The landmarked Alexander C. Cameron House is a one-story Craftsman Bungalow and includes a low-pitched cross-gabled roof with wide eaves, brackets under the gable, exposed roof rafters, and battered brick columns that extend to the ground without a break at the porch floor. The Craftsman style was a movement that originated in California in the 1890s and was a reaction against the excessive ornamentation of the Victorian era. A bungalow can be defined as a one to one-and-a-half story house with a low-pitched gable or hip roof and wide eaves.

4632 Main Street is also a kit (or mail order) home manufactured by Harris Brothers Co. of Chicago. Harris Brothers Co. first started selling kit homes in 1907 and by 1918 had established “The Harris Way”; which highlighted the company’s distinguishing characteristics such as liberal terms for payment and money back for waste. Harris Brothers was one of several companies who sold kit homes, however they were unique in that they were initially in the business of wrecking and salvage as opposed to milling and manufacturing. The company was originally known as Chicago House Wrecking Company and has the interesting distinction of being responsible for the disassembly of the first Ferris Wheel, which had been constructed as part of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The plan for 4632 Main Street was known as Harris Home Model No. N-1033.

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