575 FRANKLIN BOULEVARD
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
The builder was Frank Deihs who bought land for and built at least 24 homes between 1922 and 1930. Most of his homes are still standing and many of them were bungalows such as this one. He met an untimely death when the airplane he was piloting in Carpentersville crashed. Ten thousand people witnessed the accident. He was only 34-years-old at the time.
The owners of the house made their living in quite a different manner. Chris Buerk managed a restaurant at 15 N. Grove while his wife, Ruby, worked there as a waitress. There is virtually no evidence that they lived in the home on Franklin, so it is assumed that the couple were landlords of the home and lived above the restaurant.
In 1934, the house went into foreclosure and was sold to Frank and Joanna Schaaf in 1935. They chose to rent out the home as well and lived elsewhere.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
This one-and-a-half story brick, hipped-roof bungalow was constructed in 1928 for Chris and Ruby Buerk. Although less ornate than its more high style counterparts such as the Craftsman, Chicago or Spanish Revival Bungalow sub-types, this vernacular style bungalow is the most prevalent of its sub-type found in Elgin. As would be typical of a vernacular style building, this house incorporates architectural elements from various designs including its simple rectangular shape, low sloped roof, and overhanging eaves. It also has a full front porch, four over one double hung windows, and dormers on several sides.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2015 Heritage Plaque Application