391 FULTON STREET
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
The home at 391 Fulton Street is built on the site of what was once a cobblestone duplex. At one time, it is estimated that Elgin had over 100 cobblestone buildings. Of the few that remain, the most notable Elgin cobblestone is the Nancy Kimball house, located at 302 W. Chicago Street.
391 Fulton Street is also located within the Elgin Historic District, near Gifford Park. Because this home used to be a duplex, its own history fits in well with the surrounding buildings and the overall history of this area of Elgin. The National Register of Historic Places nomination form for the Elgin Historic District notes that the factory-driven economy in Elgin, the Watch Factory in particular, helped shape the infrastructure of the area – notably producing many brick flats and apartments.
It was featured on the 1996 installment of the Gifford Park Association’s annual historic walking tour.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
391 Fulton Street is a nice example of the Dutch Colonial Revival style. This sub-type is best identified by the gambrel roof style. The cross-gambrel roof seen here is common in the Colonial Revival style. The full-width front porch with Tuscan columns is also a character-defining feature. The wood, double-hung, one-over-one windows with the wood clapboard siding are also common of the style.
With alterations on this structure being relatively minor, the 2008 Architectural and historical Survey conducted notes that this structure and its history are contributing the significance of the local neighborhood.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 1991 Heritage Plaque Application; National Register of Historic Places Application; Audio: TextAloud