701 LINDEN AVENUE

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

The property at 701 Linden Avenue was once described as a "very deep yard that will be a gardener's delight." The property was subdivided by two brothers, Edward and Alvin Lohbauer, in October of 1928. At this time, it was the peak of land acquisition and building in Elgin. Both brothers used the land to build their future homes, where Alvin was at 701 Linden and Edward at 691 Linden. Alvin Lohbauer was in the sheet metal business while his other brothers, Edward and Arnold went into business as Lohbauer Brothers, electrical contractors. 

Alvin Lohbauer was one of a large family of Lohbauers who lived in the Lord's Park area and to this day, family members continue to live there! Alvin founded Lohbauer Sheet Metal, operating the company for twenty-one years. Alvin passed away in 1980; his wife, Anna, passed away in 1988.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

701 Linden Avenue is a contributing structure in the neighborhood and built in the Tudor Revival Style. The Tudor Revival style is the second most well represented historic style in this area, with eighteen single family homes and one apartment building in this style. All of the significant Tudor Revival houses in this area are relatively small for this style but are generally rich in stylistic detail. 

701 Linden Avenue is a two story brick clad house with a steep, side gabled roof. A steeply roofed, front facing gable sections projects out from the front facade, serving as the front entry. Windows in the upper and lower facade are grouped in threes. On the northeast facade, a tall exterior chimney is clad in the same color brick as the house. A single story extension is on the rear of the house with an additional extension clad in lighter brick, done later. The southeast facade has two entry doors and windows placed in the facade are in a stepped pattern as a nod to decoration.

TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS


Sources: 2009 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud