Winnetka Historic Homes - An Introduction

Winnetka historic homes have been a hot topic lately - and not just in Winnetka, but Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe as well.  But this article is not about the outrage over teardowns or about property rights, but about Winnetka's historic homes themselves.

According to "Winnetka Architecture:  Where Past is Present" published by the Winnetka Historical Society, almost every building style is represented in Winnetka:

• Log House
• Italianate
• Victorian Gothic
• Queen Anne
• Shingle Style
• Prairie School
• Arts & Crafts
• Bungalow
• American Foursquare
• Classical Revival
• Colonial Revival
• Georgian Revival
• Federal Revival
• Dutch Colonial Revival
• Tudor Revival
• French Revival
• Spanish Colonial Revival
• Art Deco
• Early Modern Architecture
• Post War Trends

The first settlers to Winnetka were farmers and tradesmen who built log or clapboard homes on high ground along the Green Bay Trail (now Sheridan Road.) Growth spurred after 1847 when train service arrived in Winnetka and development moved west as swampy ground was drained.  By 1890, the whole village was settled except for the very western edge.  

The second wave of housing to be constructed in Winnetka were Italianate and Victorian Gothic.  The "founders of Winnetka," Charles and Sarah Peck, built the first palatial Italiante home in 1856 and the bottom of Arbor Vitae Road.  Although their house is no longer standing, their legacy remains in the Village Green, land that they donated and stipulated to be left as open space. 

Winnetka again saw a surge of growth after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.  Queen Anne and Shingle Style began to proliferate in the north and east sections of town.  By 1900 there were 35 trains traveling through the village a day and Winnetka became a popular suburban destination.  At this point, two new styles of architecture were becoming vogue - Prairie School and different revival styles. Noted Prairie architects Walter Burley Griffin, Marion Mahoney, John Van Bergen, Barry Byrne began designed many homes throughout the village.

During the early decades of the 20th century many new styles began appearing including Colonial, Tudor and Dutch Colonial Revival.  New Trier High School (built in 1901) was designed by Normand S. Patton and modeled after the town hall in Trier, Germany.  Noted Chicago architect Dwight Perkins designed both Hubbard Woods School and Skokie School incorporating large windows and skylights and one-story construction.  Crow Island School was later designed by Finnish architects Elile and Eero Saarinen and became the prototype for modern school design. 

Post World War Two brought in the era of quickly built, modern styles that mirrored the national trend.  Mostly ranch houses were built along the west edge of the village near the lagoons.  But Winnetka residents have always favored historical styles and this preference is evident today.  Although over 200 homes have been demolished in Winnetka in the past decade for new construction, many owners are rehabbing their older homes as well.

Winnetka has seen the back-and-forth volleys of historic preservation referendums in the past several years.  Although residents clearly defeated any attempts at regulation of property rights, homeowners understand that these are difficult choices to make between respecting the past and planning for the future.  The debate will definitely continue.

For more information on Winnetka's history, please visit:

150 Years of Winnetka History