Downers Grove founder’s home designated as historic landmark

DOWNERS GROVE– The former home of Downers Grove founder Pierce Downer was designated a historic landmark at the Feb. 14 village council meeting.

The home, located at 4437 Seeley Avenue, is currently owned by Arthur and Judy Frigo.

The Historic Preservation Ordinance dictates that a home must meet certain criteria to be considered for landmark designation. One of the criteria that could designate a home as a historic landmark is if the property was owned by a person of historic significance to the community.

According to board documents, the house was constructed in the early 1840s by Pierce Downer.

Downer is known as the founder and first settler of the village of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Township. Board documents state that Downer arrived in the area in 1832 and camped alone in the grove of oak trees. He built the house in the early 1840s, and the original farm was 160 acres and remained in the family for 92 years, until the farm was passed out of the family and was reduced to 83 acres. The home was annexed to Downers Grove on Aug. 24, 1924.

Tully said many people believed that Downer’s home was already protected, but it was not. He thanked the the Frigos and the others who helped bring the home forward for historic landmark designation.

A ceremony and presentation of the designation to the Frigos will happen at a later date in March.

“I am very deeply appreciate to the Frigos and anybody else who had any part in getting this to this point,” Tully said.

The Frigos, who could not make the council meeting, were reached via email.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to protect a part of the history of Downers Grove,” the Frigos said.