In December 1988 the State of Illinois Historic Preservation Office asked the City of Evanston to suggest additional preservation districts. Gwen Sommers Yant, then Evanston’s Preservation Coordinator, suggested two possible districts: northeast Evanston and northwest Evanston.
Thomas Eddy Tallmadge (1876-1940) was a lifelong Evanston resident and one of the talented architects who left their mark on our city. Tallmadge built extensively in Evanston, and in the 1930s he designed Evanston’s now historic streetlights.
When Design Evanston published its book Evanston’s Design Heritage in 2020, one important planner was missing from the collection of essays: Diane Korling was not available to be interviewed for the book because of a serious injury.
When we think of landmarks we generally think of historically or architecturally significant buildings. Many of the 150 places mentioned in Design Evanston’s book Evanston: 150 Years 150 Places fall into these categories.
Have you ever wondered about the exquisite wrought iron fence, gate and stone steps at the corner of Ridge and Lake streets? They are all that is left of the estate that once stood there. It was built in 1901 for James Patten (1852-1928), Evanston’s mayor from 1901 to 1905.
Graphic designer Jack Weiss moved to Evanston in 1967 and continues to live in his “favorite town” after more than five decades.
Though accessory dwelling units (ADUs) play a valuable role in the community at large, they ultimately exist to provide people with a healthy, safe home.