Hayward Blake, Design Evanston founding member
Born in West Haven, Connecticut, Hayward Blake served as a technical sergeant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps (1943–47) and landed at Utah Beach after D-Day.
Author: Neiger Design
Evanston’s parks and open spaces
It might be said that Philo Judson, hired by Northwestern University to plat the village of Evanston, is the founder of Evanston’s public park system. In 1853-54 Judson set aside areas for parks and the university campus…
Jim Gamble: A founding member of Design Evanston
In 1980, Design Evanston came into being when a group of designers working or living in Evanston started to meet regularly to discuss how, as professionals, they could assist in maintaining quality design in Evanston…
Henry K. Holsman, Evanston’s architect of affordable homes – Part 2
Shoreline Apartments (1928) marked the last of Henry Holsman’s many Hyde Park and South Shore affordable, cooperative high-rise apartment buildings—nearly all in the Gothic Revival style.
Henry K. Holsman, Evanston’s architect of affordable homes – Part 1
When I researched and wrote the essay about Sherman Gardens in Evanston, I had no idea of the full extent of architect Henry Holsman’s career. Nor was I aware what part Sherman Gardens played in the context of his career.
A primer on Evanston landmark districts – Part 2
“Both National Register district and locally designated historic districts can be used as effective preservation tools, either independently or together, to help preserve a community’s historic resources.”
A primer on Evanston landmark districts – Part 1
In the preceding four-part series of “Thoughts on Design” columns published in October and November, the argument was made to consider revisiting Anne Earle’s 1988 proposal to nominate the Northwest Evanston Historic District.
Coming of age in the 20s – Part 4
Age and integrity determine the boundaries of the proposed Northwest Evanston Historic District. Most of the boundaries are drawn along alleys or rear lot lines. A boundary drawn along a side or front lot line generally excludes houses considerably newer than those within the proposed district.
Coming of age in the 20s – Part 3
The ambience of the core of the district extends along Central Park Avenue south of Grant. This is not surprising since the developer who had subdivided Lincolnwood Avenue north of Grant in 1921 laid out the southern two blocks of Central Park Avenue in 1923 and 1927.
Coming of age in the 20s – Part 2
Eighty per cent of the houses within the proposed Northwest Evanston Historic District were built between 1918 and 1931; most of those houses are brick, but a number of houses are stone, stucco, wood and combinations thereof.