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Mail Order, Kit or Catalog Houses

Beginning in the early 1900s through the 1940s, many homes were bought as kits from companies like Sears, Aladdin, and Montgomery Ward. A number of mail order homes were constructed in St. Charles. 

In 2013, the St. Charles Historic Preservation Commission worked with architectural historian Rebecca Hunter to conduct a street-by-street survey of St. Charles to identify possible mail order homes marketed by Sears Roebuck, Gordon-Van Tine, Montgomery Ward, Harris Brothers, Aladdin, Lewis, and Sterling. A total of 68 homes were identified. 

For the Week of November 25, 2013 - Final Update on Municipal Center Project

As part of an ongoing commitment to maintain City owned facilities, last year, the Public Services Division completed an exterior conditions analysis of the Municipal Building at 2 E. Main Street. The analysis was performed by a local architectural-construction firm, the Prairie Forge Group. This analysis was a study of the building’s exterior shell and resulted in identifying key deficiencies that required repairs to keep the structure weather-tight.

For the Week of September 30, 2013

The construction work on the Municipal Building is in its final stages.  Window replacements on the upper floor of the east elevation of the Old City Hall have been completed and the large “garage door” window is installed. Replacement of the limestone base and stone copings has been completed and a final washing of this elevation is underway.

The roofing contractor has finalized the replacement work on all the roof sections. Only minor finishing touches are left as the interface between the roof and the outward facing elevations are completed.

For the Week of September 16, 2013

The construction work on the Municipal Building continues to move forward this week.  Window replacements on the upper floor of the east elevation of Old City Hall have been completed and the large “garage door” window is being installed. Replacement of the limestone base and stone copings is underway and a final washing of this elevation is scheduled in the coming weeks.

Tree Care: Proper Mulching

Wood Mulch is a good source of nutrients and protection for your tree.  Once a year the mulch should be turned and new mulch added as needed.  Mulch should be applied from the drip line toward the trunk.  If this is not practical, minimum mulch circles should be 1.1 feet for small trees, 3.3 feet for medium trees and 9.9 feet for large trees.  As beneficial as mulch is, too much can be harmful.  The recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches.  Mulch should not be piled up around the base or against the trunk of trees.  This is called a "mulch volcano".  

For the Week of September 2, 2013

Restoration work on the Municipal Building continues on schedule this week. Window replacements on the upper floor of the east elevation of the Old City Hall and South Annex building have been completed, with the exception of the large “garage door” type window. Replacement of the limestone base and stone copings is underway and a final washing of this elevation is scheduled in the coming weeks.

For the Week of August 19, 2013

Restoration work on the Municipal Building continues on schedule this week. Window replacements on the upper floor of the east elevation of the Old City Hall and South Annex building are proceeding and will continue into next week. Replacement of the limestone base and stone copings is ongoing and a final washing of this elevation is scheduled in the coming weeks. All of the scaffolding along the east elevation has been removed and the public sidewalk has been re-opened with only minor daily closures.

For the Week of August 12, 2013

Restoration work on the Municipal Building continues on schedule this week. Restoration of the brick along the east elevation of the Old City Hall and South Annex building has been completed. Replacement of the limestone base and stone copings is underway and a final washing of this elevation is scheduled in the coming weeks. All of the scaffolding along the east elevation has been removed and the public sidewalk has been re-opened with only minor daily closures.

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