781 W. CHICAGO STREET
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
Silvanus Wilcox’s 2nd Addition to Elgin extended the city to the west and south along W. Chicago Street. The corner of Wilcox Avenue and W. Chicago Street contained lots 2 and 3 of block 2 of Wilcox’s 2nd Addition. In 1890, Wilcox warranted lots 2 and 3 to Maria Ames who was subsequently found insane and passed away in 1902. In 1899, these lots comprised of 1 acre with small outbuildings and a house. In 1911, Maria Ames’ son, Alston Ames, sold both lots 2 and 3 to William Kofmehl who was the Division Roadmaster of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. He lived at 18 S. Union Street and in 1915 started building a house on lot 2 which would become 781 W. Chicago. However, in July of that year, he warranted the under construction house to Fred Koss. Fred was the secretary/treasurer of the Western Casket Hardware Company in Elgin. By purchasing the property, Fred was subject to finishing the construction of the home. Koss did just that and completed the home in 1915. 781 W. Chicago Street remained in the Koss family for next 70 years.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
781 W. Chicago Street is of the American Foursquare typology with an umber of prairie style elements. The Prairie Style featured architectural elements emphasizing the horizontality of the Midwestern landscape. Some common features of the Prairie style seen here include the low pitched hipped roof, hipped dormer, large overhanging eaves, horizontal banding and the offset door entrance.
Sources: 1998 Heritage Plaque Application; Elgin - An American History, E. C. Alft; Audio: TextAloud