1900 Real Estate Ads Bakers' Real Estate Agency, Myers Building

In 1900 the Bakers' Real Estate Agency placed this page of ads in the State Manual. The desciptions of the property  are great, and the prices are wonderful!  The real estate was probably late Victorian cottages as bungalows and four squares. 
(Please click on the image to enlarge for reading).  Alternatively, printing it will give a good copy to read.

Getting ready for winter!

Lots of West side neighbors were out getting their houses ready for winter....We have a lot of pride in out neighborhood.

Last week Mike and I "power washed" out front porch floor tiles. They were set in a bed of concrete 90 years ago and probably just had their first bath!

Instead of rushing through the intersection at Lawrence and MacArthur, think about "Hands Across America"!

When I moved to Springfield, I moved into an upper flat near the corner of Lawrence and MacArthur. The sounds of squealing brakes were all too common but I loved the area. The flat has spacious rooms and wonderful architectural details. Coming from living in small apartments that were part of large complexes, I loved the charms and convenience of the building. But the landscape was much different then --

What started out in 1900 as stores with living quarters above became all residential - for me it was a unique place to live ----

                                                   Here is what it looked like in 1985 -



But the corner looked far different in 1967 -

The corner lot that is now a garden appeared like this:

On May 25, 1986 - this traffic- troubled area played a part in the national effort "Hands Across America."   People from NYC to California formed a human chain to show support for the unfortunate of America. The route went through Springfield  on Lawrence.  Illinois had the longest unbroken chain and 50 Lincoln impersonators participated in Springfield. At 2:00 PM all radios stations played the theme song "Hands Across America" simultaneously.

Then (1967)

And now (2010)



Here on the West Side we live with our history -- Buildings don't have expiration dates on them!

Home with Naturalist History on 705 W. Vine St.

Built in 1924, This sturdy bungalow was the home base for Virginia Eifert as she traveled in the Midwest writing about our abundant nature. Mrs. Eifert produced eighteen volumes of nature writing, cultural history, and biography, along with hundreds of articles on natural history subjects.

Virginia at the Illinois State Museum

For more information on Virginia's legacy to nature, please be sure to visit this link:

http://virginia.larryeifert.com/




 The 2 to 3 bedroom home has wonderful details in the brick and substantial porch pillars. Her son, Larry Eifert ( http://larryeifert.com/ ) has shared the following photographs of the interior home as it was when he grew up there:




Gracious Dining table in 1942





Fireplace in 1942

The Dining table reflects Virginia's travels

The House appearance has evolved since it was built. Here is a 1940's photograph:

A most wonderful front door.

This ad appears to be from the 1950's and I believe the porch must have been enclosed by this time:

1967 photograph