Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Thursday, March 01, 2018 5:00 PM Village of Plainfield Planning Conference Room 24401 W. Lockport St. Plainfield, IL 60544 Agenda CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes of the Landmark & District Designation Subcommittee date February 1, 2018. 02-01-2018 LDDC Minutes.pdf OLD BUSINESS: Discuss meeting date and time for Route 59 Business Transition District property owners & Commercial Real Estate Brokers 2018 Preservation Awards Plainfield Historic Preservation Awards.pdf 24120-22 W. Lockport Street - Demolition or Restoration 24120-24122 W. Lockport Survey.pdf Update Preservation Watch List Historic Guidelines Manual Invite High School Students to participate in the HPC Youth Preservation Revised Language for the Rehabilitation Grant Program Historical Kiosk located near 24216 W. Lockport Street Trolley Barn 1
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Page - 2 NEW BUSINESS 24029 (506) W. Lockport Street possible renovation & 20% Federal Rehab Tax Credit 24029 (506) W. Lockport Street Historic Urbanized Core Survey.pdf 24029 (506) W. Lockport Street History and Picutres.pdf 24205 W. Lockport Street - Sovereign/Norview Builders DISCUSSION ADJOURN 24038 (503) W. Main Street Plainfield (Halfway) House Landmark Nomination 24038 (503) W. Main Street Historic Urbanized Core Survey.pdf 2
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-850- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Approval of Minutes of the Landmark & District Designation Subcommittee date February 1, 2018. Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 02-01-2018 LDDC Minutes.pdf 3
Village of Plainfield Meeting of the Landmarks & District Designation Subcommittee Record of Minutes Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Village Hall CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL Commissioner Hagen called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Roll call was taken: Commissioners Hagen, Hendricksen, Olsen, Rapp and Chairman Bortel were present. Commissioners Derrick was absent. Also in Attendance: Kendra Kuehlem, Associate Planner; and Jonathan Proulx, Director of Planning APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Olsen made a motion to approve the April 6, 2017; October 5, 2017; November 2, 2017 and January 4, 2018 minutes. Seconded by Chairman Bortel. Voice Vote. All in favor. 0 opposed. Motion carried 5-0. OLD BUSINESS 24210 W. Lockport St. - DNA Athletics Chairman Bortel provided an update on the construction. 14918 S. Eastern Avenue - Landmark Commissioner Olsen stated they are substantially changing the house and described the changes they are making. 14903 S. Eastern Avenue - Box Factory - Landmark Chairman Bortel stated that the Box Factory could still be landmarked and that there are only two homes on Eastern Avenue that could be landmarked. 24216 W. Lockport St. - Trolley Barn Chairman Bortel stated the Historical kiosk is near the Trolley Barn and suggested they put brochures/pictures in it. Chairman Bortel provided the progress of the Trolley Barn. Rehabilitation Grant Program Chairman Bortel provided an update of the Grant Program funding and stated staff would like to have a meeting with Village Administrator and members of the HPC to discuss program. Commissioner Olsen suggested researching what other communities have and bring it to the meeting. Kendall County HPC Presentation Chairman Bortel advised the committee on what will be presented at the meeting on Wednesday, February 21 st at 7:00 p.m. at Kendall County Courthouse. Preservation Watch List Mr. Proulx stated he will have the list ready for HPC meeting, so they can review and decide what can be removed and added. Commissioner Hendricksen asked when the last time it was updated. Commissioner Olsen stated it has been awhile and there are some properties that could come off. Commissioner Hagen asked the purpose of the watch list. Commissioner Hendricksen explained the purpose of the watch list. Mr. Proulx stated he will have it updated in 2 weeks. 24120-24122 W. Lockport St. Mr. Proulx stated he was contacted by potential new owner about what can be done with the property and explained to the caller what can be done with the property. Commissioner Hendricksen stated the 4
LDDC Minutes February 1, 2018 Page 2 of 2 building is occupied and has value. Commissioner Olsen asked if there is a public access. Mr. Proulx stated it is on the east side of NAPA. Mr. Proulx asked the commission for their opinion. LDDC suggests that they keep the building appearance close to the original, making sure the space is usable, for example demolishing the wing portion on the structure to allow for a newer building addition. Commissioner Hendericksen stated the wing has had some modifications over the years. Commissioner Olsen stated she would not be opposed to that suggestion. NEW BUSINESS Changing the time of the LDDC Meetings Commissioner Hendericksen suggested combining LDDC and Public Outreach subcommittees. Commissioner Olsen stated she thinks it is a good idea. Commissioner Hendericksen stated it was verbally agreed upon that Public Outreach Subcommittee and LDDC will have a combined meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. Route 59 Business Transition District (BTD) Property Owners Chairman Bortel suggested inviting the property owners in the Business Transition District (BTD) to a meeting to discuss what the Business Transition District is. Chairman Bortel suggested inviting commercial realtors, too. Chairman Bortel stated the date of meeting is to be determined. Assisting Downtown Properties Commissioner Olsen stated that it is hard for the Chamber to focus on downtown, since they now cover all of Plainfield. Commissioner Olsen stated that the Planning Department did a restaurant week and that it went well. Mr. Proulx stated that Jake Melrose, Community Development, has been co-hosting with the Chamber the Progressive Dinners. DISCUSSION 15002 S. Des Plaines Street Chairman Bortel stated that the new owners want to landmark the property and provided the committee information on this property (see attached survey). Landmarks Mr. Proulx stated that there were no Landmarks last year and asked that they try and finalize one that is in progress. Chairman Bortel stated there are 8 landmarks to be completed. Preservation Month Commissioner Olsen asked if they are doing anything for the Village Board for Preservation Month besides giving out their awards. Chairman Bortel stated hopefully they will have Halfway House and 15002 S. Des Plaines Street nominations for Landmark and maybe the kiosk by the Trolley Barn will be set up. Baci Building Commissioner Hagen asked if Baci has sold. Mr. Proulx stated that he has been told a number of times that it has been sold and that the person who bought it sells furniture. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Erickson Recording Secretary 5
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 15002 S. DesPlaines St. 808 N. DesPlaines St. PIN/Property Index Number #06-03 09-403-012-0000 Historic Property Name(s) Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission Common Name(s) Architectural Style Craftsman influence Vernacular Building Type Four Square Construction Date c. 1923 Architect/Builder Historic Use(s) Single Family Residential Present Use(s) Single Family Residential History (associated events, people, dates) Assessor s Subdivision. House appears on the 1931 Sanborn map; earlier Sanborn maps (1892, 1898, and 1912) show a narrow rectangular 1-1/2 story house with a 1 story wing and rear porch. House was then 217, sharing the triangular shaped lot with the adjacent house to the north, 197. The full-facade porch is shown on this house and a small single car garage is to the SW/rear of the house, in approximately the same location as the current garage. The two houses were readdressed as 808 and 810 respectively on the 1944 Sanborn, with no other changes. Description Rock-faced concrete block; narrow clapboard 1 st story walls, with stucco 2 nd story; belt course as continuous still for second story windows; steeply-pitched asphalt shingle hip roof, wide eaves. 2 stories, squarish shape, 3 facade bays. Wide 1/1 double-hung sash left and original large light door under left 2/3 porch. Porch with painted rock-faced concrete block pedestals, Doric columns atop, clapboard solid rail, and plain cornice. Semi-hexagonal bay to right of porch on 1 st story. 2 nd story with wide 1/1 double-hung sash in end bays and narrower paired 1/1 in center. Hip roof dormer front with three 4-light windows. South side entrance (on driveway side, as is typical with the Four Square house type); no hood, staircase accessed north/south. 3 bay north elevation with triple window set on 1 st story at west end. Integrity/Major Physical changes from original construction Windows appears to have been replaced. Subsidiary Building(s)/Site 2 car hip roof garage to SW/rear of house at end of asphalt driveway. Single overhead door, hip roof, c. 1965. Registration & Evaluation National Register of Historic Places: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Individually yes X no; historic district X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing X (garage) Significance statement: A good example of a Craftsman influence Four Square with a good degree of integrity. VP; AA. Village of Plainfield designation: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Historic Landmark yes X no; Historic District X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing X (garage) 6 Form prepared by: ArchiSearch Historic Preservation Consultants (Alice Novak) Date of Field Survey: 12.03.05-440
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 15002 S. DesPlaines St. 808 N. DesPlaines St. PIN/Property Index Number #06-03 09-403-012-0000 Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission 7
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-849- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Discuss meeting date and time for Route 59 Business Transition District property owners & Commercial Real Estate Brokers Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 8
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-848- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT 2018 Preservation Awards Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS Plainfield Historic Preservation Awards.pdf 9
Plainfield Historic Preservation Awards 2015 Rehabilitation of the Year Chester Ingersoll s Residence John/Keebie Bright Architectural Details 15205 S. Division Plainfield Florist Residential Landscape of the Year 15028 S. Center Bill & Jennifer Hamby 2016 Rehabilitation of the Year 24126 W. Chicago James/Janet Anderson Rehabilitation of the Year 15118 S. Division Barry/Vickie Hafenrichter Rehabilitation of the Year 14930 S. Illinois Bryan/Jennifer Buss Architectural Details 15135 S. DesPlaines Anthony, Nicole, Eustaquio Solis Residential Landscape of the Year Village Green Plainfield Park District 2017 Rehabilitation of the Year 15106 S. Fox River Justin/Jennifer Myers Architectural Details - 14924 Center Street - Heather & Todd Loizzo Residential Landscape of the Year - 14927 Bartlett Avenue - Sarah & Eric Cerda 2018 Due April 1 10
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-847- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT 24120-22 W. Lockport Street - Demolition or Restoration Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 24120-24122 W. Lockport Survey.pdf 11
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 621-623 W. Lockport St. Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-09-403-021-0000 #06-03-09-403-039-0000 Historic Property Name(s) Common Name(s) Architectural Style Greek Revival Vernacular Building Type Side Hall Plan/Temple form Upright and Wing Italianate influence (entrance hood) Construction Date c. 1850 Architect/Builder Historic Use(s) Single Family Residential Present Use(s) Single Family Residential History (associated events, people, dates) See reverse side/continuation Sheet. Description See reverse side/continuation Sheet. Integrity/Major Physical changes from original construction Wall material. Shutters added. Windows not original. Window size appears to have been made shorter on the 1 st story of the Upright and wider on the 2 nd story of the Upright. Frieze windows changed to gable wall dormers on the Wing. Subsidiary Building(s)/Site Tall scalloped wood fence conceals rear of house/property. Huge warehouse to rear of house s lot in poorly placed proximity to this Early Settlement Thematic house. Peyla Electric Building in Rear - sign at front lot. Small front setback. Asphalt driveway for modern industrial/warehouse building on west. Modern Vaughn Dance building nearby to east. Registration & Evaluation National Register of Historic Places: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Individually yes X no; historic district X yes Contributing X or non-contributing Significance statement: See reverse side/continuation Sheet. no Village of Plainfield designation: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Historic Landmark X!!! yes no; Historic District X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing Form prepared by: ArchiSearch Historic Preservation Consultants (Alice Novak) Date of Field Survey: 11.06.05-323 12
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 621-623 W. Lockport St. Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-09-403-021-0000 #06-03-09-403-039-0000 History (associated events, people, dates) Assessor s Subdivision. Appears on the 1893 Sanborn map, the earliest Sanborn for the Village. Shown as #502-502, with the 2 story Upright and 1.5 story wing. The house was set in very close proximity to the west lot line. The Upright had an entrance porch, as is extant. The wing had a full-elevation reentrant angle porch. Both sections of the building had one story rear wings. A large rectangular 2 story carriage barn was near the NE/rear lot corner on the east lot line, #503-1/2, which together with the two 1 story outbuildings, occupied much of the width of the rear lot. The property remained unchanged on the 1898 and 1912 Sanborn maps, but by the 1931 Sanborn, the carriage barn had been removed. Nearby, an unusually long rectangular 1 story garage had been constructed, adjacent to what appears to be the easternmost of the earlier outbuildings, which had been converted into a garage. The smaller west side outbuilding had been removed. This remained intact on the 1944 Sanborn map, with the address change to 623 being implemented. Description Random limestone foundation; synthetically sided walls (wide gauge white); asphalt shingle deteriorated gable roof. 2 and 1.5 stories; L-shaped facade; 6 facade bays; 3 elevation piles. Left Upright in Side Hall Plan form, made Temple form via deep cornice returns in a unique vernacular and stylistic pattern within the Village. Two 1/1 double-hung sash, then door in right/east bay. Gable hood with Italianate brackets over Upright entrance. Raised concrete stoop; iron open rail on either side. Two 1/1 double-hung sash on 2 nd story. Plain cornice. Bulkhead door right/east elevation. Blind bay along staircase location, east side of Upright in typical Side Hall Plan form. Deeply recessed wing to east with three bays: paired 1/1, middle door with deep gable hood, and single 1/1. Upper story with frieze windows altered to gable wall dormers with single 1/1. Front/south of west wall blind. Mixed single 1/1 to rear. Low 1 story rear gable wing, historic as shown on Sanborn maps; shed extension off wing also appears to be historic. Rear of Upright also with deep cornice returns. Significance statement: This is an OUTSTANDING residence, combining Greek Revival influence and an Upright and Wing vernacular house type. Additionally, the minor influence of the Italianate style is expressed through the Upright s entrance hood with Italianate brackets. Of particular significance and completely unmatched in the Village is that the Upright form is a Side Hall Plan house, another vernacular form; with the application of Greek Revival influence, the Side Hall Plan/Upright section, becomes a Temple form, which is also unique, if not unmatched, in the Village. With the collective significance of the Greek Revival style in the Village, this building easily ranks among the top 5 significant houses within the Early Settlement Thematic and should be a top priority to protect with landmark status. Given the high significance of this house, it should be considered for landmarking despite the synthetic siding. VP, Comm, VG&Comm, AA; EST. 13
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-846- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Update Preservation Watch List Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 14
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-845- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Historic Guidelines Manual Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 15
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-844- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Invite High School Students to participate in the HPC Youth Preservation Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 16
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-843- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Revised Language for the Rehabilitation Grant Program Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 17
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-842- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT Historical Kiosk located near 24216 W. Lockport Street Trolley Barn Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 18
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-853- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT 24029 (506) W. Lockport Street possible renovation & 20% Federal Rehab Tax Credit Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 24029 (506) W. Lockport Street Historic Urbanized Core Survey.pdf 24029 (506) W. Lockport Street History and Picutres.pdf 19
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 506 W. Lockport St. Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-16-210-020-0000 Historic Property Name(s) Sennitt Building Common Name(s) Plainfield Insurance Agency/Pekin Insurance Architectural Style no style Vernacular Building Type Commercial type Construction Date c. 1898 Architect/Builder Historic Use(s) Commercial Present Use(s) Commercial History (associated events, people, dates) See reverse side/continuation Sheet. Description Foundation not visible; replacement storefront of buff-colored brick, yellow brick parapet in running bond; shed or flat composition roof. Tall 1 story, rectangular shape, 2 facade bays. Left/east bay replacement window group of 3 narrow fixed sash set high with concrete lug sills. Step up to modern replacement door Modern entrance and molded cornice added as storefront cornice at parapet base. Yellow brick parapet with continuous raised stretcher course, alternating with raised stretcher course,. Metal cornice of exceptional design with end brackets with fleur de lis and organic patterned scrolled modillions ending in flower-like form which spill onto the yellow brick. Each frieze panel with two round raised appliques with floral design. Molded cornice. Integrity/Major Physical changes from original construction Storefront altered in the late 20 th century with materials and pattern change. Parapet remains intact with an especially well detailed metal cornice. Subsidiary Building(s)/Site No outbuildings. Registration & Evaluation National Register of Historic Places: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Individually yes X no; historic district X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing Significance statement: Consistent in height and width with buildings to the west; material change in storefront, but parapet significantly remains intact with an excellent metal cornice. VP, Comm, VG&Comm, OT. Village of Plainfield designation: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Historic Landmark yes X no; Historic District X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing Form prepared by: ArchiSearch Historic Preservation Consultants (Alice Novak) Date of Field Survey: 11.06.05-344 20
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 506 W. Lockport St. Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-16-210-020-0000 History (associated events, people, dates) Original Town plat. The 1898 Sanborn maps shows the entire east end of the block, from 544/later 510 to Illinois St. being vacant due to fire. The 1912 Sanborn maps shows the entire section to have been built back, with this building being a post office. It is generically labeled as store as most all the other commercial buildings on the 1931 and 1944 Sanborn maps, with the address change being implemented on the 1944 Sanborn. According to A History of Plainfield, Then and Now, the Sennitt Building was reconstructed after the 1898 fire which also destroyed the Opera House to the east. John Sennitt had built the previous building specifically for the post office. U.S.G. Blakely later became postmaster and operated his Enterprise office in the rear of the building for 20 years. Sometime later, the space was Nickels Restaurant. The building remained in the Sennitt family for many years until it was purchased by Bill Kelly, a long time and well known barber. 21
24029 (506) W. LOCKPORT STREET 24029 (506) (1899) - This building was built soon after the 1898 fire in a simple commercial vernacular style. It is a one story brick building with a pressed metal cornice and the storefront has been infilled with brick; leaving only a small window and residential style door. The molded storefront cornice is not original. The upper façade is of yellow face brick and the cornice has ornamental end brackets, corbels and rosette ornaments. It had been the U.S. Post Office before the 1898 fire, and remained the Post Office until at least 1912. Despite the storefront alterations, the upper façade retains its essential historic character that was manufactured by the Mesker Brothers Iron Works based in St. Louis, Missouri and operated by Bernard and Frank Mesker. They were a designer and manufacture of ornamental sheet-metal facades and cast iron storefront components from the 1880s through the mid-twentieth century, marketing their products in a catalog that displayed their designs. The brothers learned their iron-working skills from their father, John Mesker, who operated a stove business in Evansville, Indiana and later branched into galvanized iron for buildings. There are Mesker storefronts in every state. About 1936 Kelly s Beauty opened here and became Kelly s Barber Shop in 1952, later evolving into Kelly s Barber and Billiard s Shop by the 1970s when the business moved into the former church on Illinois Street across from the Library in the mid-1980s. After Kelly s moved from 506, it became the Plainfield Insurance Agency and later Wells Fargo Mortgage. 22
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Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-852- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT 24205 W. Lockport Street - Sovereign/Norview Builders Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 26
Joint Landmark & District Designation and Public Outreach Subcommittees Agenda Item Report Agenda Item No. 2018-851- Submitted by: Tracey Erickson Submitting Department: Planning Department Meeting Date: March 1, 2018 SUBJECT 24038 (503) W. Main Street Plainfield (Halfway) House Landmark Nomination Recommendation: ATTACHMENTS 24038 (503) W. Main Street Historic Urbanized Core Survey.pdf 27
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 503 W. Main St. Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-09-402-020-0000 Historic Property Name(s) Plainfield House Halfway House Common Name(s) Halfway House Architectural Style Greek Revival influence Vernacular Building Type no type Construction Date 1834; c. 1836-38 Architect/Builder Historic Use(s) Commerce/restaurant; Domestic/hotel; Government/post office; Domestic/single family Present Use(s) Single Family Residential History (associated events, people, dates) See attached Continuation Sheet. Description See reverse side. Integrity/Major Physical changes from original construction Blown-in insulation holes through original wood walls. House reflects a series of historic wings & renovations, with no modern alterations apparent. Subsidiary Building(s)/Site Marker in front of house, in east front lot. Single width driveway to adjacent east of house, changed from gravel to asphalt between field survey and photography (January & February 2006) phases of the survey. 1.5 story board and batten modern garage in carriage barn style. Side gable faces front/west with pedestrian door and two 4-light windows, plus loft door. 2 gable roof dormers west; 2 entrances/openings boarded. 2 nd story rear balcony, north. Registration & Evaluation National Register of Historic Places: Currently Listed: X yes no (NR listed: September 29, 1980) If not currently listed, recommend: Individually yes X no; historic district X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing X (outbuilding) Significance statement: This property should be a top priority for local landmarking. It is one of the better documented properties in the Village and is one of only 3 Plainfield properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, a much higher threshold for approval that local designation. VP; AA; MSC. Village of Plainfield designation: Currently Listed: yes X no If not currently listed, recommend: Historic Landmark X yes no; Historic District X yes no Contributing X or non-contributing X (outbuilding) 28 Form prepared by: ArchiSearch Historic Preservation Consultants (Alice Novak) Date of Field Survey: 9.24.05-249
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission ADDRESS 503 W. Main St. PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-09-402-020-0000 Description Foundation not clearly visible; clapboard (wide gauge) walls (painted white); cornice and corner boards with caps; architectural asphalt shingle side gable roof; half-round gutters. 2 stories; rectangular core; 4 facade bays; 2 elevation piles (on core). Windows with thin muntins. Asymmetrical facade with entrance off-set to left/west. 12/8 double-hung sash left bay. Entrance at grade; door with 5-light sidelights, panels, pilasters on low pedestals framing each in Greek Revival influence. Porch appears to date to c. 1925 with steep hip hood, Doric columns at corners. Two 12/8 double-hung sash in east end bays. 2nd story with 4 12/8 windows over windows & door below. East side gable with 12/8, 2 per story, but right/north rear one is 6/6. West elevation with long, shallow 1 story hip wing, as a two-part enclosed (glassed in) porch. Front section with single 12/8 front and 4 12/8 to west side. Second section projects slightly more, with a 6/6 facing front; side/west with porch door flanked by three 6/6 on either side. Two 6/6 above. An exterior end chimney extended just to the rear/north of the ridge, and is surrounded by the frontmost enclosed porch. Rear wings difficult to view from right-ofway. Rear/2nd story wing undergoing renovation with insulation being applied at time of survey; wall material unknown. 29 See Continuation Sheet, 3rd page
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY ADDRESS 503 W. Main St. Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission PIN/Property Index Number #06-03-09-402-020-0000 History (associated events, people, dates) Among 5 Plainfield properties which were listed in the Inventory of Historic Landmarks in Will County, oriented more toward historic significance. Listed as follows: Plainfield House [Halfway House], 503 Main Street, 1834, Stage inn on Chicago-Ottawa Road. Also post office. Historical marker. Among only three current listings for Plainfield properties in the National Register of Historic Places. Listed on September 29, 1980 for historic significance; should also have been listed for architectural significance. As taken from Plainfield s Historic Urbanized Core Survey Report: Plainfield House, also known as Halfway House or Wight House, was built in 1834, with the first incarnation being a one and one-half story building constructed as a tavern for Squire Arnold. (The original section exists within the structure of the current building.) It also became the first government franchised post office in what eventually became Will County, with James Walker serving as the first postmaster. The location of the building half way between Chicago and Ottawa, on the Chicago and Ottawa Trail (later Main Street) was ideal. The Dr. John Temple Stage Line, later the Frink and Walker Stage Line and the Hinton Stage Line, used Halfway House from 1834-1852. In 1836, Dr. Erastus G. Wight of Naperville leased Arnold s Tavern and some adjoining property; but Plainfield Then and Now also states that Squire Arnold continued to keep the post office at Halfway House until his death in 1845, so the information seems contradictory. Dr. Wight enlarged the building to its present configuration circa 1836-38 with lumber hewn at James Walker s saw mill. The first floor of the house consisted of the tavern, dining room, and kitchen; sleeping rooms were on the second floor, but two fireplaces in the attic meant that was usable space available for sleeping also. Purportedly, a ballroom was also on the second story. Wight had Plainfield House painted on the east side of the building, but the establishment became popularly known as Halfway House or Wight Tavern. A large horse barn was located west of Halfway House, providing space for the stage line horses. Dr. Wight, like many others who settled in Plainfield at this time, was from the east Philadelphia. Wight was reportedly the first practicing physician in northern Illinois, traveling a circuit from Plainfield to Bourbonnais Grove to Chicago Heights, back through Western Springs and occasionally across the state to Rock Island. In 1838, Wight built a two story frame drug store across from Halfway House on Main Street; the exact location is unknown, but it is thought to have been where the apartment building is now, at the northeast corner of Main at Illinois streets. He continued his practice until his death in 1845 and the family continued to operate the inn as late as 1886. The building was a focal point of activity for the region, as a hotel, tavern, and post office; a number of the 1834-35 Cook-Will County land grants were also administered at Halfway House, as well as being a favorite meeting place for the pioneer Methodist circuit riders. The building also served as militia headquarters and artillery park for the Plainfield Light Artillery and Union Greys. Source: A History of Plainfield: Then and Now, pp. 9-10. Sanborn map coverage never extended this far east on West Main St. 30 See main pages 1 & 2, separate sheet.