903 Western

HISTORIC IMPRESSIONS
The house: Michael F. Loughran home, 903 Western Ave.

Why it's important....
The home at 903 is an excellent example of the Queen Anne style, designed by the well known Chicago Architect W. C. Zimmerman. It was also the home of one of Joliets premier Real Estate and Loan practitioners.

Style....
The Loughran home is a well design Queen Anne home with Classical overtones. The Queen Anne is seen in the corner towers and steeply pitched roof. The classical is seen in the wrap around front porch.

The History....
The Loughran home was constructed in 1898 to plans drawn by Mr. Zimmerman. In 1898 a short entry was published in the Inland Architect and Building News which quotes the home being built for a cost of 98 thousand dollars, and having an electrical bell system for calling the servants from any point in the house. It also states that the home would be built with all of the modern comforts that were available in 1898.

The home and grounds would cover the entire block bounded by Western, Prairie, Buell and William. The iron fence which surrounded the grounds still survives along the Western frontage and half way along Prairie and William.

Michael and his wife Sarah and children moved into the home from their previous residence on south Ottawa St. They would live in the home through the early 20th century. After Michael’s death around 1915, Mrs. Loughran would stay in residence until her death in the 1940s. During this time their daughter Margaret married Patrick McFarland. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland would live in the home until Patrick’s death. At that time Mrs. McFarland is listed as the resident of the home until 1962. The home was then sold to Terry and Sarah Aversa. It was during this time the entire block estate was subdivided, and the other homes on the block were built.

Details....
The Loughran is full of wonderful details inside and out. There is the original iron fence around the yard. To the rear of the main house is the carriage house. The second floor balcony on the front is a masterpiece of Zimmerman design, with detailing foretelling more modern design.

From the wrap around front porch, you enter the vestibule with leaded glass windows and inlaid tile floor. You then enter into a wonderful central hall almost completely covered with detailed moldings. A colonnade set off to the left screens the majestic staircase. To the left is also the study with built in bookcases. To the right is the large double parlor with stunning woodwork.

To the rear of the hall is the entrance to the dining room. There is a massive built in china cabinet with curved niches on either side. The downstairs in completed with 2 sunrooms, a breakfast room and kitchen and butlers pantry.

The second floor is no less stunning, with the same wall details carried through the entire house. There are marble sinks, and a two room master suit across the front. To the rear is the staircase to the finished servants area on the third floor.

The People....
William Carbys Zimmerman was born in 1856 in Thiensville WI. He studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1880. After graduation he came to Chicago and opened the firm of Flanders and Zimmerman. Among his notable works are the Supreme Court building in Springfield, the Seventh Regiment Armory in Chicago, Original plans for Stateville Prison, and many fine residences in Chicago and the surrounding area. Mr. Zimmerman remained active in Chicago through his life and died in 1932.

Michael Loughran was born in 1844, in County Tyrone, Ireland. He is a true American success story. He came to Joliet in 1875 and started working in the rolling mill. In 1879 he left the mill and began his own business. In 1882, Michael began in the real estate business, with a short pause in the late 1880s, when he owned a liquor distribution business.

Eventually Loughran entered business with August Schoenstedt in real estate, insurance and loans. Their first office was in the Barber building, but in 1901 Loughran purchased the old Hennebry Building at Cass and Chicago and remodeled it and renamed it the Loughran building.

Loughran was married to Sarah Cassidy in 1876, and they had 4 children; Anna, Francis, Margaret and Agnes. Margaret married Patrick “Packy” McFarland, a well know prize fighter. The McFarland’s would live in the home until Margaret’s death in the 1960s.

Packy McFarland was born in 1888. He achieved great recognition as a prize fighter. Over his career he earned over $200,000 in prize money. In 1991 the Guinness Book of Records noted he had 97 fights (5 draws) without defeat from 1905-1915. He went on to serve on the Illinois Boxing Commission. He would die at his home in 1936 of step throat. At his funeral, over 3,000 people attended with then Governor of Illinois Henry Horner leading the funeral procession.

Today....
The home was purchased by Pete and Kate Woods in 1996. Kate walked into Aversas store in Oakbrook and asked if they were interested in selling the house. Kate had ridden the bus by the house growing up and always wanted to live there. A short time after Terry called and offered the house to them. They have spent the past 10 years working on various upgrades and restoration projects including stripping woodwork, and rewiring.

Did you know?....
In the entry hall of the Loughran house is a portrait of Michael F. Loughran, which has been passed from owner to owner.