1014 ST. JOHN STREET
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
1014 St. John Street was constructed in 1925 for Bruno, more commonly known as Ben, and Mabel Ikert at a cost of $6,400. Bruno was a graduate of the Elgin Academy and Elgin High School and was born in 1887. By 1955, Ben was a nationally known editor, lecturer and engineer and was promoted to the position of editor of the Automotive Service Digest. This company also published the well-known Red Book and Blue Book automotive publications. Among his other accolades, he was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and designed and built race cars and sports roadsters, sometimes working from his garage at 1014 St. John Street.
Bruno married Mabel Harlow and they had two children and remained in this home until 1963.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
1014 St. John Street was designed in the Colonial Revival Style, the house fits perfectly with its neighborhood, most of which was built in the 1920s. Colonial Revival was the most popular style in the country from 1880 until the 1950s. Common features seen here include a two story building with side gables, an accentuated front entrance, double hung windows with multi-pane glazing in the top sashes and windows in pairs.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2017 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud