Raise the Roof

By Mark Loehrke
Appears in the September 2023 issue.

This historic mansion on Glen Ellyn’s renowned S-curve offers plenty of charm

Home seekers might check out the circa-1893 Birdwood Estate in Glen Ellyn for some combination of its historical appeal, convenient location near downtown, brilliant blue exterior, pretty front porch, and commercial possibilities (current zoning leaves open the potential for a business venture, such as a B&B). Or perhaps even its ties to local baseball lore. The original owner of the home, attorney and village historian Lawrence Charles Cooper, learned about the sport, then in its infancy, while attending the University of Michigan, and with a friend organized a team called the Rustics in Danby, the precursor to Glen Ellyn; Cooper and his associate eventually convinced the Excelsiors of Chicago to come to the suburb for a game that the Rustics ultimately lost by a score of 102-2.

But perhaps the most impressive draw of this architectural landmark on the famous S-curve at 545 North Park Boulevard, now on the market for $1.15 million, is the interior. The many updates over the years across its more than 4,500 square feet of living space have done nothing to diminish the appeal of many of its original features, including the hardwood floors, the intricate molding/trim, and several soaring ceilings—particularly those in the attic game room and the light-filled family room.

“The family room is just breathtaking,” says listing agent Loria Hamilton-Field, of Main Street Real Estate Group. “The beautiful woodwork and the wall of windows make you feel like you’re in a treehouse.”

Photos: Neil Sy Photography