Historic Homes: Geneva, Illinois

Many of you, my readers, have told me how much you love my walking tours around neighborhoods that showcase beautiful homes. I typically focus on older homes because I find them unique and charming. But someday I’ll feature newer homes so you can see the variety of architecture in my corner of the world. Today we’re enjoy a tour of historic homes in my favorite town of Geneva, Illinois (my birthplace).

I’ve admired this blue clapboard Victorian for years now. Note the scallop-shingled roof. I don’t remember seeing a roof like this anywhere else around town.

 

The sunburst detail on the peak above the porch is a charming touch. I also like how the homeowner placed their matching flower pots out by the sidewalk as opposed to either side the porch steps or front door where most people place them.

 

A few blocks away is this charmer with its screened porch and matching roof turrets. I would love to see the rooms on the second floor. I love the diamond-mullioned windows.

 

The last time we took a walking tour of Geneva I showed you a green stucco house. Not far from it is this taupe stucco house that happens to be for sale. You can tour the inside here.

 

Simple lines frame this gray two-story home. I’ve always admired its front porch windows with three little frames at top.

 

I’ve shown this unique two-story clapboard home in a previous tour of historic homes in Geneva, but I want to share it again now that it’s decked out for summer with hanging baskets and other greenery adding to the curb appeal.

 

A cute, Queen Anne Victorian sits right across the street. There’s plenty of architectural eye candy in Geneva.

 

A close-up photo shows the charm of the cozy front porch. Notice how the spindles are painstakingly painted in three colors. I wonder how long it took to do this.

 

Since we’re on the subject of porches, I snapped a photo of this quaint white porch around the corner. There were too many trees to get the whole house in the frame.

 

I love a full front porch dotted with rocking chairs. This house may appear older, but it was built just a few years ago.

 

Geneva is an historic river town with the Fox River splitting the west side from the east. We’re now over on the east side of town which also enjoys an array of historic homes. This simple Colonial two-story sports a quaint picket fence.

 

A classic white farmhouse sits back from the street and is probably one of the older homes in this area.

 

This charming painted lady is also for sale, but has a pending offer. You can view the inside here. You’ll find an abundance of Victorian touches indoors.

 

Here’s another new home with some of the charm you find on older homes – like the roof peaks and the numerous spindles on the front porch.

One of these days I’m going to head into surrounding towns to get more photos of historic homes (and new) with unique architecture and charming curb appeal. What’s your favorite style of home? Victorian? Colonial? Mid Century Modern? Classic Farmhouse? Let me know and I’ll try to include your favorites in an upcoming walking tour!