The Gunderson Historic District Gunderson subdivided several tracts of in Madison Streets, and Gunderson and South The Gunderson Historic District is located south Oak and built, financed and sold Ridgeland Avenues, was constructed shortly in south Oak Park and consists of two discrete more than 600 single family homes for prices after the first Oak Park subdivision. Gunderson but related areas of single-family and two-flat ranging from $4,000 to $12,000. The located this subdivision directly north of the developed by the firm of S. T. Gunderson firm subdivided an Oak Park neigh- Metropolitan Garfield elevated train line, with Gunderson and Sons during the first decade of borhood along Columbian and Fair Oaks a station on Gunderson Avenue that connect- the 20th century. The single-family homes are Avenues north of Augusta Street in 1922, and ed Oak Park to Chicago. The firm located two predominantly American Foursquare types. the Greenfield subdivision at Harlem Avenue branch offices in the core of the neighborhood Although the homes were part of two separate and Division Street in 1925. The firm contin- — one at South Elmwood Avenue and Harrison planned subdivisions with great similarities in ued to subdivide land in Chicago’s Garfield Street, and one at South Elmwood Avenue and design among the various , each Park neighborhood and in Elmwood Park north Adams Street. This second subdivision was structure is individualized with original detailing of Oak Park. prominently promoted in the local newspapers, of Colonial Revival, Arts investors. Severt and wife Emily had two sons, with weekly advertisements in the local Oak and Crafts, or Prairie style Seward and George, both of whom worked in First Gunderson Subdivision Leaves. The second subdivision includes 208 influence. the family business. Seward joined his father The Gundersons established several sub- single-family homes and 22 two-flats. The sameness of in the lumber business in 1883 and became divisions in Chicago and Oak Park between style, identical the managing partner in 1893. George’s 1889 and 1925. The earliest subdivisions Gunderson Two-Flats setbacks and other career began in his father's lumber company were on the west side of Chicago. The first Gunderson originally common features of in 1881. He was later the manager of W.J. Gunderson development in Oak Park was the subscribed to the beliefs these subdivisions Frawley and Company, lumber inspectors. Gunderson and Gauger’s addition, platted in of numerous Oak Park res- foreshadow later sub- George joined his father and brother in busi- 1890, located on Home and Wenonah avenues idents and did not support urban development. ness in 1885. In 1899 he organized the Acme between Harrison Street and Roosevelt Road. the of apart- Both discrete areas Steel Company, Inc., where he was treasurer Gunderson owned this land for 15 years, wait- ments in his subdivision. of the Historic and general manager until 1924. ing for a five-cent railroad fare to Chicago Gunderson concluded District were Seward Gunderson followed the pattern of before commencing construction. With his own “that so large a propor- designed to provide many first-generation immigrants by assimilat- funds, Gunderson constructed a station of the tion of our urban popula- homeownership to a burgeoning mid- ing into the American culture. In 1907, he and Metropolitan elevated train line at nearby tion is housed in the dle class. This meant a community his family moved to Oak Park, where they had Maple Avenue for the convenience of the new cubby holes of the modern that emphasized both the proximity and good built a large house in the heart of the second residents. The 59 were quickly sold is a grave men- transportation to the jobs of nearby Chicago Gunderson development. Seward consciously once construction began in 1905. This area is ace to the future of the and the amenities of a high-class suburban presented himself as an example for his neigh- referred to as the first Gunderson develop- race is a fact that needs community including excellent schools, plenti- bors to emulate. He was a prominent member ment of Oak Park. no visitor from a long past century to point out.” ful churches and other desired services. of the community and involved in social affairs Advertisements for the Gunderson subdivi- as a member of many organizations: Oak Park’s Second Gunderson Subdivision sion frequently promoted home ownership over The Gunderson Family first board; president of Oak Park Repub- The second Gunderson development in renting. The New Book of Standard Gunderson S.T. Gunderson and Sons represents a firm lican Club and delegate of National Republican Oak Park, located between Harrison and Homes referred to the renter as “a piece of started by successful Norwegian immigrants. convention in 1944; Oak Park Chamber of driftwood, subject to many buffeting gales, Severt T. Gunderson came to the United Commerce; Chicago Real Estate Board of while the homeowner is a stanch ship, upon States in 1848 at the age of nine. At 18 he Underwriters; Chicago Athletic Association; the same sea of life.” One of the early ads for went into business as a builder, and quickly charter member of the Oak Park Country Club; Gunderson Homes touted the importance “to acquired important timber and mill holdings, treasurer of the Park District of Oak Park from realize that this is a community of homes — no all of which were destroyed by fire in 1875. 1912 to 1920; secretary of his brother’s firm, flats, no apartments — nothing but artistic He soon started a second business — manu- the Acme Steel Company from 1899 to 1903; homes.” The warranty deeds conveyed to the facturing doors and sashes, which he operat- Metropolitan Lodge, Oriental Consistory; purchaser of a Gunderson home prohibited the ed with his son Seward. This business was Knights Templar; and Medinah Temple. future erection of flat apartment buildings on also destroyed by fire. In 1885 Severt and his S.T. Gunderson and Sons continued to the home’s lot. two sons formed the firm of S.T. Gunderson develop homes in Oak Park and Chicago Gunderson’s opinions had changed by and Sons, “homebuilders” and real estate through the 1920s. Between 1905 and 1920 1915 when he began constructing two-family The Gunderson Historic District

For more information, call or write: Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission Community Services Department Planning Division 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 708.358.5417 [email protected]

Gunderson Or visit the Village’s web site at Historic District www.oak-park.us homes at the northeast edge of the sec- ond Gunderson development. Gunderson’s audience did not change — he was attracting homebuyers, not renters. The advertisements for these spoke of making the purchaser “a rent receiver instead of a rent payer.” The ads recommended that the purchaser should live in one unit and rent out the second. Seward’s own son, Miles, lived in the two- flat building at 530 South Ridgeland in 1922. In 1920, S.T. Gunderson and Sons built their last apartment building in this development.

What is an Historic District? An historic district is an area within geographically definable boundaries, possessing a significant concentration of properties united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development that has been designated as an Oak Park Historic District pursuant to Village ordinance. Most buildings in an historic district contribute to the significance of the area without individually having the credentials of a Landmark. These buildings are referred to as Contributing Resources. They help to maintain the historic integrity of the neighborhood. Individual properties designated as Historic Landmarks are Contributing Resources within a district. An historic district can have build- ings that do not contribute to the significance of the district. These buildings, referred to as Non- Contributing Resources, usually are less than 50 years old or have been significantly altered in the recent past.