Blue Island in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Conrad & Matilda Kich House

built 1878

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 31, 2025

1. Conrad & Matilda Kich House Marker

Inscription. Conrad Kich arrived in Blue Island in 1849 at age 11. His father, Peter, was among the first Germans to settle in Blue Island. Kich worked as a "section boss" for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. He was also a volunteer fireman, and became a City Trustee in 1879. Conrad Kich married Matilda Sittig and had nine children, building this two-story Italianate home in 1878. The Kich family lived in the house until 1907 when it was sold to Walter and Frieda Alsip.

The Italianate influences in the Kich House include double bracketed eave supports on the front gable of the house, rectangular arched windows, and a single story, column supported front porch. This architectural style was popular in the mid-1800s, being built by talented craftsmen and homeowners working from newly published pattern books. These craftsmen and builders were supplied with elaborate woodwork which made impressive detailing available to the middle classes.

Historic Blue Island, Illinois
Founded 1835

This project was supported in part by a Preserve America grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 41° 39.42′ N, 87° 41.085′ W. Marker is on Blue Island, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of York Street and Maple Avenue, on the right on York Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2551 York Street, Blue Island IL 60406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago

and in the Calumet Region.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Myrtle Albee House, 1878 (within shouting distance of

Conrad & Matilda Kich House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 31, 2025

2. Conrad & Matilda Kich House

this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Alden J. Klein House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paul T. & Caryl Klenk House (about 700 feet away); Albert & Alice Roche House (about 700 feet away); The William Henke House (about 700 feet away); The Buenger/Nelson House (about 700 feet away); The William Schreiber House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Island.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.