1136 BELLEVUE AVENUE
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
1136 Bellevue was built in 1915 for August and Eliza Geldmacher for $2,500. August was listed in the Elgin City Directories as a carpenter and contractor and was noted as the builder of this home. The Geldmachers resided in the home for 5 years before selling it to Sophie Rapp, a widow. Sophie and her daughter, Martha, only stayed at 1136 Bellevue until 1922 when the house was purchased by Richard and Mabel Breslich.
Richard and his brother, William, owned and operated a grocery store located at 71 S. Grove Avenue. This grocery was previously owned and operated by Meierhoff and Rehage who displayed their fresh produce outside to entice customers to shop in their store. It was noted that their housewives visited each of them every day.
The Breslich’s lived at 1136 for 40 years before renting the property to Myron Yonker, who was the superintendent of the merchandise department at the Cook Publishing Company. A year later, the home was sold to Richard’s daughter, Phyllis, and her husband, William Farmer. William was a World War II Veteran and served as a Captain in the Elgin Fire Department, retiring after 24 years of service. The Farmers occupied the home for over 10 years.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
1136 Bellevue Avenue is considered an excellent example of a Prairie Style American Foursquare. The style is defined by a low-pitched hipped roof with wide eaves on a predominately two-story structure with one-story wings or porches, massive square porch supports and detailing emphasizing the horizontal line. In the case of 1136 Bellevue Avenue, all these characteristics are present, although on a modest scale.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2016 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud