621 OAK STREET
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
In the 1925-26 Elgin City Directory, Israel Henise and his son, Oscar, are listed at 621 Oak Street, the first residents to reside in a home on the property. Prior to their Oak Street address, Henise lived at 614 Orange Street.
Israel Henise worked at the Elgin Watch Factory. Born in the 1860s, Israel moved to Illinois from Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Sarah, had eight children together, but by the 1920 U.S. Census, he is listed in Elgin as a widower.
After passing away in 1941, the house stayed in the possession of the Henise family until 1980 when it was sold. Later, the house was purchased and rehabilitated.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The front facing gabled house at 621 Oak Street is a nice example of the one-and-half-story bungalow type. Bungalows frequently exhibited partial-width porches with a rectangular plan and prevailed during the 1920s. Craftsman elements are also featured including the low pitched roof, the craftsman style 4-over-1 double-hung, grouped windows, and the engaged porch (now enclosed). The exposed rafter ends on the eaves of the porch and side elevations of the home are highly indicative of the Craftsman style as well.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 2000 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud