This landmarked Queen Anne home in Straube’s Subdivision includes many of the features of a Queen Anne style of house, including the original wood clapboard, wood shingles on the 2nd story, rounded dining room bay, and hipped roof with cross gables that are projecting. There is also a full front porch, a recessed balcony, original decorative ornamentation on both the north and west side, and a chimney on the west side. The house’s ‘balloon frame’ is built on a foundation of stone. All the windows are original and are wood and double hung with chain cording except for those located in the rear addition. Some of the stained glass is original or was salvaged and incorporated into the new windows.

This two-story Queen Anne home was designed and constructed in 1895 by William James Herring, an architect, builder, and contractor who has worked on other prominent buildings in Downers Grove. These buildings include the original Methodist Episcopal Church (1032 Maple Avenue- currently the First United Methodist Church), the Farmer’s and Merchant’s Bank constructed circa 1892 (5135 Main Street), the Oldfield block (southeast corner of Main Street and Curtiss Street), Central block (5120 Main Street), and Gable-Ell home is on a corner lot with a dominant gable facing each street. The projecting L-shaped cross-gables are a distinguishing feature and indicate the footprint of the original building. The wrap-around screened porch is not original (circa 1900) and encloses the wood panel front door. The house is built on a foundation of stone. All the windows are original and are wood and double hung. Interior features include the original fireplace with decorative tile. The flooring and doors are also original.

For more information, see the Village of Downers Grove Landmarking Resolution for this house.