​​Elgin Bungalows

For further information, contact Christen Sundquist at Sundquist_C@cityofelgin.org

Historic Bungalow Initiative

At the beginning of 2013, the Historic Elgin Bungalow Organization initiative began with the receipt of a grant from the Richard H. Driehaus foundation, directed by the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), to help fund the production of informative brochures. NHS contacted the Elgin Preservationist at the time, Amy Munro. She in turn contacted , Steve Stroud, knowing that he had already scanned and identified several hundred bungalows. This campaign ultimately led to a bungalow survey conducted by Allen+Pepa Architects.

 

Over the course of two years, staff, volunteers and consultants for the City of Elgin have identified over 2,000 examples of bungalows within the City limits. Most of these were found throughout the older neighborhoods of the city.

 

The district boundaries are not limited to a specific area but are city-wide, allowing any property that meets specific criteria to be eligible for inclusion in the Elgin Bungalow Thematic Historic District. Included bungalows will be subject to the same restrictions and benefits as existing locally landmarked buildings and historic district properties. This means that exterior alterations to the property must be approved and issued a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) by city staff or the Heritage Commission. It also means that when money is available for grants, these homes are eligible just as the other historic district homes. One important reason to have a bungalow included is preservation. All the work to maintain and restore a bungalow should then be preserved.

 

On August 12, 2015, City Council approved the new Bungalow thematic historic district as well as its first, two designated properties at 121 Monroe Street and 903 Cedar Avenue.