Committees & Commissions
Leading the Village of Oswego
Historic Preservation Commission
The function of the Historic Preservation Commission is to preserve and enhance Oswego’s unique historic character by informing the community of the positive benefits of preservation, by enlisting public support and participation in the historic preservation process, by identifying significant sites that represent preservation opportunities, and by implementing a review process for historic preservation.
Architectural and Historical Survey
The Village of Oswego, in conjunction with the Oswego Historic Preservation Commission, completed an architectural and historical survey of the urban core of the Village. The consultants selected to conduct the survey researched approximately 600 structures in an area that is located generally west of Route 71 and east of the Fox River. The results from this process include a detailed database of the properties included the survey area, many of which are properties that have an intrinsic historic or architectural value. The survey also provides recommendations on buildings that have the potential to be designated as historic landmarks, and it suggests areas that contain a clustering of significant properties that could be potential historic districts.
The survey is composed of two sections: the Summary and Inventory report, and the survey forms. The summary contains, along with a history of the development of the Village, an analysis of the various styles of architecture that were documented during the survey process and conclusions and recommendations for future preservation efforts in Oswego. The survey forms contain data collected by the consultants during their research and fieldwork, and include information such as construction dates, architectural styles, and historic significance. This database includes a form for every property in the survey, organized by address. Both documents are available for download below.
Programs of the Historic Preservation Commission include:
2009 Property of the Season
The home at 467 Main Street in the past (top) and present (bottom).
|
The home at 467 Main Street has been selected as the Summer 2009 “Property of the Season” by the Historic Preservation Commission. The house is an impressive example of the Italianate style commonly built in early 1800’s. The Italianate style was popularized in the United States by Alexander Jackson Davis in the 1840’s as an alternative to Gothic or Greek Revival styles. This unique style is often recognized by its low pitched roof with widely overhanding eaves, having decorated brackets beneath with tall windows and cupola.
The house was constructed in the 1870’s by Reverend Lewis Benedict who was the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Aurora. It was later sold to Mr. & Mrs. James Stone, founder of the Aurora Corset Company, and later to Dr. Byron Emigh, DDS. The home, currently owned by Terry and Connie Peshia, was moved to its present location alongside the Oswego Cemetery in 1975. The home originally sat on the corner of Hickory & East Galena in Aurora.
The house was moved to 467 Main St. Oswego after removing the roof and 80 percent of the plaster walls. The roof was rebuilt using the original wood and replacing only the portions of the structure that had rotted with new ones. The only additions after the move were interior closets, bathrooms and extending the roofline to add another bedroom. The original windows are intact and many samples of the wallpaper were uncovered. The roof is metal and is of the original style.
Click here for more information on the Property of the Season program
return to Committees & Commissions page |
