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EF AR -- a December 3, 1927 WINNETKA TALK News of Activity on the North Shore WHY ALL CHICAGO WOULD LIVE ON NORTH SHORE No Civic Apathy Nor Political Helplessness Here; All Interests Centered in Home Building By Stuart I. Drum I have often wondered if all the people residing on the north shore fully appreciate what it really means to be a home owner and to live in this most favored section? This thought was strengthened by the splendid boost which the north shore was given at the recent state convention of real estate dealers, where the North Shore Real Estate Board, in its display in the parade, among other mottoes, so forcefully displayed this one: "Where all Chicagoans Would Live if They Could," and to which was appended the names of the several ideal and thriving villages along the lake, from Wilmette to Highland Park, together with their sister villages to the immediate west, which are rapidly growing to the very borders of the lake shore towns. And, only last Sunday, in oae of the leading daily newspapers of Chicago, was an editorial setting forth another reason why so many people have treck- ed their way from Chicago to the north shore to live; why thousands of others would do so if they could aad why other thousands will do so as soon as they can. The editorial is entitled, "Asking Help From the Suburbs." In substance, the main thought expressed, is that the favored suburbs of Chicago should come into Chicago in order to help purge that city of its civic apathy and political helplessness. Came to Build Homes Like our forefathers, who came to this country for freedom, so have the north shore citizens come to the north shore to develop their homes amidst the most ideal civic surroundings and where, with the aid of nature, as a natural setting, they have carved out the most beautiful, comfortable and very frequently elaborate home sites to be found in any section of a similar size in the world. Why should they want to be en- gulfed by crime-ridden Chicago? Why should they not oppose the ex- tension of apartment and business zoning to their territory, other than what has already been provided for? Why should they not oppose the effort which is often made to modify downward the building and zoning ordinances of the villages whose pro- visions have so clearly demonstrated the wisdom and vision of their au- thors? It is little wonder that the pretty fifty, sixty, seventy-five and one hun- dred foot lots, and, even acre tracts, into which the north shore area was subdivided, have within a comparative- ly few years, been developed into these ideal home sites. And those who have come, have re- mained. Thousands of others are com- ing and other thousands want to come. But there is a limit to the vacant lots on which to build, and all these things account for the increased de- mand which the north shore real estate market enjoys, and for the gradual increase in valuations which those who are here, understand per- fectly, and which, often times, those (Continued on page 74) Real Estate Section March of Time Ends Usefulness Old Dennis home known as "Tower House" in Glencoe which is to be razed to make way for subdivision. The land was purchased in 1884 for only $1,000. Wilmette Leads Suburbs in Building; Winnetka, Glencoe Show Good Gains Building volume gains in numerous suburbs for October indicate that in the metropolitan area many suburbs are maintaining a place that outrivals hundreds of cities throughout the coun- try. Despite an indicated 10 percent loss in building construction over the country . generally several important suburbs continued to make high gains in October. Wilmette eclipsed all the suburbs in October, 1927, gains over the same month last year by making a two hundred and one percent gain, according to S. W. Straus & company. This position is determined on the basis of the 21 important suburbs re- porting. Another north shore suburb, Glencoe, made 159 percent gain in October as against October, 1926. Oak Park showed a 10 percent gain while its ancient rival, Evanston, could only display a loss. The low percen- tage of gain in Oak Park, however, and the loss in Evanston may be taken to indcate, according to the report, that the hope in building activity for the next two months lies in the smaller and more distant suburbs than those immediately adjoining the city. Other suburbs making gains and their percentages of October gaias were as follows: Des Plaines, 77 per- cent; Highland Park, 51 percent; Joliet, 59 percent and Winnetka, 39 percent. In the comparison between October and September this year Wilmette made a phenominal gain of 735 percent. Other suburbs which made gains in October this year over September and WHO REMOVES SIGNS? Report that "For Sale" signs owned by .realtors of the north shore have mysteriously disappear- ed in the last few days, has resulted in the starting of an investigation to ~discover the person or persons responsible for the removals. The police departments of several north shore suburbs have been notified and prosecution will follow if the culprits are caught. their percentages of gains were as follows: Berwyn, 50 percent; Des Plaines, 52 percent; Elgin, 24 percent; Harvey, 42 percent; Highland Park, 128 percent; Joliet, 375 Perceat; Wau- kegan, 20 percent; Wheaton, 207 per- cent; Winnetka, 133 percent and Gary, 59 percent. Comparative figures for 1926 and 1927 were: Oct., 1927 Oct., 1926 October, AUPOPR «i oriuriens $ 208,165 290,746 BerWYR . «oven vvvine 639,400 944,100 Blue Island ....... 79,690 192,866 Cleere «cv ven nine 202,230 658,562 Des plaines ........ 138,425 78,040 Elgin ..0 5 oa 150,900 360,545 Evanston .......... 758,150 1,784,550 Glencoe Ja... over. 82,057 31,562 Harvey .i...... ne. 2016,644 =e Highland Park .... 400,000* 264,150 Niles Center ....... 102,750 186,626 Oak Park .. . 543,628 Waukegan 379,987 Wilmette 115,220 Winnetka 234,875 *Note--In case of Highland Park the figure of $400,000 is an approximate esti- mate subject to check by the Highland Park Building commissioner. Builders Speed Up Construction Work PICTURESQUE LANDMARK SOON GOES TO WRECKERS The "Tower House" in Glencoe, Charles M. Dennis Homestead, to Be Razed By E. T. Selby When the work of tearing down the Charles M. Dennis homestead at 773 Greenleaf avenue is started to make way for the development of the new Dennis Lane sub-division planned for this section of the village, one of the most picturesque old landmarks of the north shore will bow to the ad- vance of progress. With its going, also will pass one of the outstanding monuments of the efficiency of advertising, for it was from plans which a Worchester, Mass., architect had advertised and which at- tracted the attention of Mr. Dennis, that this home was built, in 1886. Purchased Land for $1,000 Mr. Dennis, who, two years previous- ly, had purchased the site on which to build, for only $1,000, was at that time serving the village of Gleacoe as its postmaster. There came to his address, one day, a pamphlet from the Massachusetts city, in which ap- peared the advertisement of an archi- tect in that place. There was a picture of the house, and it at once appealed to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis as the realization of what they had long visioned as their cher- ished plans for a home. Completed, and in one of the pret- tiest settings on the north shore, it has long been admired by everyone who has seen it. It stands on a tract of ground, having a frontage of 325 feet on Greenleaf avenue, high, and overlooking to the north and east, deeply wooded ravines. Its depth line on the south extends back 391 feet, while on the north the depth is 527 feet, comprising a total of two and three-quarter acres. Eleven Rooms In House There are eleven rooms in the house, which is of solid brick, with rubble stone trim. A massive tower rises from the front of the building, from which the place has long been known as "The Tower House." The brick, from which the tower is constructed, Mr. Dennis recalls were made to order, by a firm in Racine, Wis, and cost, even in that early day, $30 per thou- sand. The rooms in the house are very large, with high ceilings, and there is only one bath room. The house was built by day labor, and Mr. Dennis has no record nor recollection as to its total cost at that time, but he recalls very vividly, that he paid only $1.000 for the two and three-quarter acres of ground. Two Story House Is Being Moved Across Central Ave. The two story building known as the Clampitt residence, on the south side of Central avenue, east of Wilmette avenue, is being moved by Martin Jacobson, who purchased it, to the Cusack proverty on Eleventh street north of Central avenue. The new business block for the Wolff-Griffis, Inc.. hardware store is to be erected on the former site of the old Clampitt residence. SANITATION IS HELPED Moderna plumbing fixtures allow no unsanitary crevices to lurk behind them. They either stand clear from the floors or are recessed or built in. |