A couple weeks ago I took you on a walk with me along the tree-lined streets of Sycamore, Illinois. Today we’re taking another walk through the beautiful historic district of this charming little town. I’m such a huge fan of quaint architecture and if you follow my blog, I’m guessing you enjoy it as much as I do.
This stunning home might look new, but it’s not. It’s lovingly and perfectly restored. An expansive porch is always a prized feature on an historic home and this one doesn’t disappoint. Even the sidewalk has been refurbished with beautiful brick.
Not too far away is this Gothic style Victorian home. I love the rounded shutters on the second floor windows and can only imagine how wonderful those windows look from the inside of this expansive home.
What first caught my eye on this charmer is the arched windows on the porch. Why can’t builders add interesting details like this when they build new homes? It’s these unique details that add character and appeal.
Do you love brick homes? My husband is from Pittsburgh which has an abundance of brick houses. The diversity in historic architecture is what makes the historic district of Sycamore so intriguing.
Not all the homes in Sycamore’s historic district are expansive. This cozy blue clapboard cottage was probably the carriage house to its large green neighbor that I showed on my last post about Sycamore.
Are you enjoying the walk so far? Notice the brick pillar in front of the house. The homes in the historic district have these plaques out front so you can see when the house was built and who first owned it. It’s like taking a self-guided tour.
Some of the homes in the historic district of Sycamore are simple, yet still appealing.
I don’t know about you, but I can truly appreciate the rich and playful colors on some of these painted beauties. I’m lovin’ the color combo on this Victorian home.
How about a playful lavender color on the clapboards of this pretty Victorian home? When we bought our current home, it was painted pink with green and white trim! I loved it at the time, but eventually painted it yellow.
I’ve shown this painted lady on my blog once before, but I love it so much I have to share it again!
I hope you’ve enjoyed our walk through the historic district of Sycamore, Illinois. On my next architectural tour I’ll feature a different town. There are plenty of old houses here in the Midwest to love and share!
I think these are beauties. The Midwest is rich in all-American living…the true heartland. I love the architecture and history in these small towns…close to my home, Woodstock. Thank you for showing us the interesting ones in Sycamore.
More beautiful houses. Thank you Jennifer
Love it when you share these tours! My favorite activity is driving through small midwest (Ohio) towns to look at the beautiful old homes.
I love two story older homes, they have so much character. Many years ago, my husband’s job transferred him to a smaller town in Illinois and we rented a lovely two story charmer in a beautiful neighborhood. I loved living there, and became enamored with older homes. I was from the west coast and had always lived in ranch style homes prior to that. I then developed a life time love for all things vintage.
I agree with the details that make a home so special…the curved windows, the shaped shutters…
I am on the prowl to find details I can use to change up my 1970’s 2 story Colonial in the NW suburbs of Chicago. Either detailed with French or Victorian accents. Any suggestions?!
I always enjoy your walk about tours. It makes me want to take a drive to Sycamore.
I love the houses you showed. The details are lovely. Like you said, they don’t construct new houses with the details like that.
The first house in your article is on historic Somonauk Street, however it was built in the 1990’s, possibly late 80’s. Next time you’re in town, check out Main St, one block east of Somonauk, and some of the east/west “spokes” off of Somonauk – Charles, Turner, Edward, etc.
It was completed in 1986 right before we moved in but I am pretty sure they broke ground in 1981. Another fun fact is that the house to the left from the street used to be across the street. The lady that built our house purchased the house from the hospital for $1 and moved it across the street. There was a Fire in the house after it was moved and it was then gutted and refurbished.
I enjoyed taking this tour of homes through your post, Jennifer. They are all so interesting with all the different colors and interesting details. Loved every one!