2216 W. Greenleaf Avenue

From HistoryWiki

2216 W. Greenleaf Avenue, the Issacson House.

Circa: 1910

Original Owner:

Present (2001) Owner: Issacson

This house was in the 2001 Annual Fall House Tour.

Inevitably, the question "Are you sure that's a bungalow?" arises on a bungalow tour. There are always a few that look "bungaloid" in nature, but because of their size or scale, are thought to be too grand to be a "humble bungalow." The reality is that this style was enormously popular during the first quarter of the 20th Century, and could be found in sizes ranging from one room to sprawling mansions. This house is a good example of this phenomenon. The original owner could have built any style house on this extra-wide, deep lot, but chose a bungalow.

To some, the rustic design of the house might be more appropriate for a wooded area than the streets of Chicago. At the turn of the 20th Century, however, Keeney's Addition to Rogers Park had a more suburban feel. This house would have fit in well among the other single-family homes and the few remaining farms and greenhouses. The large bricks give the exterior a look of fieldstone and, with the wide front porch, contribute to the feeling of a country house.

As charming as it is today, when originally built, this house's interior would have had many more vintage elements, including built-in benches on the staircase, bookcases with leaded-glass doors, and a fireplace constructed of the same brick as found on the exterior.

The entry to the dining room is most intriguing, which was once ornamented by wood columns that sat on the existing bookcases. Evidence also suggests that a large built-in cabinet once fit into the wall between the kitchen and dining room. It is likely that the cabinet and columns were removed at the same time.

In 1983, this house was identified as a significant structure and a potential landmark in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey.

Chicago Landmarks Historic Resources Survey

Architect:

Historic Name:

Community: West Ridge (02)

Address: 2216 W. Greenleaf Avenue

Constructed: Started in

Classification: 1

Style:

Type: Single-Family Residence

Color Code: Orange

Major Tenant:

Building Details:

Pin: 1131105028