This charming house, standing proudly on North Hermitage Avenue, is a beautiful example of architectural ingenuity. It is the Theodore Rozek House, a historic gem, nestled in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. It was built in 1908 for Theodore Rozek, a printer and German immigrant. The Rozek family occupied the house until 2000. Theodore’s son Gerald lived across the street for several decades.
Theodore’s house is a classic American Foursquare, with a square shape topped by a hip roof and a dormer. The house was designed by architect Clarence Hatzfeld, who built several Foursquare houses in the neighborhood. In the mid-1920s, architect Andrew E. Norman designed an extension. This addition was inspired by the Better Homes movement, which aimed to bring high-level architecture to working-class homes. It replaced the original front porch with a semi-circular one, supported by the original columns. This made the house unique in the neighborhood.
The house is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the current owners conducted thorough research to achieve this recognition. You can see the original details and the beautiful oak floors and woodwork. The front porch is a great place to sit and imagine the family sitting here, enjoying the neighborhood. The Rozek House, with its timeless charm and well-preserved history, provides a glimpse into the architectural styles and social changes that took place in Chicago during the 20th century.