' t need a lawyer to defend the
17 silent majority . I can go to the federal
18 government , and I can go to the state . Because I
19 already pay the taxes for those people to defend
20 my rights .
21 And that ' s all I have to say .
22 Thank you .
23 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
24 That ' s all the names that I have on this
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1 particular list .
2 Is there anyone else who would like to
3 provide a comment who hasn ' t signed up- on that
4 sheet there?
5 The first name I believe is Rosie Embry .
6 MS . EMBRY : Good afternoon . I ' m Rosie Embry,
7 and I own a home at 266 Lexington Place .
8 And my home is not a historic home . I ' m
9 really against the historic area . Because my
10 house was built in 1964 , and I think I should have
11 the right after I pay for my house to do whatever
12 I want and, you know , make it the way that I want
13 to live in it .
14 For 22 years I tried to get a street
15 light . I didn ' t even have a street light in my
16 area . I had floodlights , and the city made me
17 take the flood lights down . •
18 We didn' t get street lights until the
19 apartment - - we had one apartment on my street ,
• 20 and, then they had drug problems . And right away
21 they put street lights .
22 For 22 years I tried to get. street
23 lights .
24 I pay over $2 , 000 a year for taxes on my
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1 property, and I think I should have the right to
2 „ make it the way that I want to make it .
3 And I ' m a single - - I ' m a single lady .
4 And I ' m paying for my home , and it ' s almost paid
5 for . And I have a vision to do different things
6 with my home .
7 And I ' m really against the historic
8 district .
9 MR . DOSCHER : Okay . The next name on the list
10 is Mary Hill .
11 MS . HILL : I am Mary M . Hill . I live at 489
12 Mary Place .
13 This is in the first and original Elgin
14 historic district . ' I feel privileged to be living
15 in what I refer to as a living museum . I refer to
16 the Spring-Douglas historic district also as a
• 17 living museum .
1.8 I have lived there for almost 11 years .
19 No one has forced me to do anything in there , the
20 district .
21 I put a new porch on my house , because I
22 wanted to as a responsible homeowner . I painted
23 my house , because I wanted to as a responsible
24 homeowner .
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1 My house is not historically accurate .
2 My house is not historically correct .
3 In the nomination for the historic
4 district it is not considered a significant home .
5 It is a contributing home . It ' s not a fancy
6 Victorian mansion .
7 I know of many people who do live in old
8 houses . Nobody has forced them to do anything
9 that they don ' t want to do . They do things
10 because they are responsible homeowners , and do
11 things because they want to act as responsible
12 citizens .
13 The second part of my comment is that
14 a paid hobby I have an old house research business
15 that I run . And I have always said that when I do
16 old house research , that I have discovered that
17 every house tells a story .
18 I have researched over 40 houses in the
19 City of Elgin and are working on four more .
20 I think this is wonderful . I applaud the
21 people who have participated in this nomination,
22 for their intelligence and vision and foresight to
23 try to get this huge story- telling area added to
24 the wonderful fabric of Elgin and to really
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1 improve the texture of the city .
2 I ' ve seen the. Elgin historic district
3 . that I live in stabilize and improve , and I see
4 the same thing happening in Spring-Douglas . And I
5 can guarantee that over time this will happen
6 should this become a historic district , also .
7 And .I look forward if this does become a
8 historic district to be able to uncover a story
9 house by house in that district , also .
10 Thank you .
11 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
12 The next name on the list is Brent and
. 13 Francie Kaufman .
14 MR . KAUFMAN : My name is Brent Kaufman . I
15 live at 363 St . Charles Street .
16 I just wanted to say : My grandfather
17 built the house in the late 1800 ' s . My children
18 are going to be the fifth generation to live in
19 that home . We ' re very much for the historic
20 district .
21 The house is not a huge mansion , but it
22 has historic significance and sentimental value .
23 And I think a lot of properties would
24 benefit from this type of regulation . I don ' t - -
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1 I think everybody thinks that this is going to
2 block changes or not allow you to do what you want
3 with your property . And I ' ve read the documents .
4 I see it just as another step to make people be
5 thoughtful about what they do with their
6 property .
7 I ' d like to say that I ' m in favor of
8 this , my family is .
9 Thanks .
10 MR . DOSCHER : The next name on the list is
11 Marie Johnson .
12 MS . JOHNSON : My name is Marie Johnson . I
13 live at 618 St . Charles Street .
14 We ' ve been homeowners for 20 years in
15 that neighborhood . We come from - - how do I put
16 this? We have Hispanic roots . My grandparents
17 are from Mexico . We ' ve been here - - I believe
18 that would include me as being the third
19 generation , always worked very hard for everything
20 we ' ve had and always taken very good pride in
21 where we ' ve lived .
22 The southeast side of town has always
23 been ever since I was a kid the forgotten
24 neighborhood , the place where you could go to
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1 Burns Pharmacy to get a malt , but then you wanted
2 to come home ; you didn ' t want to stick around .
3 We ' ve been there now for 20 years . I ' m
4 reminded of this history when I go to and from
5 work when I go over the railroad tracks every day
6 that are coming through St . Charles Street .
7 That ' s - - it ' s a nuisance , and I understand it ' s
8 not going to be repaired any time soon , but it
9 still reminds me that there was some history
10 there. There ' s so much down at that end of town .
11 I think the historic district will be a
12 good thing . It will restore neighborhood pride .
13 I have not read the manual , all 138 pages , or
14 whatever it is , and I ' m taking a little bit of
15 risk by doing this . But I think the risk is worth
16 it . It will improve our neighborhoods . This will
17 bring some pride back to the neighborhoods .
18 It doesn ' t mean you have to invest
19 thousands of thousands of dollars into your home
20 to bring it up to just to make it look nice .
21 Our home is a simple home . From what
22 I ' ve known , it may be 80 some odd years old . It ' s
23 nothing fancy . But it ' s my home , and I love it .
24 And I want to stay there and raise my
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1 grandchildren there .
2 Thank you .
3 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
4 The next name on the list is James Cart ,
5 James Cart .
6 MR . CARTER : My name is James Carter ,_ and I
7 live at 407 South Liberty Street . I had said I
8 don ' t want to speak , but inasmuch as I ' m here , I ' m
9 going to say what ' s on my mind .
10 I ' ve had mixed feelings about the
11 historical district . I ' ve lived in my home for
12 the last 12 years . I ' ve invested about. $ 12 , 000
13 into my home . I am going to retire next year , and
14 I am going to be selling .
15 Some of the people that are - - live close
16 to me are really the people that has talked to me
17 about a historical district . And again , not to be
18 repetitious , I ' ve had mixed feelings .
19 Yes , I do take pride in my home , but I
20 still have the deep seated feeling - - and someone
21 asked a little while ago - - there are a lot of
22 Mexican Americans living in the neighborhood , and
23 I don ' t see any of them represented here .
24 I - - I just have this feeling that - - I
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1 don ' t quite understand this historical district
2 thing . I know we all take pride in our
3 neighborhoods . I know we all take pride in our
4 homes .
5 But again , as that lady said, what - -
6 what about the people that can ' t afford to put
7 money into the houses? I don ' t want to be
8 negative , but yet , on the other hand, I - - I ' m
9 worried about everyone in the neighborhood .
10 I would like to see a neighborhood that
11 we could all get along as people , that we would
12 get an organization maybe that would - - we could
13 sit ; we could talk ; we could make plans ; we could
14 get rid of the gangs together .
15 But I don ' t in all honesty - - and I may
16 disappoint some people - - I don ' t in all honesty
17 understand the value of a historical district .
18 That ' s all I have to say .
19 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you .
20 The last name that I have on this list is
21 John Walden .
22. THE WITNESS : My name is John Walden . I live
23 at 446 Sherman . Prior to that I actually lived at
24 419 Villa Street .
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1 I apologize for any distraction my
2 children may have caused . Unfortunately ,
3 sometimes they' re a part of the neighborhood .
4 And I have several comments . And I
5 originally had signed in , and I said no , but some
6 of the things that were stated just infuriated me
7 to no end .
8 One comment made - - one gentleman made a
9 comment that I laughed . Well , you ' re right . That
10 was inappropriate . I apologize .
11 I should be pitying those individuals
12 that buy homes in our neighborhoods .
13 You talk about landlords who want to run
14 out of the - - run out of the multiple - - you talk
15 about homeowners who want to run the landlords out
16 of the neighborhoods . We do not want to run the
17 landlords out of the neighborhoods .
18 Multiple family homes , as _ 419 that I
19 lived in previously was , are a legitimate part of
20 this neighborhood . The problem is that they ' re
21 not being kept up to code .
22 So the question_ becomes : How do we keep
23 these things up to code ? One of the ways to do
24 it - - one of the ways that gives us a little bit
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1 And it ' s atrocious to say just because
2 the representation isn ' t here - - everyone was
3 given the opportunity . This is the first meeting
4 I ' ve attended , simply because I have twins . Twins
5 are a handful .
6 Now, I made the effort . Granted , they
7 did distract things . I apologize for that . But I
8 made the effort . And that effort is what needs to
9 be done in this neighborhood , and that ' s what this
10 historic district is all about .
11 Thank you .
12 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you , Mr . Walden and
13 family .
14 Is there anyone else here in attendance
15 who would like to provide a comment who has not as
16 yet provided a comment ?
17 MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE : Could I ask a general
18 question?
19 MR . DOSCHER : Generally we do not , but what - - .
20 MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE : I just have a
21 question about on there it said all of lower
22 Wellington in the historic district . Why does it
23 stop at a certain number?
24 I have Dorothy ; I have Sandy ; there ' s
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1 Frank ; there ' s Derrick down the street from me .
2 Why don ' t they have a right to vote in this since
3 they ' re on the same street I ' m on?
4 MR . DOSCHER : I ' m not really certain of the
5 exact addresses and so forth . Generally the
6 boundaries are drawn for the purposes of the
7 integrity of architecture , for the age of
8 construction of series of buildings and so forth .
9 That ' s generally the process used to establish
10 boundaries .
11 Hearing no. more persons who wish to
12 provide comment , would anyone on the Heritage
13 Commission wish to provide any comment ?
14 MS . HILL : I just want wanted to say one thing
15 is that I - -
16 MR . DOSCHER : State your name for the court
17 reporter .
18 MS . HILL : I ' m Bev Hill , member of the
19 Heritage Commission . I live at 1245 Oak Hill
20 Drive in Elgin .
21 And I did indeed work at the watch
22 factory , and what ' s even more important : I ' m not
23 dead .
24 MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE : Did you get any
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1 radiation that they dumped out on the ground?
2 MS . HILL : No , sir , I didn ' t .
3 MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE : You ' re lucky .
4 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you , Bev .
5 Any other comments ?
6 MR . SANDOR : I ' m Tom Sandor , 619 Center
7 Street .
8 I ' ve been on the commission a little over
9 a year now and have learned a great deal about ,
10 what historic preservation is .
11 I also attended the Spring-Douglas
12 hearings prior to their - - to their designation .
13 And many of the same things that were said there
14 are being said here tonight .
15 Historic preservation ordinance deals
16 with the preservation of architecture . It doesn ' t
17 have very much to do with neighborhood pride . It
18 has - - it has very little to do
19 technically - - excuse me - - with neighborhood
20 pride . We don ' t cover those kinds of things . We
21 cover bricks and sticks .
22 And it ' s important , and if you look at
23 the districts that have already been formed , that
24 when there ' s enthusiasm for .the district , it
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1 becomes successful . If there is not that
2 enthusiasm for the district , no matter what kind
3 of regulation you put onto it , you ' re not going to
4 see the successes of the older , more established
5 districts .
6 When Dan helped set up the district , the
7 original district , it was a grass roots movement .
8 This in part is a grass roots movement .
9 I think it behooves us as a commission to
10 do a little bit more work in educating people as
11 to what historic preservation really means . It ' s
12 not social engineering . It ' s not a whole lot of
13 things that are emotional . It is very technical ,
14 bricks and sticks kinds of things .
15 With it comes the pride . With it comes
16 the unity .
17 The object is to draw a neighborhood
18 together under an umbrella of : We ' re going to
19 try to preserve what we have in our
20 neighborhood .
21 What I heard during this hearing was a
22 lot of the emotional reasons but absolutely none
23 of the technical reasons of why this should become
24 a district . That concerns me .
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1 I would like to hear a lot more about the
2 significance - - how you feel the significance of
3 the homes are .
4 Yes , it ' s going to be difficult for some
5 people ; it ' s going to be easy for others . But
6 we ' re going to try to make it , as we did with the
7 guidelines that a number of us on the commission
8 . worked on , to make it easy for people , make it so
9 that it becomes successful .
10 The last thing that this commission or
• 11 this city needs is to have a historic district
12 that fails . Because the first one that fails is
13 the last one that ' s ever designated .
14 We ' ve got to think long and hard and work
15 together . It ' s not landlord against homeowner ,
16 tenant against landlord . It ' s got to be a
17 combined effort .
18 And you ' ve got to all look at it from
19 other people ' s shoes . Put yourself in their
20 position for a •little while . Maybe we need to
21 step back from the emotion a little bit .
22 Thank you .
23 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you , Tom .
24 Would any other commissioners like to
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1 provide comment ?
2 MS . TRIMBLE : Brigid Trimble . I am the one
3 commission member who actually -lives in this
4 historic district , so I suppose I have a little
5 more vested than anyone. else that sits up here .
6 What I have seen in the past as I sat on
7 the commission and also helped the city to enforce
8 the preservation ordinance is that the community
9 pride does come with historic districts . And it ' s
10 something that goes a lot deeper than just a sign
11 on the top of a post at the corners .
12 This historic district as we propose it
13 for the Elgin National Watch Factory is going to
14 do something that the other districts have never
15 had the opportunity to do .
16 This historic district is making
17 significant and making very important the
18 blue - class person , the blue - collar person . This
19 is the first district that really represents who
20 lived and who made this town .
21 This town wasn ' t made by the bankers that
22 live in the big houses that are in. the original
23 historic district . This town wasn ' t made by the
24 people that plotted out the original lots in town ,
•
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1 the James T . Giffords .
2 This town was made by the people who
3 sweated out ungodly conditions at the Elgin
4 National Watch Factory and other places .
5 No one is saying that the watch factory
6 is this great thing that should be emulated for
7 all time . But the watch factory did put this town
8 on the map in a very real way . And that is why
9 the Elgin National Watch Factory historic district
10 is so important to this town .
11 The reasons for the boundaries were
12 actually drawn a . lot from the maps and as the
13 settlement patterns went , but we stopped at May
14 Street , because we were trying to get a manageable
15 district here . Actually the district line should
16 go all the way down to 20 .
17 We had a representative from the Illinois
18 State Historic Preservation Agency in town just
19 yesterday , I believe it was . She was driving
20 around in the proposed district with Sarosh and
21 said : You know what you have here ; you have a - -
22 you have adistrict that ' s eligible for the
23 national register . .
24 Does that mean more restrictions? No ,
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1 actually it doesn ' t . It does mean more prestige
2 and more pride for the neighborhood .
3 It ' s time for the people that live in the
4 blue - collar homes to say : Damn it , our homes are
5 important enough that they should be preserved .
6 We are a big piece of the history of this town ,
7 and we need to be represented .
8 We could have all the gold cost houses in
9 town and make them the most beautiful things in
10 the world. But what is that going to represent ?
11 Not the true Elgin .
12 The Elgin National Watch Factory with its
13 small workers ' cottages and its " indescript "
14 little houses on quite a few blocks is really what
15 represents this town . And that is why this
16 historic district is being proposed , because we
17 believe it ' s important to show the real picture of
18 Elgin .
19 Thank you .
20 MR . DOSCHER : Thank you , Brigid .
21 Any other commissioners who wish to
22 provide a comment this evening?
23 Hearing none - - we ' ve already closed the
24 opportunity for public to make comment .
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1 In closing I would like to provide just
2 some background on the steps that will take place
3 in the future following this public hearing .
4 Basically the Elgin Heritage Commission
5 will consider information and concerns from this
6 public hearing , from previous neighborhood
7 informational meetings and also from a property
8 owners ' survey that is currently being conducted
9 to gauge the sentiment of property owners within
10 the proposed historic district .
11 The Elgin Heritage Commission will hold a
12 meeting within the next 30 days following the
13 close of this public hearing to make a decision on
14 whether the nominated district meets the criteria
15 for designation .
16 This decision will be passed by
17 resolution of the commission and will be
18 accompanied by a report stating the findings of
19 the commission concerning the criteria for
20 designation .
21 Further , a notice of that particular
22 decision will be . a recommendation for approval of
23 the district , a recommendation for approval with
24 modifications or a recommendation not to recommend
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1 this district at this time , whichever of those may
2 be .
3 That notice , including a copy of the
4 report , will be sent within seven days by regular
5 mail to common addresses of all properties located
6 within the proposed historic district and to the
7 Elgin City Council .
8 Upon receiving that decision , the
9 commission - - of the commission and a copy of the
10 report , the Elgin City Council will make the
11 determination to accept or reject the
12 nomination .
13 In the event the nomination is accepted
14 and designated by the City Council , a certified
15 copy of the ordinance designating the district
16 will be recorded with the Kane County Recorder in
17 - which the district is proposed - - proposed
18 district is located .
19 In the event that the nomination is
20 rejected by the City Council , a new petition or
21 nomination for a historic district may not be
22 filed to the Heritage Commission for a period of
23 at least one year following the date of denial .
24 In closing , I would just like to provide
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1 a comment that the design guideline document that
2 has recently been adopted has had some very
3 careful thought to many of the issues that have
4 been brought up by people in the audience this
5 evening . And there has been a substantial amount
6 of effort given to accomplish things that are
7 beneficial for all parties .
8 Number one , the interest is in preserving
9 the architecture character of the streetscape .
10 The interest is also in allowing property owners
11 to have flexibility and make modifications , to do
12 things in areas that don ' t affect the streetscape ,
13 to give them flexibility .
14 We ' ve tried to make a representative
15 balance within that document so that it will be
16- successful , and it will be endorsed by the public
17 at large that uses it .
18 And in closing I would also like to thank
19 all of you for or against this issue , those
20 speaking or not . I would like to thank you for
21 your interest in this matter , your interest in
22 your own neighborhood . And we will consider all
23 , of your comments .
24 And at this time I would entertain, a
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1 motion to close the public hearing .
2 MR . SANDOR : Mr . Chairman , I ' d like to make a
3 motion that the commission place all
4 'correspondence received on this matter into the
5 record as part of this public hearing .
6 MS . TRIMBLE : Second .
7 MR . DOSCHER : Motion and second .
8 Include all the received information?
9 MR . SANDOR : All received information .
10 MR . DOSCHER : Those in favor signify by saying
11 aye .
12 . (Whereupon all the members
13 voted aye . )
14 MR . DOSCHER : Opposed?
15 Any further comments or questions from
16 the commission or a motion to close the public
17 hearing?
18 MR . SANDOR : So moved .
19 MS . TRIMBLE : Second .
20 MR . DOSCHER : Motion and second to close the
21 public hearing .
22 Those in favor signify by saying aye .
23 (Whereupon all the members
24 voted aye . )
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1 Opposed?
2 MR . DOSCHER : The public hearing is now
3 closed .
4 (Whereupon . the hearing was
5 adjourned sine die . )
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 -
20 .
21
22
23
24
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1 STATE OF ILLINOIS )
SS .
2 COUNTY OF K A N E
3 "
4 I , VICTORIA L . KELLENBERGER, C . S . R . , a
5 Notary Public in and for the County of Kane , State
6 of Illinois , do hereby certify that the foregoing
7 transcript , Pages 1 to and including 74 , is a true
8 and correct transcription of my stenographic notes
9 of the report of proceedings , at the meetingof
10 the Elgin Heritage Commisison , at the City of
11 Elgin , City Council Chambers , 150 Dexter Court ,
12 Elgin , Illinois , on the 22nd day of May, A . D .
13 1997 , at the hour of 6 : 30 P . M .
14 I further certify that I am not counsel
15 for nor in any related to any of the parties
16 to this matter , nor am I in any way interested in
17 the outcome thereof .
18 IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereuntoLu�set
19 my hand and affixed my notarial seal this ,, 97�
20 day of May, 1997 .
21
22 Notary Public
OFFICIAL SEAL and
VICTORIA L. KELLENDERGER
23 NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF ILLINOIS Certified Shorthand Reporter
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES 5-3-98 • C . S . R . License 0 8 4 0 0 2 4 9 1
24
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V:
VO
.'� • �I
•
April 12, 1997 SduthEast Elgin
Mr. George Doscher - Chair
Elgin Heritage Commission
150 Dexter Ct.
Elgin, IL 60120
RE: ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH HISTORIC DISTRICT
Dear Mr. Doscher:
During a recent meeting of the Southeast Elgin Neighbors (SEEN) there was discussion and
a vote relative to the designation of a new historic district in our neighborhood. It was
voted, (unanimously) by the members present, that SEEN would support and encourage the
designation of an Elgin Historic District in the area described as the Elgin National Watch
Historic District.
As you are aware, Elgin's southeast side has many historically significant structures which
exemplify Elgin's rich heritage. We are particularly proud of our historic ties to the
National Watch Factory and feel that the designation as the Elgin National Watch Historic
District is appropriate.
Additionally, we wish to thank all the members of the.Elgin Heritage Commission for
nominating this area as a new Elgin historic district and for assisting with the cost of the
survey and document processing.
We look forward to joining with the other historic districts in adding to the great reputation
of Elgin as the City to Watch. Thank you.
Sincerely,
•
Tim Williams - President
Southeast Elgin Neighbors
•
a +
N( •
[1
CENTURYWe promote the development and enhancement of the economic,commercial,social,recreational
PRRTNERSN I P and governmental services and amenities of the Center City and its surrounding neighborhoods.
March 20, 1997 •
George Doscher
Elgin Heritage Commission
150 Dexter Ct .
Elgin, IL 60120
Dear Mr.. Doscher-:
At its March 19, 1997 meeting, the New Century Partnership Board
of Directors voted unanimously to support the formal designation
of the Elgin National Watch Historic District . The Board based
its decision on . a 'recognition of the positive impact such action
has had on the two historic districts already in place. Such
designation appears to be one of many important tools in
building strong and attractive neighborhoods, maintaining the
architectural heritage of the community.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide input on this matter.
Sincerely,
avid Kell erge
President -
HISTDIS . 397/NCPBOAR.D
31 South Grove Avenue • Elgin, Illinois 60120 • (847) 931-5945 • FAX: (847) 931-5610
`. hwwe.t.L.
BAN eit
PRIMUS REALTY 472 N.McLEAN BLVD.
ELGIN,IL 60123 •
BUS.(847)742-5000
FAX(847)742-5039
March 14, 1997
City of Elgin
Elgin Heritage Commission •
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, Illinois 60120
Dear Members of the Heritage Commission,
As a full time Elgin Area Realtor I support the nomination and establishment of the
'National Watch Company' Historic District, for the area commonly known as the
Southeast Neighborhood within the city of Elgin. It is my belief that the establishment of
• additional historic districts will assist in the communal effort to preserve Elgin's historic
neighborhoods and residential structures. In addition, the establishment of the National
Watch Company' Historic.District will serve as 'public notice' of the commitment of the
Elgin.community to assist in the stabilization and revitalization of its neighborhoods, and
to encourage investment as well as reinvestment in the community at large. Furthermore,
every effort that can be made to improve, and, assist in fostering a positive image of Elgin
will serve to benefit our community as a whole. Therefore, I respectfully lend public
support to the Heritage Commission for the nomination and for the establishment of the
'National Watch Company' Historic District.
Working for a better Elgin,
Larry McMurray, Realtor . ---------- — ---
Coldwell Banker Primus-Elgin • (847)742-5000 Bus.,742-5039 FAX
(847)742.3750 RESIDENCE
(847)468-6452 VM
GOs.c'u 1.L LAURENCE C.McMURRAY
cc: Southeast Elgin Neighbors BAl� • 9 REACTOR'
Historic Homes I Restorauors
• COLDWELL BANKER
� ,wls PRIMUS REALTY
472 N McLEAN BLVD
ELGIN.R 60123
An'rcet:e-ce'ny Owneo ano Ope•ateb Member of CoIdweo Ban+er Aes.oent a's a:es irc
I .
An Independently Owned and Operated Member of Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates,Inc.
k
NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 1446
ELGIN, IL. 60121
•
MARCH 18TH, 1997
City of Elgin
Elgin Heritage Commission
150 Dexter Court •
Elgin, Illinois 60120
To the member of the Elgin Heritage Commission,
On behalf of the Northeast Neighbors Association we wish to support the nomination and
establishment of the "National Watch Company" Historic District for the designated area
in the Southeast Neighborhood of Elgin. It is our belief that the establishment of this area
as an historic district will help to preserve and protect Elgin's historic neighborhoods and
its many unique residential structures. We believe that the establishment of the "National
Watch Company" historic district will provide valuable assistance in the stabilization and
• revitalization of this significant neighborhood. In the short period of time since the
inception of the Spring St./Douglas Ave. Historic District, we have observed a
recognizable improvement on the exteriors of many residential structure as brought about
by the homeowner or the partnership of the owner and city (architectural rehabilitation
grant program). This kind of investment in the neighborhoods will assist in polishing the
image of Elgin and should serve to encourage a better self-image of the
community/neighborhoods collectively. Therefore, we wish to voice our support, to the
Elgin Heritage Commission, for recommending the establishment of the southeast
neighborhood area as the "National Watch Company" Historic District.
United for a better Elgin,
The Northeast Neighbors Association and its Historic District Committee
cc: S.E.E.N
. . .
. ,
tigin
Fire Parn Nu. 5 Museum
•
•••; „.7 1-
533 bt. Charles cat. El8in, IL 60120 847-697-6242
Elgin Heritage Commission
150 Dexter Ct.
Elgin, Illinois
Dear Commissioners,
We at Fire Barn #5 Museum would like to take this opportunity to support
our neighbors in their endeavor to form the Elgin National Watch
Historic District.
We believe that the restoration of the old neighborhoods is a giant step in
returning Elgin to its glorious past. We at Fire Barn #5 believe that all
restoration needs a master plan. The formation of an Historical District in
our area can greatly help to restore this fine old neighborhood.
We gladly give our support to the SouthEast Elgin Neighbors in their quest
to form an Historical District, and will help them in any way possible.
Please help these neighbors to help themselves.
Sincer-
•
)qk
Willi. o Grant
Preeiden
•
c: Terry Wawrzyniak , Seen
02466 Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60194
REALTY Bus: (708)490-6100 I
EXECUTIVES FAX: (708)490-1112 ,
!
081 Market Street REAtiOR
Elgin, IL 60123 •
Bus: (708)622-5100
ADVANTAGE FAX: (708)931-1614
April 30, 1997
Sarosh Saher
Historic Preservation Specialist
City of Elgin
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL F0120
Dear Sarosh,
I just wanted to drop you a note regarding the new proposed historic district
south of Villa Street. As a Realtor specializing in historic homes, I wanted
you, along with City Council members and other city employees to know
that I am in favor of the new district.
I work with many buyers from outside of the Elgin area and show homes in the older
established neighborhoods. The people that want an older home are looking for
something unique, a home with real woodwork, fireplaces and architectural details
that are not available in newer affordable homes. Maintaining the authenic exteriors
of these older homes, wtlether it is a bungalow or mansion, impresses potential
buyers and neighbors alike and greatly enhances 'curb appeal'. This can only help
to increase real estate values as more homeowners restore their homes. The grants and
other programs available for homes in historic districts are added incentives for
people to maintain their homes.
Buyers are always impressed with all the positive changes happening in Elgin
and additional historic districts will benefit all the citizens of Elgin. If there is anything I can
• do to help with regard to historic properties, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Tom Krebsbach
Historic Property Specialist
•
•
6.
Ilk
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5/19/97
Dear Mr. Wawrzyniak,
I am a former Elgin National Watch factory employee. I have recently
read in the Daily Herald that the South East side of Elgin is being
considered for a Historic District. The name chosen, 'The Elgin
National Watch Historic District' is very appropriate for that area.
The Elgin Watch factory deserves to be recognized in more ways than •
one.
Many of my watch factory co-workers lived in that South East
neighborhood, and I have. always admired the beautiful older homes
they once owned. Unfortunately, today in that area, I see deterioration
and many houses in need of repair. Hopefully, the proposed historical
district will restore this once attractive neighborhood. It is so much
part of the watch factory, I would hate to see it deteriorate.
I am amazed at the appearance and beauty of the North East
restoration. It enhances the neighborhood and gives the people that live
there, and the community something to. be proud of. This is evident in
the articles that are written in magazines and newspapers about the
most up & coming city to live in, Elgin!
Lets give the Elgin South East neighborhood a chance,
and to prove 'they care'.
Thank you for all your efforts.
Doris Survant
965 Ascot Drive
Elgin, II. 60123
•
Elgin National Watch Historic District - Public Hearing: May 22, 1997
Sign-up Sheet to present testimony (comments)
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Sign-up Sheet to present testimony (comments)
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ECONOMICS - AND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
DONOVAN D . R YPKEMA
allegMEMMEW
r1 ere's the deal:
• We are going to have to choose between historic
preservation and economic development.
'• Preservation is kind of.nice when times are good,
but we simply can't afford it when local budgets are
stretched to the limit. -
• It's great that the rich can afford to restore their
mansions,but the public sector certainly can't afford to
rehabilitate these old buildings and most certainly
preservation is not.a cost-effective means of housing
the poor.
• Historic districts,because of the restrictions they
place on properties,inherently reduce property values.
- I •Close-in residential neigh-
` borhoods are in such a state of
` - :: deterioration that we need to
-', ; raze them to get rid of slum
• x
== �`�; ; i and blight, the crime and the
I 1 t, eyesores those neighborhoods
s1. represent.
• Preservation probably
1 RYPKEMA works as a tourism strategy
%AINTE R 1993
-
in Santa Fe or Charleston but is antithetical -Main Street Approach" has now become
to broader economic development any- part of the vernacular of the field of eco-
where else. nomic development.It would be nice to say
ham_-�_.•.:%;.
Those statements have•three things in this success stems from the brilliance of the ""
common: we hear them all the time: they • staff.the quality of the publications.the ex " _-
are all economic arguments: and they are ` cellence of the conferences.Not so.This an-
all absolute. unequivocal. unadulterated swer is much more simple: economic
hogwash. And -hogwash" is the more development through historic preservation
polite term I substituted when I found out I - works—it works.
was going to be speaking at Trinity Church. If you ask your local economic develop-
To have the theme of a National Trust ment director what is the single best
conference be preservation economics measurement of economic development
is almost amazing to me.My first National success, I'll tell you what the answer will
Trust meeting was a little over a decade be jobs.Every community needs jobs.So
ago. I do not exaggerate when I tell let's take a look at historic preservation and
you that there were violent arguments job creation.
about whether real estate developers Dollar for dollar,historic preservation is
should even be allowed to register at the one of the highest job-generating econom-
conference—somehow that was diluting ic development options available.In Michi-
the purity of the movement. gan, $1,000,000 in building rehabilitation
This conference.I would suggest to you, creates twelve more jobs than does manu-
marks the date when economics takes its facturing S1,000,000 of cars. In West Vir-
rightful place as one of the pillars upon ) ginia, $1.000.000 of rehabilitation creates
which the preservation ethic is based. It twenty more jobs than mining$1,000,000of
certainly is not more important than the coal. In Oklahoma,$1.000,000 of rehabili-
cultural,aesthetic,sociological or historical cation creates twenty-nine more jobs than
bases, but the time has come to recognize y pumping$1,000,000 of oil.In Oregon,twen-
its equal importance. ty-two more jobs than cutting$1 O OQ,000 of
This time has come in part because of the timber. In Pennsylvania. twelve more jobs
leadership of Dick Moe. Peter Brink and i than processing$1.000,000 of steel.In Cali-
others at the Trust, is evidenced by the fornia, five more jobs than manufacturing
emergence of people like Tom Moriarity S1.000.000 of electronic equipment. In
and Brad.White into leadership positions at South Dakota.seventeen more jobs than
Preservation Action,through the successes ; growing$1.000.000 of agricultural products.
around the country chronicled by Roberta I In South Carolina. eight more jobs than
Gratz,by the willingness of groups like the ; manufacturing $1.000.000 of textiles.
Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana ' Historic preservation creates jobs.
to get in and get their hands dirty in real j At the same time, rehabilitation will
estate development. have a far greater impact on the local econ-
But perhap's more than anything else. omy than will the same amount of new
it has been the incredible impact of the construction. Suppose a community is
National Main Street Center and its philos- choosing between spending $1.000.000 in
ophy of economic development through new construction and spending$1.000.000
historic preservation. That has made in rehabilitation. What would the differ-
believers out of more crass unrepentant ences be? $120.000 more dollars will
real estate capitalists like me than can pos- initially stay in the community with reha-
sibly be counted:an impact far beyond the bilitation than with new construction.Five
900 towns with Main Street programs.The I to nine more construction jobs will be
HIcr',RIr. PR Est. R r i rlos FUR ( V
lj
I
•
created with rehabilitation:4.7 more new Forget preservation and the environ
jobs will be created elsewhere in the ment—downtown revitalization saves tax :z>#'r`,
community with rehabilitation: household ; dollars:sprawl wastes tax dollars. You tell
incomes in the community will increase me who is the fiscal conservative.
$107.000 more with rehabilitation. Let's leave downtown for a moment and
But job creation and household incomes go to residential neighborhoods. Here's
aren't the only measures.There probably what a recent study by the.National Associ MEM
-
isn't an elected official in the country that ation of Home Builders discovered: "The
doesn't claim to be for fiscal responsibility. size of a house and the number of bath-
And I politically and philosophically rooms are important in determining the
endorse that position.But let me make one price of a home,but the characteristics of
thing unequivocally clear—any community the neighborhood in which a house is locat-
of any size that does not have a formal pro- ed affect price the most...The analysis found
gram of downtown revitalization cannot -that the presence of abandoned buildings in
claim to be doing everything possible to ' the neighborhood reduces the price more
save taxpayers'dollars.. than thirty percent."
Every community has already made Now where are those abandoned houses
a huge investment of public funds in down- ; found? In our older and historic neighbor-
town streets,sidewalks,water and sewer hoods. If municipal budgets really are
lines, parking lots,streetlights and other stretched, how much more fiscally irre-
infrastructure.A downtown that is allowed sponsible can you be than to allow the
to deteriorate with buildings sitting empty neighborhoods from which you draw the
wastes assets that have already been paid taxes to decline in value? Not to mention
for. It is exactly the same as buying a new what that does to the security of bank loans,
police car but only driving it on Fridays. people's life savings wrapped up in home
or paying a full-time salary to an assessor equity. and crime that gravitates almost
who only works twice a week. Certainly , instantly to abandoned houses.
Oh yeah, some idiot police chief
will have a brilliant solution:"Oh.you
Commitment to downtown have a crack house in your neighbor-
hood?We'll send over a bulldozer to-
rez itali: ation and reuse of pistol is morrow,level the house,and that will
take care of it." Right! Having an
bulldings may be the mosteffectli.'e empty lot next door instead of an
empty house means having hookers
single act of fiscal responsibility for neighbors instead of drug deal-
ers—some improvement in quality of
a local go%'ernnlent can take. life that is.
And those of you from smaller
tax-payers wouldn't stand for that as public communities who say."abandoned houses
policy. A community wastes taxpayers' area problem in Detroit or Philadelphia but
dollars every day when downtown is being ; not in our small town" are kidding your-
' used at thirty or forty or fifty percent of ' selves.Half my work is in places of less than
its capacity. Commitment to downtown 20,000 people and abandoned houses are
revitalization and reuse of downtown's there too—with the same negative effects.
historic buildings may be the most effective As counter point,consider the study last
single act of fiscal responsibility a local year of a State of Washington preservation
government can take. program. Here was one of the findings:
. .? -r--
• While almost sixty percent of the rehabili- - ?
tated buildings under this program were U'�
either vacant or completely abandoned '' +'
• buildings located in blighted neighbor `: « ;�-, ..
hoods.they are now fully occupied. ` ;'`'
fit r c .i:.xci
Now you don't have to be the president _,. . ,. ,.
of the local Mensa chapter to make the con • ' ,,
nection.The rehabilitation of abandoned - + :', ;
housing doesn't just preserve a single build '1, , ,� A"� 4 1p c
ing. It preserves the value of the entire _, r�. 1 i idi : r, (- —
neighborhood.That's what historic preser .r.- . _ ., - t _.
vation has become. It isn't about restoring l t + a;,,--•=-:-- T.-1-iv .
buildings;it's about restoring communities I 'j `� s il f. ti-}9 -
and that includes restoring the economic I `t M � ..�
value of communities. • .9 r i, ., •A _
What mayor of a community of any size n ' ` "4 �r•'
doesn't struggle with how to get middle { _ t '
class taxpayers to move back to the city? ', s r f s :',`E' t
But think for a minute where there have 4 ,l f;Kt `s' fi
been pockets of back to the city migration— { t ; - � re- J' i1'Alt
jj1 !
Columbus, St. Paul, Chicago. Louisville { , ,.- I�:'
} *
ili
Boston, New York. Des Moines. Seattle .. " '7.fs , - � 1C to—>�'' •
Oakland.It has not been back to the city in I ;``{�f -" > { '';it!t ;t
general. In every instance it has been back - s ' �`ri x i 1 ', tv
to historic neighborhoods within the city I s ' # ..
City governments that allow their historic 1 x= -:.
neighborhoods to disappear through demo- i :' Y r-j '
lition,neglect.commercial encroachment or s: " �'
abandonment preclude themselves from
being beneficiaries of a future back to the 1 The Old State House .
city movement. surrounded by new urban fabric.
•
While we're on the subject of neighbor- .
hoods.we might as well come face-to-face new businesses without displacing the resi-
with another issue preservationists are un- i dents who for too long struggled alone to
fairly saddled with—gentrification. Yes, i maintain their neighborhood and its sense
preservationists encourage reinvestment, of place.It is time we acknowledged that for
renovation and relocation to historic neigh- , our communities to be reborn we have to
borhoods. But not through the displace- : have economic integration—and our
ment of existing long-time residents.Preser- historic neighborhoods provide the best
vationists understand better than anyone ; environment for that to happen.
that the real character and quality of neigh- Henry Jordan. I can't tell you how
• borhoods come from people,not buildings. : thrilled I was on Thursday to hear you say
When solutions have been developed to , that Chicago Housing Authority Chairman
prevent displacement,those solutions have Vince Lane is joining your Board of
almost always come from preservationists. ; Trustees. I don't know much. and every-
In Savannah, Cincinnati. Indianapolis and thing I do know I've learned from others.
elsewhere preservationists have found ways and I've learned a lot from Vince Lane. I
of bringing in new people.new money,and : had a chance to work with him last year in
H l.s T', R l c P R £ f£ R t 4 T l h V h ( R I'.V
New Orleans on a very troubled public Park Service, by all means let's do so. If
housing project—St.Thomas.This is a pro- there are changes that should be made in
ject so dangerous that the housing authori- the Secretary's Standards—particularly re-
ty didn't have a resident manager there, garding interiors—let's make them.
sometimes cab drivers wouldn't take us i But I think we have to ask ourselves why rimmr
.,-. there,and nobody knew how many vacan- I the Standards exist at all and I think it is to
cies there were. • j assure the quality and the integrity of the
But . through the public housing I structure when the work is done.There are
grapevine the residents of St.Thomas knew I those who have suggested that a somewhat
about Vince Lane.They had heard from lesser'standard be applied when dealing
friends iq Chicago that,the quality of life with low-income housing preservation pro-
in the public housing there was for the first jects.But what does that say? That low-
time getting better instead of worse. income people won't know the difference?
Because Vince Lane knows the importance That low-income people won't care?That
of economically integrated communities. certainly hasn't been my experience.If pro-
And he's done it in Chicago without invol- cedures, policies, interpretation, or the
• untarily relocating a single tenant. Standards themselves need to be changed
So beware,preservationists,when you to make residential rehabilitation work bet-
hear."We don't want historic preservation I ter,let's change them—but change them for
because we don't want gentrification." ( all of us,not develop a lower standard for
There are those on both the right and the ; the poor.
left who benefit politically from keeping ; There's another bit of economic silliness
we are barraged with—that historic
If in the long run we want to districts reduce property values.Peter
mentioned the new book.In research-
attract capital, to attract ing the book I think I found every
published study ever done on the eco-
investment to our communities, nomic impact of historic districts. In
some instances,value within the dis-
ii'e in list differentiate them from trict appreciated at a rate far faster
than the community as a whole; in
anywhere-else. some studies,districting led to signifi-
cant new investment; in some cases.
the poor in isolation. But the poor don't . historic districts were protected from the
benefit—just ask Vince Lane or the wide volatile swings in property values.
residents of his economically integrated But not in one instance—zero, zilch.
developments in Chicago or the residents ' zip—not a single study found that historic
of St.Thomas.The poor don't benefit and districts caused a decline in property values.
neither does preservation.And our fellow . Not one.It's time we put that politically mo-
preservationists have found ways of : tivated nonsense to rest for good.
encouraging reinvestment which don't A good share of these claims,by the way,
result in displacement. ; come from the so-called"property rights"
Dick Moe mentioned in his address on ; movement. Among their other arguments
Thursday that there is an inherent tension is that land use controls discourage long-
between the costs of preservation and pro- term economic development.In fact.noth-
viding affordable housing, and I heartily ing could be further from the truth.Today
agree.So if there are ways we can speed up , 'quality of life is the single most significant
the approval process at HUD and at the variable in economic development.
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WINTER I99g - --- --- - -
1,
A
840 Summit St. • Elgin, Illinois 60120 x `' .� �. � • •e Ofc. 708/741-4151 • Fax 708/ 741-4190
/REALTORS3
May 22, 1997
To: Elgin Heritage Commission
As a fifty year old, third generation Elginite, and broker/owner of Summit Realtors, I
would like to express my support for the work that the is being done by the
Commission.
It is my feeling that the historic districts have been a valuable asset in what I see as
great improvement in the City of Elgin as a whole.
I wish continued success and pledge my support to all involved.
Sincerely,
Steve Rosborough
s
•
•
•
Think about it.Since quality of life is the ; I think there's something to learn from
significant variable for economic develop- • halo Calvino's book Invisible Cities. In it
ment.and since the physical environment is ; Marco Polo is describing to Kublai Khan
a major element of the quality of life crite- the various cities of the Khan's vast empire. "
ria.there is no greater threat to sustainable I In depicting the city of Trude,here is what
economic growth than the elimination of ; he tells the Khan:
those community-based enactments whose i "If on arriving at Trude I had not read
sole purpose is the protection of that phys- f the city's name written in big letters,I would
ical environment whether it is built or natu- j have thought I was landing at the same
ral. In the name of real estate rights these I airport from which I had taken off.The
myopic fast buck artists are the ones doom- suburbs they drove me through were no
ing the economic future of our communi- different from the others, with the same
ry ties—notpreseivatiorlisst,enyironmer4tal, little.greenish kncikellowish houses.
• rsts and our allies. • ' Following the sane signs we swung around
Many of you first became involved in the same flower beds in the same squares.
preservation as a result of a threatened or The downtown streets displayed goods.
completed demolition. What about the packages.signs that had not changed at all.
economics of that?Well,in real estate de- This was the fast time I had come to Trude,
velopment perhaps the most important sin- but I already knew the hotel where I
gle element is flexibility—you need to happened to be lodged;I had already heard
maintain as many options as possible for as and spoken my dialogues with the buyers
• long as possible.When a building is stand- and sellers of hardware;I had ended other
ing—even if empty and unused—you have I days identically,looking through the same •
four options: do nothing: stabilize the goblets at the same swaying navels.
• building and warehouse it:rehabilitate;or "'Why come to Trude?' I asked myself.
tear it down.But once the fourth option is ( And already I wanted to leave.'You can re-
taken. the other three are eliminated for- ; sume your flight whenever you like,'they
ever. You can always tear a building said to me,'but you will arrive at another
down—that choice is never eliminated— Trude.absolutely the same.detail by detail.
but once a building is razed other choices I The world is covered by a sole Trude which
no longer exist. And stabilizing and ware- does not begin and does not end.Only the •
housing a building is nearly always a cheap- ! name of the airport changes."'
er alternative than demolition. ; It seems to me that the most powerful
Let me give you a small example.A city argument for historic preservation is
I visited recently spent$1.8 million acquir- to avoid having the "world covered by a
ing a vacant 1920s hotel. Now they are sole Trude which does not begin and does
preparing to spend another million to tear it nct.end." In economics it is the differenti-
down—even though their own engineering ated product that commands a monetary
study says that they could spend$400,000 premium. If in the long run we want to
and stabilize the building indefinitely.The attract capital,to attract investment to-our
city manager says demolition is an act of fis- communities to have community rebirth,
cal responsibility.They are going to end up : we must differentiate them from anywhere
with a piece of vacant ground that will have i else. It is our built environment that
cost them over S100 per square foot in a expresses. perhaps better than anything
neighborhood where you can buy all the va- '. else,our diversity,our identity,our individ-
cant lots you want for less than$15 a foot. ; uality,our differentiation.
That has all the fiscal responsibility of the In this world, in this time when far too
Pentagon's$600 toilet seats. ; much is framed in the zero sum game of
12 HISTORIC PRESERV. TIO.V FORC'.V
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Char/es River Beat Howe
"for me to win,you have to lose,"it's worth vation economics and since we are in
looking at how different from that historic Boston, it is appropriate to give the last
preservation is. word to the great Harvard economist John
Historic preservation is the single Kenneth Galbraith.Here is what he writes:
economic development strategy that "The preservation movement
doesn't require the rust belt to lose for the has one great curiosity. There is
sun belt to win;isn't prosperity in the big ' never retrospective controversy
city built on poverty in the small town; , or regret. Preservationists are
• doesn't have to take away jobs in the north I the only people in the world
to create jobs in the south. i who are'invariably confirmed
Historic preservation is an economic in their wisdom after the fact.'
development strategy where reaching I And your wisdom, fellow preservation-
` economic development goals doesn't mean I ists,is being confirmed daily.
sacrificing community development goals. I Thank you very much.
In fact, more than that. Whenever
historic preservation is economic develop- � Donovan D. Rypkema is a real estate and
ment,community is developed—whenever ! economic development consultant located in
historic preservation is community devel- Washington, D.C.
opment,the local economy is developed.
Since this is a conference about preser-
WINTER 1993
�.►y 05: 23/97 12:07 $1 708 444 4966 ANDERSEN WLD"'IDE 002
•
Marie R. Johnson
618 St. Charles St.
Elgin,Illinois 60120
847-697-8624
May 23, 1997
•
Mr. Sarosh B. Saher
Historic Preservation Specialist.
I50 Dexter Court
Elgin, Illinois 60120
Dear Mr. Saber:
•
I would like this letter to be considered as part of the nomination of the proposed historic
district on the southeast side of Elgin known as the Elgin National Watch Historic District.
As noted in the Application for Nonination, this area is rich with history that cries to be
preserved so that future generations of Elgin will know their roots. Although the complex
fondly known as the Watch Factory no longer exists, it's roots are still alive within our
neighborhoods. There is no physical tribute to the Watch Factory that remains to be
recogni7ed by a visitor to this City which would signify Elgin's "claim to fame." I remember
it as a massive, beautiful building, and the only place my children will see it is in a book. I
know of no other historic district in Elgin that holds as much physical history as this
proposed district. I do not want to see the razing of other historical properties in this area
only to be replaced by modern day uses such as strip malls, parking areas, or new home
construction:
I attended the public hearing last night and am very disturbed by the comment made by one
of the committee members that the citizens were too emotional. I cannot understand how a
person can be otherwise; this is our home. Within each community there are thousands of
cores; those would be homes. I find it hard to consider my home just "sticks and b,ricks."
We have raised our children here, as have past generations, and have created a sense of
pride where we live. If we did not have that pride, that sense of community, we would not be
so passionate in trying to preserve our history. •
I feel we have more than met the criteria to be recommend as a Historic District.
Sincerely, •
•
Marie R. Johnso:'!
i
I
.,. "�
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