One Of Hinsdale's Oldest Homes May Be Torn Down

HINSDALE, IL – One of Hinsdale's oldest homes may be demolished soon to make way for a new house.

The house is at 142 E. First St., owned by the next-door Grace Episcopal Church.

Built in 1869, the 2½-story house features Italianate architecture and includes a three-bay front facade, according to a village memo.

It is commonly referred to as the "William Whitney House" or the "Hallmark House," the memo said.

From 1870 to 1879, William Whitney, DuPage County's sole representative in the state legislature, lived in the house. He was credited with playing a key role in Hinsdale's 1873 incorporation.

In 1970, Hallmark Cards used the house as the setting for a television commercial.

In 1995, Elaine Cue sold the house to the church to be used as its rectory, according to the 1997 book, "Hinsdale's Historic Homes and the People Who Lived in Them."

On Wednesday, the village's Historic Preservation Commission plans to vote on the home's demolition and its replacement. Its decisions are nonbinding.

Also at the meeting, the commission plans to consider the same issues for the house at 304 E. Chicago Ave.

The home's owners, James and Laura Roush, want to demolish the house to build anew. The existing 2½-story house was built in 1895, featuring Queen Anne and Free Classic architecture, the village said.

A two-story rear addition was constructed in 1987.

Both homes are in the Robbins Park Historic District.

The village's code is designed to ease the process for owners who want to preserve historic homes and make it harder for those who seek to demolish and replace them.

Under a 3-year-old village incentive program, homeowners can propose things such as rear additions while keeping the historic character of their houses.

In return, the village grants property tax rebates, building fee waivers and sped-up processing of applications.

The house at 304 E. Chicago Ave. was built in 1895. The owners want to tear it down and build anew. (Google Maps)