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| "Mama and Linda Howden" Clicking on photograph will enlarge it. |
I drove by the site today and saw a huge parking lot that covered the lots of two homes. Sadly this home, built around 1896, does not exist anymore.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
For 2011: I resolve to work to ensure the survival of the Historic West Side Neighborhood's Residences
Some years ago, a dear friend gave me the photograph (because I love cats) shown below of a home at 834 College St. The young girl in the photograph is 9 years old. I assume the photograph was taken in the autumn because of the leaves on the ground but both mother and daughter are wearing summer dresses.
I drove by the site today and saw a huge parking lot that covered the lots of two homes. Sadly this home, built around 1896, does not exist anymore.
I drove by the site today and saw a huge parking lot that covered the lots of two homes. Sadly this home, built around 1896, does not exist anymore.
Happy New Year - Wishing you 365 days of good luck!
A hundred years ago, the post office was busy delivering hoilday postcards. Here are two examples: (Clicking on images will enlarge them)
This postcard has applied paste jewels and a complete calendar pad.
The owners of our west side house moved in January 1916 so this card has special meaning to me.
This card "wishes all the historic west side neighborhood residents 365 days of good luck!"
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Remember when Gas Stations gave out Calendars? Canterbury Texaco Service
This 1947 Calendar was given to customers of the Canterbury Texaco Service Station that was at Glenwood and South Grand. I believe that a Credit Union now occupies the site.
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| Cool graphics! |
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Timeless Designs by Carl T. Meyer, Residential and Commercial Architect
Carl T. Meyer, was a Springfield architect who designed many homes and commercial buildings in the Westside Springfield area in the 1920s and 1930s. One of these homes is at 1231 West Vine St. Amazingly, although the house was built in the 1930's it's design would fit in a new subdivision. It has been soextremely well maintained that it is almost as if time as stood still for this house.
Carl Meyer also designed many commercial buildings including the Kerasoted Building. For an excellent website and to see the past and present of the Kerasotes building, please use the link below.
http://www.springfieldrewind.com/kerasotes-building-1928
Mr. Meyer also renewed a major Springfield landmark, the South Town Theater. The original theater was built in 1915 and in 1936 a new facade was designed by Carl Meyer. The theater building today is the home of the Walch Studio. The exterior of the theater was recently restored through grant money provided by the city of Springfield.
The theater marquee is stunning at night and is lighted from dusk until 1:00 AM.
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This photograph was taken by Herbert Georg when the house was built  |
http://www.springfieldrewind.com/kerasotes-building-1928
Mr. Meyer also renewed a major Springfield landmark, the South Town Theater. The original theater was built in 1915 and in 1936 a new facade was designed by Carl Meyer. The theater building today is the home of the Walch Studio. The exterior of the theater was recently restored through grant money provided by the city of Springfield.
The theater marquee is stunning at night and is lighted from dusk until 1:00 AM.
Christmas Cards circa 1910
Here are two penny postcards sent in the very early part of the 20th Century. Santa had just discovered the automobile so the reindeer must have gotten the December 24th and 25th off. I sure Sanata enjoyed motoring around the streets of the west side neighborhood delivering his presents.(Clicking on the image will enlarge it)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
An Historic Home at 318 S. Glenwood Avenue
There is a remarkable Craftsman Bungalow at 318 S. Glenwood. It is important for several things - it was designed by Samuel Alexander Bullard, an 1878 graduate from the University of Illinois College of Engineering with a degree in architecture and a former mayor of Springfield. This historic westside neighborhood home was built in 1886 as a two-story Queen Anne with Eastlake trim. Mr. Bullard lived there with his wife Elsie and four children Nellie, Edwin, Clark and Elsie. In 1888 Mr. Bullard was elected a trustee of University of Illinois and he had a thriving architectural practice under the firm name of Bullard and Bullard with his brother George. Among the Springfield buildings designed by Mr. Bullard include many buildings that no longer exist such as the state arsenal and city hall, the Methodist Episcopal church, Christ church, Grace Lutheran church, the Enos school and the Young Men's Christian Association building.
In 1906, the firm of Bullard and Bullard designed an apartment building in the Enos Park Neighborhood.
The design of this building is quite interesting:
513 East Miller Street (Enos Park)
"Barker Flats"
The Barker Flats, is a large brick structure in Classical revival style with Colonial Revival and Praire style touches. Bullard and Bullard designed the building in 1906 and it is typical of the multiple family buildings then being built.
The Enos Park Neighborhood 2007 House tour included this infomration on its web site:
"Because people were not yet used to living in apartments, designers had to make them appear as much like houses as possible. Here Bullard made an effort to appear that units were merely private houses stacked one over another, each floor with its own front and rear porches, modern plate-glass windows, fireplaces and large rooms. Barker's building has been excellently maintained since its completion over 100 years ago. Currently there are three original flats, front to back of the building. The rest are one bedroom and studios and still retain the old world charm of hardwood floors and woodwork, pocket doors, mantelpieces and stem heat radiators.
The second and third floors have received the black iron railings, with a flair of New Orleans."
In 1910, a fire destroyed a large portion of the Bullard Residence at 318 S. Glenwood. The home been in the Queen Anne style but with their children grown the Bullards decided a single story home would be more suitable. Mr. Bullard redesigned the home into a Craftsman Bungalow, an extremely popular house style at that time.
In 1923 Samuel Bullard was elected Mayor of Springfield. Three years later, when he was 73 he died at the home he loved so much. His son, Clark bought the house from the Bullard estate and raised his family there. The family included 6 children so the large attic was converted into three bedrooms and a bath.
Four generations of Bullards have resided in the house. Outside the home you can still see the stone hitching posts, the original carraige step and the lilac bush planted on the wedding day of the original architect Samuel and his wife ( April 19, 1882.)
In 1906, the firm of Bullard and Bullard designed an apartment building in the Enos Park Neighborhood.
The design of this building is quite interesting:
513 East Miller Street (Enos Park)
"Barker Flats"
The Barker Flats, is a large brick structure in Classical revival style with Colonial Revival and Praire style touches. Bullard and Bullard designed the building in 1906 and it is typical of the multiple family buildings then being built.
The Enos Park Neighborhood 2007 House tour included this infomration on its web site:
"Because people were not yet used to living in apartments, designers had to make them appear as much like houses as possible. Here Bullard made an effort to appear that units were merely private houses stacked one over another, each floor with its own front and rear porches, modern plate-glass windows, fireplaces and large rooms. Barker's building has been excellently maintained since its completion over 100 years ago. Currently there are three original flats, front to back of the building. The rest are one bedroom and studios and still retain the old world charm of hardwood floors and woodwork, pocket doors, mantelpieces and stem heat radiators.
The second and third floors have received the black iron railings, with a flair of New Orleans."
In 1910, a fire destroyed a large portion of the Bullard Residence at 318 S. Glenwood. The home been in the Queen Anne style but with their children grown the Bullards decided a single story home would be more suitable. Mr. Bullard redesigned the home into a Craftsman Bungalow, an extremely popular house style at that time.
In 1923 Samuel Bullard was elected Mayor of Springfield. Three years later, when he was 73 he died at the home he loved so much. His son, Clark bought the house from the Bullard estate and raised his family there. The family included 6 children so the large attic was converted into three bedrooms and a bath.
Four generations of Bullards have resided in the house. Outside the home you can still see the stone hitching posts, the original carraige step and the lilac bush planted on the wedding day of the original architect Samuel and his wife ( April 19, 1882.)
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