225 VILLA STREET
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
225 Villa Street was built for Angeline Corbey in 1905 and designed by notable Elgin architect, William Wright Abell for $3,800. It is no surprise that Mrs. Corbey selected Abell as her architect as he was a relative by marriage.
Angeline had this home constructed for her and her children, Leon and Louise. Angeline worked at the Elgin National Watch Factory in the dial room and was later a blocker. Interestingly, her name on her tombstone appears as “E-N-G-E-L” which is German for Angel! The Corbeys remained in the home for 55 years selling it in 1960.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
225 Villa Street is two-story house, with a flared hipped roof is perhaps best described as transitional home due to its varying use of multiple styles, though many details were specialties of the architect. The floor plan echoes that of the American Foursquare, with living room, dining room and kitchen on the first story and bedrooms upstairs.
The impressive front elevation with its projecting balcony and shingle-clad walls, geometric corbels, ornamental roof supports and quatrefoil decoration is seen in a number of other W. W. Abell designs. The scrollwork handrail is a unique feature to this home.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2021 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud