50 N. DUBOIS AVENUE
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
In April 1925, the lot for what eventually became 50 N. DuBois was sold to Carl N. Norlander. The Elgin City Directory for 1923-24 has no listing for 50 N. DuBois Avenue. It is in the 1925-26 edition that the address is first listed among the other homes, with Carl listed as the owner. The Elgin Daily News, reporting on new home building permits in May of 1925, lists Norlander and his DuBois Avenue home at a cost of $6,500. Carl was a brick mason by trade, co-founding Brady Ready Mix, acting as general manager for the William H. Brady Company, and was a president of the Elgin Bricklayers Union 27. He was active in the community, both as a committed member of St. John's Lutheran Church and with the VFW and American Legion posts in town. During the Great Depression when most construction ceased, Norlander used some of his political connections in town to help in relief efforts throughout town. Carl and his wife Ruth lived in 50 N. DuBois from the time it was built until each of their passing. For Carl, that was in 1989, when he died at the age of 93.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
50 N. DuBois Avenue is an example of the bungalow style. As seen above, 50 N. DuBois is one story, exhibits a low pitched roof, hipped dormer, and wide overhanging eaves; all of which elements characteristic of the bungalow style. The front porch is contained within the rest of the house. Some Prairie style elements can be seen, especially in the 14 windows that accentuate the horizontality of the structure.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2004 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud