335 N. COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
335 N. Commonwealth Avenue was built for John and Minnie Krause at a cost of $5,000 in 1932. It is remarkable that in 1932 when housing starts were down 52% in the aftermath of the Great Depression, Krause did not finance the house.
John Krause was born in Germany around 1872. His father and his mother, Caroline Wilhelmina Knickrehm were also born in Germany. John immigrated in 1884 and became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In 1910, the Krauses lived on South State Street in Elgin. The family consisted of: John, 38; Minnie, 37; Ella, 16; Irene, 14; Gladys M. 11; and Walter, 9. The 1920 census finds John and spouse Minnie living at 524 S. State Street with Gladys and Walter. John was working as foreman in a packing house.
John and Minnie were never listed as occupants of the house on Commonwealth, but retained ownership until 1954. Perhaps it was built as a gift to their youngest daughter, Gladys, born May 1, 1899, and who occupied it for nearly twenty years with her several husbands.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
335 N. Commonwealth was built in the Tudor Revival Style that was popular in the United States from 1890 until 1940. Defining features seen on this home include the steeply pitched roof, a front facing gable with varying eave heights, a massive chimney, and decorative half-timbering as seen in the gable on the vestibule. Another significant feature to this home is the patterned brickwork known as skintled brick. This type of masonry was very popular in Elgin during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
A metal plaque set into the brick beside the door on the north elevation says: “Built by Coleman Miller, builder of beautiful homes, quality throughout”. The plaque lists a plan number, 32431, which suggests that the design was taken from a yet-to-be identified plan book.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2020 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud