1015 DOUGLAS AVENUE

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

1015 Douglas Avenue was built for William and Mathilda Abelmann in 1922. They commissioned Ralph Elliot Abell, son of noted architect William Wright Abell. Ralph was born in Elgin in 1880 and after graduating from the University of Illinois, he continued his studies at Cornell University where he earned his master’s degree. He began practice as an architect in 1905 with his father. He designed many public buildings in Chicago and Elgin including the Masonic Temple at 310 E. Chicago St, the Elleana Apartments at 398 E. Chicago Street, and an addition to the Elgin High School. He also designed the previously demolished Crocker Theater and two homes in the district including 1015 and 1025 Douglas Avenue.

William Henry Abelmann was born in Palatine, in 1883 and was an insurance agent in Elgin specializing in insurance for fire and tornado damage. He married Mathilda Meyer and they resided in this home for 35 years before moving to California. The Abelmann’s sold the home to Virginia Libby, a widow who was married to Jules Libby, a prominent business man in Elgin who was the President of the Libby Neon Product Company which was located in what is now the Shoe Factory Apartments. She remained in the home only four short years before selling it to Dr. Richard Whitlock who was an obstetrician having delivered over 9,000 babies. He was also a World War II Army veteran and served as a battalion and regimental surgeon during the war. Dr. Whitlock remained in the home for 33 years.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

1015 Douglas Avenue was built at a time where the dominant style for domestic architecture throughout the nation was the Colonial Revival Style. There were sub-types of this style and shifted with changing fashion. This particular home is an example of the hipped roof sub-type which comprised of 20% of Colonial Revival style homes. In its simplistic sense, it is a two-story rectangular house with a hipped roof and a small entry porch covering less than the full width of the façade.

At the turn of the century, early examples of this style included detailing that tended to be highly exaggerated with awkward proportions. However, after 1920, this style began to borrow elements of its Georgian or Federal precedents.

Typical of this style is the use of masonry, presence of a segmental arched front entry portico with a fanlight over the door and the use of Corinthian columns that is borrowed from the Georgian Revival style. Other elements of the Georgian Revival include its singular six-over-six double-hung windows and pedimented dormers. The home also boasts one-story wings or side that flank the main body of the home which are common in revivals but not found on original examples of the style.

Sources: 2016 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud