Call to Action: Preserving Wilmette’s Historic Charm
The beautiful home at 426 Central Avenue in Wilmette is awaiting demolition. This house, a purple painted lady, was not just any house. It was a part of our community’s unique character and history. This 6-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house spanned an impressive 5,904 square feet. It was a gem in our neighborhood, and its loss is deeply felt.
The Problem: Low Teardown Fees and Lack of Protective Barriers
The teardown of this historic house highlights a significant issue in our community: the lack of protective barriers to prevent such actions. Demolition fees are low, and there are no protective measures in place to prevent the destruction of historic properties.
The Solution: A Historic Preservation Ordinance
To prevent the loss of more historic homes, we need to advocate for a historic preservation ordinance in our community. Such an ordinance exists in Evanston, where it has been successful in preserving the city’s historic charm.
A historic preservation ordinance is a local law that prohibits owners of historic properties from demolishing their property or making major alterations without local government approval. These ordinances help maintain the uniqueness and integrity of a landmark, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Join the Cause: Advocate for a Historic Preservation Ordinance
Interested neighbors are invited to join in advocating for a historic preservation ordinance in Wilmette. Together, we can work towards preserving the charm and history of our community for future generations. Let’s ensure that our children and grandchildren can appreciate the beauty and history of Wilmette just as we do.
We moved to Wimette for it’s diverse architecture and live in a house built in 1897. It is important to me that Wilmette preserves as much of this history and charm as possible. It’s a shame to see these houses torn down and replaced with quickly constructed suburban farm. Yes, theses homes are beautiful as well, but we need to keep Wilmette unique. This diverse architecture, anchored by it’s vintage homes, creates the beauty and integrity of our village.
Property owners should be able to do as they wish with their property. If the community values the home on the property so much that they want to restrict the owners rights to do as they wish with their property, the community should buy the property. A free market not nostalgia should govern.
We tried to save 426 Central but hopefully we can save other historic houses.
Great idea! We live next door to *two* new build homes that are essentially identical “modern farmhouse” monstrosities (corner of 6th & Gregory), with several more in the close vicinity. While the two prior homes may not have been historically significant, it would be nice if Wilmette had zoning that would prevent this beautiful area from becoming so monotonous & charmless.
Low demo fees and lack of oversight on historic residents is a travesty on the part of Wilmette City Council. Is there no shame? We all live in Wilmette because of its history and historic homes.
I think the preservation of beautiful old homes is significant to the value of the village.
We moved to Wilmette because of the historical buildings and renovated a Victorian, saving it from demolition. Yes it was a lot of work, but it’s also saving the planet by reusing and restoring instead of creating landfill and demand for more materials to be manufactured. The radiators, door plates, hinges etc are incredibly ornate and works of art. If you want a modern building – move somewhere else. On Linden & 9th, a Victorian was replaced by a metal Mondrian box, Central & 10th made way for a Scandanavian sauna and don’t get me started on the brick cottage on Lake that had a warehouse extention and a grey paint job. Not sure what the solution is, but I’m all for saving these buildings.
This is a stately old Wilmette home with lots of character. It will be sad to have it torn down. The community will lose its sense of history.
Save the Painted Lady It a shame to tear down such a beautiful classic piece of architecture!
It is shocking to me that this type of demolition is permitted at all. A one of a kind, unique historic home should be preserved, unless it is determined to be a hazard completely beyond saving, and even then, should be deconstructed rather than demolished. The intricate carvings and attention to detail, with an eye to artistry and architecture, done by skilled artisans, are to be treasured, not destroyed. New homes, by and large, are poorly conceived monstrosities, with little to admire.
I couldn’t agree more!
I whole-heartedly agree that Wilmette should have an ordinance regarding the protection of significant architecture such as this home. The architecture is wonderful. I hope the Wilmette Historical Museum had a photo shoot with this house. Will contact them (unless it’s too late).
When my husband and I purchased a Victorian farmhouse, it came with a small brass plaque that designated it as over 100 years old. Many other homes in Wilmette were graced with similar plaques, which I understood had been an initiative of the Historic Commission some years before we bought our house. I had wonderful interior details, and though there was little history filed with the Commission, I felt the house had a special spirit. I went through the process of having it designated a Local Landmark, approved by the Historic Commission and now sporting a large heavy brass plaque. A Local Landmark cannot be torn down. We have since sold the house, and a future owner would have to un-Landmark it for it to be demolished. The issue of tearing down gracious, charming homes that are not landmarked is a thorny one. I loved our home, I love the diverse vintage homes that give Wilmette an esthetic community character. If there’s a way to have a fair law (I’m not familiar with how Evanston’s protective law is worded) I would favor that, but I also acknowledge the person who responded above with an observation about owners’ rights. This is the ages-old struggle to balance individual rights/private property with community character. For now, anyone reading this chain who lives in an older home with even a smidgen of historic significance, if you care about preserving your home, consider consulting the Historic Commission on how to have it locally landmarked, and do a thorough cost/benefits analysis. In a community where developers are like profit-hungry vultures waiting to prey on old structures, until there is a law, look to the only current way to preserve your own dwelling. Good luck!
This is a real problem we have in Wilmette! Too many historic homes are being destroyed and replaced with McMansions. The Village need to get involved and create a architectural committee to stop the destruction of these beautiful turn of the century landmark homes, homes that create a character and reason that many of us moved in to Wilmette. I have been a resident for 40 years and I dont like whats going on. I would be happy to participate on a committee, I have a design background and have renovated 3 homes and my office space all retaining the character of historic building and architecture with a modern twist!
The old charm & quality construction aren’t affordable in todays “low cost” environment. They don’t build them like this anymore! Truly a shame, our friends grew up right near here!
Wilmette has “old growth” laws re our trees. . The purpose of these laws is to protect our towns unique character. The same can… and should be done… for our “grey ladies”,
I am the former owner of 822 Central, a beautiful victorial home, that someone is planning on demolishing. Is there anything that I can do to help prevent this from happening. I now live in California.
Mike and Pam Foley
619-846-7101
MikeFoleyLJ@gmail.com