Village Invites Sears Home Owners to be Part of Preservation Effort

Preserving the unique architectural character of Downers Grove is not only a priority for residents, it's also part of the Village of Downers Grove's strategic plan. Now, homeowners thinking about pursuing historic designation for their home is encouraged to contact the village and find out more about the process.

"The village council was clear: they want this to be an owner-driven process," said Jeff O'Brien, senior village planner.

The groundwork is in place, as the village's historic preservation plan incorporates a list of historic buildings and houses which have "contributed to the growth and history of the village," including the large number of local Sears homes, many of which will be featured during a Downers Grove Park District Trolley Tour Sept. 18.

Sears Catalog Homes were purchased as kits, including the pattern and all materials, and were sold from about 1908 to 1940. The kits had to shipped by train, which was why so many ended up in Downers Grove, particularly in areas within close proximity to the tracks.

O'Brien explained that the village worked with Sears home expert and Downers Grove resident Bob Jensen to identify and document the location of potentially historic homes. A 1999 village survey identified 43 Sears homes and an additional 18 homes which have not been confirmed as Sears homes. In 2008, according to the village's Historic Preservation Plan, village staff reviewed the original survey and found the majority of these houses intact.

Jensen has been documenting Sears homes for 20 years. When he began, the interest in, and information on, these kit homes was almost nonexistent. He found one book in the Downers Grove Public Library that had not circulated much.

"I had to blow half an inch of dust off of it," he said. Now, after learning about the 450 styles of Sears homes and becoming familiar with the telltale signs of a kit home, Jensen's research not only has helped Downers Grove record its history, but is also in a book in the Library of Congress.

Because historic designations need to have the full support of homeowners, O'Brien has presented information about the benefits of preservation to local groups, including the Downers Grove Historical Society, Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance, and the Downers Grove Coalition for Managed Development. These groups are then encouraged to talk to their members about historic preservation.

"Groups like this are tied into the fabric of these neighborhoods." he said.

The village has two locally designated landmark homes: the Drew House at 5256 Carpenter St. and the David Kline House at 1741 Prairie Ave. A preservation easement, or a legal agreement that the owner will seek pre-approval for any significant exterior change over this property has been dedicated to the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. 

The village has no designated historic districts but does have honorary districts named by the Downers Grove Historic Society as well as 31 homes designated by the village as Centennial homes. Neither of these honorary designations comes with any financial benefits, but they also impose no restrictions on owners.

Taking the time to pursue historic designation for a home can benefit the homeowner, the neighborhood and the village as a whole. The owner of a certified historic house might be able to participate in a property tax freeze program.

Historic designation also gives residents one more tool to help them maintain the character of their neighborhoods. O'Brien notes that Sears homes represent an ideal size and building footprint for the many of the village's lots.

"The village gets to maintain its heritage," O'Brien said.

The abundance of Sears homes in Downers Grove already has positively impacted many village taxing bodies and businesses financially. The Downers Grove Park District offers tours of neighborhoods and the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation markets the village's Sears home heritage.  Jensen has hosted groups from out of state, who have spent nights in local hotels and had meals in Downers Grove restaurants.

Sears homes not only represent "part of Americana," but the products themselves have held up because of the quality of the plans and the materials, Jensen says.

Amy Johnson Balicki knows about the quality of Sears homes. Her father was raised in one, her aunt owns one, and now Johnson Balicki and her husband are raising their four children in an Elmhurst model Sears home.

Her family intends to preserve the home's integrity, but Johnson Balicki still has concerns about historic designation—proving that every homeowner needs to weigh the benefits and potential burdens of historic designation. "I'm afraid that it can place limitations on what I can do as a homeowner." she said.

Johnson Balicki understands the value of the home not only to her family but also to her neighborhood, but needs the flexibility to be able to make changes or resell it if need be. Sears homes are classic and durable, but not always set up for the contemporary family. The Johnson Balickis, for example, have one and one-half bathrooms for six people.

Information about the historic preservation designation process can be found on the village website.