124 HINSDELL PLACE

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

124 Hinsdell Place was built in 1890 for Amaziah P. Spitzer as an income property. He purchased the vacant area which became 124 and 128 Hinsdell Place for $3,925 and built identical homes on each plot. Amaziah and his family moved to Elgin in around 1890 where they took residence at 337 Park Street. Amaziah passed away in 1897 and is buried in Bluff City Cemetery. The property was then given to his son, Allen, who transferred the property to Ernest Egler for $1,800 in 1900. Allen and his siblings held onto 128 Hinsdell before selling it in 1903, again to Ernest Egler. The Egler family lived at 133 Hinsdell Place while retaining 124 and 128 Hinsdell as income properties. 124 remained as income property for the Egler family until 1936 when it was deeded to Ora and Anna Leitner. Ora Leitner worked in the family meat market which was established in 1892 at 177 E. Chicago Street. In 1894, the market moved to 201 E. Chicago Street, known as the Leitner Brothers Block. The Leitners were the first owners who actually occupied 124 Hinsdell Place and remained in the home until 1981.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

When Amaziah Spitzer decided to build the twin homes at 124 and 128 Hinsdell Place, he chose a simple and practical design that would not be costly to construct. The homes are homestead style two-story gable front buildings, a common plan for workers housing in the 1890s. Stylistic detialing was often added to enhance these simple designs. In the case of 124 Hinsdell Place, we see an elaborate Italianate style pedimented door hood supported by triangular brackets. The small entry porch, shed--roofed rectangular bay and paired windows are also features of the Italianate style.

TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS