So I did a drive-by and this is what I saw.
The house was built around 1930 and at some point it underwent an insensitive remodeling. I cannot even speculate what Wardway model it might have been originally since the house has been completely disfigured.
This is an authenticated Wardway house. The original owners foreclosed and Montgomery Ward owned the property in 1940, according to Cook County records.
I can't understand how someone could take a cute kit home and turn it into this. However, this example shows how important it is that people are made aware of kit homes in our area and how special they are. These homes should be treasured and preserved.
What is interesting is that the front door might give a clue to the house's origin as a Wardway home. Often the Wardway models had "mock" arched doors. That is, the door was rectangular but had a wooden semicircle placed above it to give the appearance of an arched door. You can see this setup with the house's current door.
Here is a comparison of the mock arched door on a Wardway house and the house in Arlington Heights. They certainly look similar.
I can't understand how someone could take a cute kit home and turn it into this. However, this example shows how important it is that people are made aware of kit homes in our area and how special they are. These homes should be treasured and preserved.
What is interesting is that the front door might give a clue to the house's origin as a Wardway home. Often the Wardway models had "mock" arched doors. That is, the door was rectangular but had a wooden semicircle placed above it to give the appearance of an arched door. You can see this setup with the house's current door.
Here is a comparison of the mock arched door on a Wardway house and the house in Arlington Heights. They certainly look similar.
3 comments:
Urgh--it could hardly be any more painful. Looks like a 1970s destroy-renovation. And it certainly tops my Fullerton (thanks for visiting!) in terms of insensitive remodels.
It would be very interesting to know which Wardway it was--even just to contrast them. Perhaps the second story was added?
its on pine street ..It was remodled in aprox 1980
You don't happen to have an old photo, do you? I was looking to see if there was a historic photo of the street (pre-1980's) and saw that there was a big estate sale held at the house in 1978. I assume the "renovations" were done shortly after that.
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