
Step back in time with two charming historic homes from the early 1900s, each with its own unique appeal. The 1915 Grayslake cottage, priced at $375,000, offers serene lake views and a spacious new heated 3-car garage, perfect for creative ventures or quiet retreat. Meanwhile, the 1900 West Frankfort property is a budget-friendly gem at $49,900, featuring a welcoming front porch, a wheelchair-accessible ramp, and ample living space including three inviting bedrooms. Whether you dream of peaceful lakeside living or a cozy family home with practical amenities, these timeless residences blend history, character, and opportunity in two distinct Illinois communities.
1. 1915 Lakeside Cottage Home in Grayslake, IL

This charming 1915 lakeside cottage in Grayslake, Illinois, expertly designed by architect William Hooper, offers timeless character and serene lake views on a secluded, tree-lined lot. Its historic architecture has been featured in Home & Garden magazine, blending custom craftsmanship with natural beauty. The home includes expansive windows that frame private Highland Lake, surrounded by mature trees providing privacy. Recent additions include a newer heated, oversized 3-car garage with a versatile loft. Sold AS-IS for $375,000, this property presents an exceptional opportunity to restore a historic gem with access to a members-only beach just a block away. The lakeside setting, mature landscaping, and close proximity to downtown create an idyllic retreat.
Historic Cottage

This historic American cottage features a warm, reddish-brown wooden shingle exterior combined with white-framed, multi-pane windows that accentuate its classic charm. A prominent double-door entrance with large glass panes invites natural light inside, while green shutters add a contrasting touch. The building’s roof slopes gently, framed by mature trees that create a shaded canopy overhead. A gently curving brick pathway winds through a modest garden filled with leafy plants and flowering bushes, leading to a quaint porch area enclosed by a white railing. The overall design expresses a timeless, rustic appeal rooted in traditional American architectural styles.
Living Room

This living room features natural wood flooring complemented by medium-tone wooden trim around the doors, windows, and built-in cabinetry. A stone fireplace with a brass fireplace screen serves as the central focal point, flanked on both sides by wooden cabinets with glass-fronted upper sections, providing storage and display options. Recessed lighting set into a white ceiling brightens the space, while a ceiling fan with wooden blades adds functional airflow. French doors with multiple glass panes lead outdoors, allowing light and views of greenery, and a small adjacent room with brick flooring is accessible through an open doorway to the left.
Living Room

This living room features vaulted ceilings with exposed beams painted white, enhancing the spaciousness and historic charm. Walls consist of horizontal wooden paneling in a soft cream tone with subtle grapevine floral murals on the staircase railings. Dark hardwood floors provide a rich contrast, reflecting natural light entering through large, double French doors and an upper window. These glass panes reveal leafy greenery outside. Built-in wooden window shutters and small window coverings add period detail. A track lighting fixture with multiple adjustable bulbs illuminates the room, which remains unfurnished, emphasizing its architectural elements and bright ambiance.
Kitchen Countertop

A long kitchen countertop runs beneath five double-hung windows, flooding the space with natural light and offering garden views. Natural wood cabinets with a classic design provide ample storage, complemented by a gray solid surface countertop. A stainless steel dishwasher is integrated into the cabinetry, enhancing the workspace functionality. The ceiling features wood planks with a warm tone, highlighted by decorative metal brackets supporting the beam. Lighting includes track fixtures and a stained glass pendant, adding historic style cues. Dark hardwood floors with a glossy finish contrast the pale walls, emphasizing the kitchen’s open layout.
Bathroom Vanity

The bathroom features a white vanity cabinet with a smooth countertop and oval integrated sink, complemented by a dual-handle chrome faucet. Above the vanity, an oval mirror with an ornate gold frame reflects soft ambient light from a vintage-style lantern sconce mounted on the adjacent wall. Beneath the sconce, a dark wood shelf with a small mirror adds historic charm. A wooden built-in shelving unit sits next to a white toilet with a modern design. The room’s walls are painted a soft gray, paired with wood-look vinyl plank flooring, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Living Room

This living room features a ceiling with architectural recesses housing three skylights that illuminate the space with natural light. The white walls contrast with the wooden window frames and trim, adding warmth to the room. A ceiling fan with wooden blades hangs centrally, providing gentle airflow. There is an exposed closet area beside a wooden-framed glass door leading to an adjacent space. The floor is unfinished, revealing a bare, rustic subfloor. A blue cast iron wood stove sits on a tiled hearth in the corner, with a black chimney pipe extending upward, hinting at historic heating methods.
Listing Agent: Nano Engdahl of Baird & Warner via Zillow
2. 1900 Traditional Home in West Frankfort, IL

This charming traditional home, built in 1900, stands gracefully in West Frankfort, Illinois, offering a blend of historical significance and modern functionality. Featuring three bedrooms and 1.5 baths, it includes both living and family rooms, an eat-in kitchen, and a formal dining area. A sizable bedroom on the first floor with a half bath enhances accessibility, complemented by a front porch ready for relaxation and a back deck with a wheelchair-accessible ramp. The property includes a small basement ideal for stormy weather protection and a carport for convenience. Priced at $49,900, this home presents excellent value and ample space on its inviting plot.
Back Entrance

This historic American home features a distinctive back entrance with white horizontal siding and a small awning above the door. The green wooden ramp, showing signs of weathering, leads up to the entrance, supported by sturdy railings on both sides. A single window next to the door admits natural light into the interior, framed by white trim. The roofing includes gray shingles with neat lines. Surrounding greenery and mature trees provide shade, while a fenced garden area offers privacy. Foundations of exposed stone and concrete blocks reflect durable construction techniques common in traditional American homes.
Living Room

This living room features cream-colored walls with a floral wallpaper border near the ceiling, creating a vintage aesthetic. The ceiling is paneled and holds a ceiling fan with multiple lights and wooden blades. Windows are dressed with layered cream and dark green drapes and blinds, allowing soft natural light to enter. Furnishings include a plush beige armchair with a side table holding a classic lamp, an octagonal wooden cabinet topped with decorative items, and a wooden display cabinet near the entrance. Light carpet flooring covers the space. Wall decor includes framed pictures and an oval mirror.
Kitchen Area

A compact kitchen features a mix of wood cabinetry with natural and dark green painted finishes adorned with floral motifs. White countertops extend along the wall, centered by a white double sink beneath dual windows dressed with ruffled plaid curtains and narrow blinds. A white gas stove occupies the left-hand side, while a white refrigerator sits adjacent, near a doorway leading to another room. On the right wall, oak cabinets with glass inserts hold kitchen essentials, alongside a toaster oven resting on a white appliance. A round wooden dining table with spindle-back chairs anchors the brown floor beneath a white ceiling with simple paneling.
Upstairs Room

This upstairs room features wood-paneled walls and ceiling, evoking mid-20th-century American residential style. The ceiling slopes on two sides, indicating attic space usage. The lighting fixture is simple and centrally positioned. The floor is covered with a multicolored striped carpet, primarily red and orange tones, adding vibrancy against the wood. Furnishings include a vintage wooden bookcase against the right wall and a white open-sided dresser centrally placed. A doorway leads to a carpeted hallway with similar striped flooring. The room’s overall aesthetic suggests a utilitarian yet cozy space, reflective of historic American home interiors.
Bathroom

This small bathroom features a white porcelain toilet with a padded lid beside a compact vanity sink with cream-colored cabinetry and a marbled countertop. Vertical striped wallpaper in muted beige and light brown tones covers the walls, providing a textured, vintage feel. A single wall-mounted light fixture with a glass shade illuminates the space above a rectangular mirror. The flooring is carpet in a neutral taupe tone, contributing to the dated ambiance. Simple chrome faucets and a basic towel holder add functional details. The constrained layout suggests a utilitarian design typical of mid-to-late 20th century American homes.
Listing Agent: CHRISTY POWERS of PROPERTY WITH TLC, LLC via Zillow