Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

1892 Blodgett House

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

1. 1892 Blodgett House Marker

Inscription. In 1892, Charles Blodgett, the youngest son of Israel and Avis Blodgett, moved his parent's home to the rear of his property and built a modern home for his family. This house was typical of other houses built during the Victorian Era featuring a steep pitched roof, clapboard (overlapping) siding, decorative moldings & spindles and a porch that spans the front of the house.

Charles' house showed his family's wealth. It was large compared to many of the other homes in the area and several of the house's bedrooms contain closets - a rare feature at that time. Although modern by Victorian Era standards, it did not have indoor plumbing, electric or telephone service. These amenities did not arrive in the area until a few years later.

This house now serves as the Downers Grove Museum, which provides for the care and interpretation of artifacts and archives related to the history of Downers Grove.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 41° 47.562′ N, 88° 0.317′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is

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on Maple Avenue east of Lyman Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is in front of the Blodgett House, which houses the Downers Grove Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 831 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove IL 60515, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1846 Blodgett House (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); 1832 Log Cabin Footprint (a few steps from this marker); Charles Blodgett (a few steps from this marker); The Indian Boundary Line (a few steps from this marker); Israel and Avis Blodgett (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian Boundary / Carriage Step (within shouting distance of this marker); The Israel Blodgett House

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

2. 1892 Blodgett House Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

Also see . . . Downers Grove Historical Society: The Charles Blodgett House.

Excerpt: "In the 1950s and 60s, the home became a unique place to visit because it’s owner, Martin McGowan, filled it with taxidermied animals that he accumulated while hunting on five continents. Martin gave tours of the house to a maximum of 50 people at one time. The house became a historical museum in 1976 due to the joint effort of the Downers Grove Park District and the Historical Society. For the past 40 years, Historical Society members and Park District staff have used the home to educate all Downers Grove residents about their community’s history by organizing and creating exhibits, programs, research resources, and special events."

(Submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Downers Grove Museum campus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

3. Downers Grove Museum campus

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.