Building date: 1856
Original use: Private Residence
Corner structures: Stone quoins. See photograph file "2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-3_0.jpg" below for one example of two structures in North America of the unique quoin construction. The other is the William T, McCracken House in the Town of Camillus, Onondaga County.
Mortar application and content:
Types and uses of stones: Lake washed cobblestones from Lake Michigan
Types and choice of windows: 6 over 6 windows and 3 paned transom windows
Structures with similar masonry details: Columbus Wallace House, though grander
Masons who worked on building: Andrew Jackson Simons
Unique features: Cobblestone structure and foundation, stone lintels, more elaborate stone details and designs in quoins and throughout the façade such as circular designs surrounding a larger stone and a horseshoe design in the gable. Greek Revival Style
Map views courtesy View 1, View 2. Address is Google Earth confirmed; 42°15'11.16"N 88°19'17.99"W. Current owner of record, Roth as of the 2019 Tax Roll.
Township of Nunda and McHenry County Maps
Plaque installed by the Polly Crandall Questers #772 and the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission which is part of a certified local government and has the power of protection.
Cobblestone Sites Built on Historic Foundation, by Dave Barnes, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 1996.
I did a quick investigation of the cobblestone mason of Crystal Lake, Illinois. I was surprised by a reference online that he may have come from Vermont. Not surprisingly, the name Andrew Jackson Simons isn't unique for that time period, but I found what I thought I would, or what I hoped I would: He was from New York.
On findagrave.com I found an Andrew Jackson Simons born in LeRoy, NY in 1827. This is likely where he became familiar with cobblestone masonry. The gravestone was issued by the government in honor of his service to the Union in the 36th regiment, Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, 1861-1864. He is buried in Crystal Lake with a death date in 1892.
In the 1850 census he is in Algonquin, McHenry County, Illinois, listed as a mason, age 21, born in NY. The birth date on the grave stone is of slight suspect, as in the 1870 census he is living in Crystal Lake and listing himself as a stone mason at the age of 40. In the 1880 census, he is living in Crystal Lake and describes himself as a stone and brick mason at the age of 50, having been born in NY. But this age difference is not enough to be surprising and the other information is too consistent to be mere coincidence. He was 5 foot, 11 inches tall - a large man for the time - useful in the masonry business.
This supports our theory that the cobblestone buildings in the western states were primarily made by masons from western NY. Erin Anheier email 9/28/2020.
"Walkup House Crystal Lake Landmark", 10/01/1975, author and publication not given, from the files of the McHenry Historical Society, Grace Moline, Historic Sites Chairperson.
"Cobblestone Homes Adorn Crystal Lake", The Sunday Courier News, 10/12/1975, from the files of the McHenry Historical Society, Grace Moline, Historic Sites Chairperson.
"Guide to Chicago's Historic Suburbs on Wheels and on Foot" (Lake, McHenry, Kane, Dupage, Will and Cook Counties), 7/1/1981, by Ira J. Bach (author) and Susan Wolfson (contributor), Pages 211-212 Walkup House, and 214 Wallace House.
"Cobblestone home back in the family", by Marles Humphrey, Chicago Tribune 12/11/1999 from the files of the McHenry Historical Society, Grace Moline, Historic Sites Chairperson.
"Restoring the Walkup House". by Jeff Ruetsche and photography by Robin Pendergrast, McHenry County Living, Winter 2011, pages 54-56. Article provided by McHenry Historical Society, Grace Moline, Historic Sites Chairperson. Reprinted with permission granted by McHenry County Living magazine.
Historical Overview, McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission
Madoli Farms: "...built in 1856 out of cobblestones that were hauled in oxcarts, from the shores of Lake Michigan over 40 miles away. The farm itself dates from 1835 which is one of the oldest in the county..."
Walkup Avenue, Crystal Lake Historical Society
Walkup Heritage Farm, Visit McHenry County
WalkupHouse-ca1920.jpg Circa 1920 ¹
2018.010.0016.jpg ¹
Walkup House Wall.jpg ¹
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-1_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-2_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-3_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-4_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-5_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-6_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-7_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-8_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-9_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-10_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-11_0.jpg ² , ³ October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-12_0.jpg ² October 2020
2020-10-10 John B. Walkup House-13_0.jpg ² October 10 2020
¹ Image courtesy Crystal Lake Historical Society. Diana Kenney
² Photography courtesy Grace Moline, Historic Sites Chairperson for the McHenry County Historical Society.
³ Polly Crandall Questers #772