950 W. HIGHLAND AVENUE
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
In 1914, lot 1 of McQueen’s Addition to Elgin had become home to the Prairie style home at 950 W. Highland Avenue. It was first owned by Fred A. Hubbard who hired George E. Morris, to design the home.
Sometimes referred to as "The Dr. Lawrence and Mrs. Eldora Hughes Home," 950 W. Highland Avenue was once home to a local ophthalmologist, Lawrence J. Hughes. Hughes was featured in a number of books in the 1910s to 1920s, noting his ophthalmology studies. He was also a speaker at the 1913 annual meeting of the Kane County Medical Society.
950 W. Highland was designed by George E. Morris. Morris was born in Ravenna, Ohio. He graduated from Armour Institute of Technology (now lIT) in 1898. Morris designed numerous business buildings, hospitals, and schools in Elgin including a few Elgin homes such as 940 Douglas Avenue. He was the architect for the Wait-Ross-Allanson Funeral Church on Center Street. With associate Ralph Abell, he designed additions to old Elgin High School and the Elgin National Watch Company. Morris' design skills produced buildings in cities and towns surrounding Elgin and in Wisconsin. He was a member of the Illinois Society of Architects and a man whose good heart was known to the Elks, Eagles, and the Rotary Club. Morris outlived two wives; himself passing on in August 1941.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
950 W. Highland is an excellent example of Prairie style architecture. The importance of the Prairie style is particularly meaningful here in Elgin, as it is a style that has its origins in Chicago. Some of the significant features include the low-pitched, ceramic tile hipped roof, broad overhanging eaves, and grouped casement windows with an incorporated geometric design. Paramount to the character-defining features is the focus on the horizontal, a key component of the Prairie style and one that is a nod to the flat Midwestern landscape.
TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS
Sources: 1989 Heritage Plaque Application; Audio: TextAloud