When David Jones moved to Galesburg in the summer of 2012, he was looking for an older home with character.
Being an architectural hobbyist he immediately identified 387 N. Kellogg St. as being in the “prairie school” of the Arts and Crafts architectural movement of the turn of the 20th century and was anxious to buy.
“Prairie school” was a style developed by a group of architects led by Frank Lloyd Wright, having it’s hey-day from 1900-1920.
Due to the characteristically classic Midwest style and Jones’s research finding the house was owned by Star Coal Company Secretary-Treasurer R.J. Fairbairn in the 1920’s, the Galesburg City Council will vote tonight to designate the home as a local landmark.
Jones tells WGIL there are few practical advantages of designating a house as a historic landmark.
“I cannot alter the appearance on the street side that in a way that would impact the architectural significance of the property,” he says.
But Jones says it’s important to take measures to preserve these properties as they are increasingly falling into disrepair and being torn down.
“And future generations will have the benefit of them,” he says. “And it’s really a historic district, though not named as such by the city.”
The neighborhood of North Seminary and Kellogg streets has three other houses that are classified as “prairie” styles.
Council documents say it will be at no cost to city and Aldermen Russell Fleming and Wayne Allen have already voiced support.
