1844 Judge Barry House[1]
217 Cedar Ave., St. Charles
SIGNIFICANCE: Home of prominent Kane County judge and lawyer for nearly 50 years.
RISK: Demolition hearing on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 7pm at 2 E. Main Street, St. Charles.
Early white settlers to the Fox Valley built the simplest structures; it was all they had the time and money to do. Fortunately, a remarkable number of them remain in the Tri-Cities today. Unfortunately, their age and incompatibility with modern needs make these early settlement buildings the ones at most risk of being torn down.
The Tri-Cities are peppered with these little buildings, made of our local limestone, or sometimes made of wood or brick. These buildings may not be associated with any one person of distinct historical significance, nor may they be elaborately decorated (both of which are characteristics that commonly peg a building as “preservation-worthy”). Many of these buildings are squeezed between large, opposing neighbors, tucked away off the street, or hidden behind overgrown plant life. Sometimes, they even have facelifts that hide their age and significance.
The humble proportions and use of everyday materials define what is most remarkable about these little structures. Hewn from nearby trees and the rocky earth upon which they stood; they were the first buildings that defined the character of our early cities. Having stood the test of time and the onslaught of new development, these remaining early settlement buildings are a testament to their excellent, thoughtful, and practical construction. In contrast, many buildings constructed with modern techniques and materials will come and go in our lifetimes.
1846 Blacksmith Shop[2]
4 E. State St., Geneva
SIGNIFICANCE: Multi-use water-powered industrial building and Mill Race Inn restaurant.
RISK: Demolition by neglect. Owner to be fined up to $750/day if not protected from weather by October 17, 2024.
As the internet widens our global community and more of our lives rely on the ephemeral nature of the Digital Age, tangible anchors to our history that are preserved are becoming increasingly important. It is uniquely human to experience an inherent longing for the past because the past anchors us to a place in which we feel like we belong. But, where is that place when our reliance on abstract technology grows daily? How do we have tangible connections with our past? By looking at our historic architecture, we can find that place of belonging outside ourselves and satisfy that inherent longing for connection in our communities. Take a walk in the historic districts of St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia and see these vestiges of history!
Progress is a natural thing, and the success of our communities can be largely attributed to the progress facilitated by entrepreneurs, developers, and far-sighted elected officials. The success of our communities is also due, in part, to the early architecture that is unique to our area. Each of the Tri-Cities is quaint and historic with bustling downtowns, nestled along the picturesque Fox River. What sets St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia apart from other communities in Illinois is the quantity and quality of our early settlement architecture.
c. 1846 Amasa White House[3]
757 E. Fabyan Pkwy, Geneva
SIGNIFICANCE: Home of a prominent family in Geneva and Batavia.
RISK: Unoccupied. Owner planning roof repairs to preserve the structure.
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[1] Photo by Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, September 12, 2024.
[2] Photo by Al Watts, April 13, 2023.
[3] Photo by Kelsey Shipton, April 24, 2023.