Graham–Ginestra House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Graham–Ginestra House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1115 S. Main St., Rockford, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000879 |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1979 |
The Graham–Ginestra House is a historic home located in Rockford, Illinois, United States. It is a special building because of its long history and unique design.
Contents
History of the Graham–Ginestra House
Freeman Graham, the First Owner
The house was built in 1857 for Freeman Graham, Sr. He was a very successful businessman from Connecticut. Mr. Graham moved to Rockford, Illinois, to manage a company called Emerson, Talcott & Company. This company made tools for farms.
Before moving to Rockford, he had learned a lot about making cotton and wool products. He also owned part of the Rockford Cotton Mills. Mr. Graham built his new home so it was about halfway between his two main businesses. This made him one of the first people to settle on the southwest side of Rockford. He was also elected as an Alderman for the Fifth Ward in Rockford, which means he helped make decisions for the city. Freeman Graham passed away in 1896.
From Graham to Ginestra
After Freeman Graham's death, the house was given to his daughter, Julia, and her husband, Henry S. Warner. Henry Warner worked as the secretary-treasurer for the Graham Match Company. They lived in the house until 1927.
In 1927, they sold the house to Leo Ginestra. Mr. Ginestra was an immigrant from Sicily, Italy. He was a mechanic and owned a place where people could park their mobile homes. He was part of the growing Italian community in Rockford during the 1920s. The Graham–Ginestra House was right in the middle of this community's main business area. Leo Ginestra lived in the house until he passed away in 1978.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its important role in showing the cultural history of Rockford, the house was recognized as a special place. On June 11, 1979, the National Park Service added the Graham–Ginestra House to the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect important historical buildings across the country.
Architecture of the House
The Graham–Ginestra House is a two-story building. It was built using a type of stone called Galena dolomite limestone. This stone is known for being strong and durable.
The house shows influences from two popular building styles of its time:
- Italianate style: This style often includes features like wide overhanging roofs, decorative brackets, and tall, narrow windows.
- Greek Revival style: This style often looks like ancient Greek temples, with features like columns, simple shapes, and a grand entrance.
The mix of these two styles makes the Graham–Ginestra House a unique and interesting example of architecture from the mid-1800s.
