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.)