O-80-06 11/13/2006IIllhIllli!llI!V/llh!I/llhI/Ill!/llIijllflh;flijhI;
Doc #: 0635415113 Fee: $40.00
Eugene "C3ene" Moore
Cook County Feco,rer of Deed,
D�!e:
12_,70/2696 11!02 APd Py :;f 9
VILLAGE OF LEMONT
ORDINANCE NO. 10`J
AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING CERTAIN PROPERTY AS A LANDMARK:
FRUHAUF BUILDING - 107 STEPHEN STREET
ADOPTED BY THE
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT
This 13T day of Novermber , 2006
Published in pamphlet form by
authority of the President and
Board of Trustees of the Village of
Lemont, Counties of Cook, Will, and
DuPage, Illinois this 13th day
of November , 2006
ORDINANCE f / 1*
ORDINANCE DESIGNATING CERTAIN PROPERTY AS A LANDMARK:
FRUHAUF BUILDING - 107 STEPHEN STREET
WHEREAS, the Lemont Historic Preservation Commission has initiated an application to designate
the property known as the Fruhauf Building, 107 Stephen Street, Lemont, [L as a landmark, as authorized
by Village of Lemont Ordinance 0 -7 -01 approved on February 12, 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Lemont Historic Preservation Commission has held a public hearing and has
reviewed the testimony regarding designation as a landmark property for the Norton Building at 107 Stephen
Street; and
WHEREAS, the Lemont Historic Preservation Commission has found that such property is of
sufficient architectural and historical significance that it is appropriate for designation as a landmark; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lemont has received the recommendation of
the Historic Preservation Commission and its findings and has considered same; and
WHEREAS, the Village Board of Trustees has made the following findings of fact:
1. The building has significant value as part of the historic, heritage or cultural characteristics of
Lemont and Cook County;
2. The building is identified with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development
of Lemont;
3. The building is representative of the distinguishing characteristics of architecture inherently valuable
for the study of a period, type, method of construction or use of indigenous materials, especially the Lemont -
Joliet limestone known as "athens marble;"
3. The building's unique location and singular physical characteristics make it an established or familiar
visual feature including its presence in the skyline of Lemont;
4. The building is a particularly fine example of a downtown public /commercial structure with a high
level of integrity and architectural significance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Village President and Board of Trustees of the
Village of Lemont, Cook, Will and DuPage Counties, Illinois as follows:
Section 1.
That the real estate described in Exhibit "A" hereto be and is hereby designated as a landmark
pursuant to Ordinance 0 -7 -01 of the Village of Lemont.
Section 2.
That this Ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and approval in the manner
provided by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTIES OF COOK, DU PAGE AND WILL, ILLINOIS, on this 13th
day of November , 2006.
Debby Blatzer
Peter Cowles
Brian Reaves
Clifford Miklos
Ronald Stapleton
Jeanette Virgilio
Attest:
®.ems
MOL EVillage Clerk
CHARLENE S
Approved as to Form:
Village Attorney
Date:
AYES NAYS PASSED ABSENT
V
J
JOHN . PIAZZA, Vill : ge Pre d t
Historic
LEMONT
al 1856
Lemont Historic Preservation Commission
418 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 257 -1590
FAX (630)- 243 -0958
email: vlemont@aol.com
Date: September 1, 2006
APPLICATION FOR
LANDMARK STATUS
FOR HISTORIC STRUCTURES
1. Description of Designated Structure
(Legal Description and Common Street Address)
Charles Fruhauf Building, 107 Stephen Street
2. P.I.N.# (s) 3. Year of Construction
22 -20- 405 -005 1871
4. Name and Address of the property owner:
La Dolce Vita of Lemont, Inc.
Tenant: La Dolce Vita of Lemont, Inc.
5. Significant Architectural Features:
The inscription in pressed metal relief on the arched frieze of this building reads "Charles Fruhauf, 1871," although it is
more likely that the building was constructed in the mid 1880's. The building is architecturally significant as a notable rusticated
Lemont limestone building in the ltalianate style with elaborate wood cornice and brackets. The building is in excellent
condition. Some time after 1950, the storefront portion of the building was completely reconfigured with replacement
materials.(stacked brick and permastone cladding). Four six over six light wood windows in the west elevation. The building
retains much of its original appearance.The building is architecturally significant as a good example of stone commercial
construction. The building is central to a grouping of four dolomite limestone buildings on the east side of Stephen Street.
6. Reasons in Support of Proposed Designation:
This landmark building, constructed of Lemont limestone, is shown on the 1886, 1894 and 1911 Sanborn maps as a
saloon with a second floor hall. It once served as the Lodge Hall for the Knights of Pythias. This fraternal lodge met upstairs
and called the room Castle Hall. Over the years, the upstairs has served as a vest making sweatshop, a dance hall, and a
bookie joint. The building has a deep cellar, and this fact served some elements of the community during the dry days of
prohibition. A large still operated here, but was raided only once. After a great deal of planning and preparation, the Cook
County Sheriff and his men raided, only to find nothing. See additional criteria in the attachment.
7. Provide Documentation that Property Owner has been Notified or Consents to this Application
Please see attached correspondence.
8. Attachments: Overall Site Plan and Photographs of (all sides) of the Proposed Landmark. The Plan may also
include front, side and rear elevation drawings.
See Attachments
The Commission shall schedule a public hearing within 60 days of receipt of this application. Public Notice shall be sent by mail to owner(s) of record,
lessees, and to the nominator(s) and adjoining property owners not less than 15 days prior to hearing date. Notice of Hearing shall be published in a
newspaper of general circulation in the Village of Lemont.
•
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Lot 5 in Block 1 in Charles Freehauf's Resubdivision of Lot 3 and part of Lot 4 in Blk 1 of Norton's Subdivision., N of
Talcott Ave. And E. Of Stephen Street in the west '/2 of the S.E. 1/4 of Section 20, Township 37, Range 11, East of the Third
Principal Meridian in Cook County, Illinois, recorded August July 10, 1894 as Document 2071111.
Permanent Real Estate Index Number: 22 -20- 405 -005
Address of Property 43 Stephen Street
Criteria for Landmark Nomination
Ordinance 0 -7 -07 sets forth criteria for consideration of landmark designation. The building at 43 Stephen Street
possesses the integrity of design, workmanship, materials, location, setting and feeling specified by the ordinance.
1. Significant value as part of the historic, heritage or cultural characteristics of Lemont, Cook County, State
of Illinois, or the United States.
The Fruhauf building at 107 Stephen Street is one of approximately a dozen Lemont limestone buildings in the
historic district. It was originally built as a store. From the mid to late nineteenth century, Canal, Main, and Stephen Streets
were lined with saloons and bordellos. Because of the crime and notoriety, this area became known as Smokey Row. The
building's association with this district adds both a local historic and cultural significance. The building housed a pants
factory ca. 1927 - 1930's. It is also an early site of Emil Wend's tavern, which later located to the corner of Main & Stephen
Street. From the late 1940's into the 60's the building housed Alex & Ray's (Wojciechowski) tavern and Lucille's
(Wojciechowski) Grill, a local "greasy spoon." During this era, the bookie parlor was located on the second floor. Downtown
businessmen spent Saturday afternoons monitoring the horse races. A subsequent incarnation, the "Silver Jug" became a biker
haven in the 1980's, much to the chagrin of local elected officials. In October of 1988, Thomas and Shirley Sheu aquired the
building and transformed it into the Christmas Inn, a restaurant serving food in a year -round Christmas setting. The owners
sponsored many downtown events, and must be credited with re- starting the tradition of the St. Patrick's Day parade in
downtown Lemont. In 1997, the Sheu' s sold the building to Ted and Geri Kapusta who continued operation of the Christmas
Inn until the building was sold to the Lombardo Family in 1999 who opened La Dolce Vita.
2. Identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of Lemont.
The architect of this building is unknown. The name Fruhauf does not appear in historic records, but may have
evolved into the name Freehauf which is a prominent name in Lemont. The legal description of the property refers to Chas.
Freehauf s resubdivision, and the name C. Freehauf appears in a listing of early Justices of the Peace. The building's historic
association with the Knights of Pythias and the Emil Wend family also lend a significance historically.
3. Representative of the distinguishing characteristics of architecture inherently valuable for the study of a
period, type, method of construction or use of indigenous materials, especially the Lemont limestone known
as "athens marble."
This building is one of approximately a dozen buildings in the historic district constructed of the native limestone.
It is a fine example of this construction. It should be noted that the limestone buildings in the historic district constructed
of Lemont limestone, have an architectural style that is more common in western America than in the midwest. 107 Stephen
Street is an example of such a building with its Italianate architectural details at the parapet, and the false front with gabled
roof.
4. Notable work of a master builder, designer, architect or artist whose individual work has influenced the
development of the community, county, state or country.
No information available.
5. Its unique location or singular physical characteristics that make it an established or familiar visual feature
including presence in the skyline as viewed from the northern entrance to Lemont.
The building's imposing presence at the corner of Stephen & Talcott lends a significance to the streetscape and to
the skyline of Lemont. HABS notes that the building is central to a grouping of four dolomite limestone buildings on the east
side of Stephen Street.
6. Its character as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian structure, including but not limited to
farmhouses or commercial structures, with a high level of integrity or architectural significance.
The building' s construction as a commercial building with a high level of architectural integrity, gives it significance
in the Historic District.
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