A significant housing development was built between 1903 and 1905 in a centrally located Oak Park plot, bounded by Harrison, Madison, Kenilworth and Home. The Historic Preservation Commission is starting the process of nominating this neighborhood to receiving historic status.
This column is in support of the proposal.
The planning, design and construction of the 176 homes was directed by Thomas S. Hulbert, the developer. A subtle but significant reason for the development’s success is that the homes are secluded, with few bad building lots. Four of the lots are parallel to the Eisenhower Expressway, while four are aligned and facing the busy commercial Madison Street. The balance of the lots enjoy good views, a quiet atmosphere and arboretum-quality, tree-lined streets. With these premium housing lots Hulbert went to work with his architects. The plans are very efficient and flexible and larger than the adjacent development lots.
Employing aggressive marketing, here’s how Hulbert described the development in one of his print advertisements:
“RESIDENCES ONLY – No flats allowed (rental apartments); $4500 to $7000, on payments any buyer can easily make. Do you realize that the attractive, artistic house is more the product of careful thought and effort than extra cost?”
The pitch ended with a description of this prime location and its convenience.
The savvy developer employed four architects to design the houses, creating variety and unity within the streets. The facades with their one-story porches and hip roofs are stately — finished in brick, painted wood siding and stucco. The trim details, decorative handrails, soffit patterns, dormers, balusters, support columns and double-hung windows produce endless human-scale niceties to discover.
Hulbert devised this for a new suburb designed to entice the growing middle class. His formula is relevant today with the majority of buyers moving from the city to take advantage of the tree-lined streets and beautiful vintage homes. On the whole, the houses have been well maintained and not suffered from the teardown mentality of the last 20 years.
Carefully designed additions and enclosure of porches are the major revisions to this elegant neighborhood. There are no empty lots or poorly maintained houses giving testimony to the value of this enclave. A historic district would give us some vital protection against those interested in altering a façade that is unsympathetic and out of character with the original design. Additions to the side or rear yards that are visible from the street must be set back, consistent in scale and not change the historic character of the building.
The Historic Preservation Commission policies are good for the owners and morally correct for the neighborhood. One bad decision can ruin the integrity of the street and compromise the authenticity of the block.
The Hulbert houses stand as a hidden treasure in south Oak Park. The subdivision seamlessly blends with the adjacent neighborhoods. The district is more than worthy to become a historic site.
These 176 homes have stood the test of time and should be protected as the Gunderson District was designated years ago. This potential designation is a great opportunity for Oak Park to continue the expansion of our outdoor museum.
Garret Eakin is an award winning residential architect, a preservationist, member of the Oak Park Plan Commission, and an adjunct full professor at the School of the Art Institute.
