Healy Chapel

Healy Chapel

Healy Chapel in 2011
Location 332 W. Downer Pl.
Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, United States
Coordinates 41°45′33″N 88°19′23″W / 41.75917°N 88.32306°W / 41.75917; -88.32306Coordinates: 41°45′33″N 88°19′23″W / 41.75917°N 88.32306°W / 41.75917; -88.32306
Built 1927
Architect George Grant Elmslie
Architectural style Prairie School
NRHP Reference # 85000361
Added to NRHP February 28, 1985

Healy Chapel is a historic mortuary in Aurora, Illinois. It was designed by George Grant Elmslie and is one of only a few Prairie School buildings designed for commercial purposes.

History

William H. Healy moved from Yorkville, Illinois to Aurora in 1891. He opened "Healy and Blair", a furniture store that doubled as a mortuary. His brother, Arthur N. Healy, joined him in a new partnership in 1901 and they moved into a new building at 50 W Downer Place. Focusing almost exclusively on undertaking, the firm was officially incorporated in 1919. Increased demand for their services led to the need for a new building.[1]

The Healy Chapel is one of only a few commercial buildings built in the Prairie School style. It was designed by George Grant Elmslie, a renowned architect who worked with Louis Sullivan. Like most Prairie School buildings, there is a strong emphasis on horizontal designs on the exterior. The three-story building features beige stucco along the third floor. A line of orange-glazed terracotta separates the stucco from the brick lower levels.[1]

The building was constructed down the street from the old practice, at 332 W. Downer Place, and cost $100,000. The Healys were the first to bring hearse service to Aurora, and the Healy Chapel is recognized as the first building in the state exclusively used as a mortuary. It is located in the West Side Historic District, but is listed as a non-contributing property. It remains family-owned and continues to operate.[1]

External links

References

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