Mary Anne Brock has lived in the house on South Columbia Street for most of her life, but the frame structure wasn’t always located there. After researching the history of this unique home for several years, she verified that her home was a carriage house built in 1909 and moved in 1930 from North Brainard Street. To signify the home’s historic status in the community, she recently received a Naperville Heritage Society Historic Structures Plaque. The plaques are given to property owners who promote the preservation, restoration and maintenance of historic homes, buildings and sites in Naperville.
Mary Anne’s father, Paul Brock, was a well-known Naperville brick and stone mason and plastering contractor, who moved the carriage house from its original location on North Brainard Street to its new home on South Columbia. The home associated with the carriage house was once occupied by the president of North Western College (now North Central College). According to Mary Anne, eyewitnesses saw the building being moved by horses through the neighborhoods.
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The exterior walls are the original wood of the carriage house. The chimney and front porch were added and are quarry stone and brick. One of the unique architectural details of the home is the staircase leading up to the front door. In 1932, Brock was the foreman during the conversion of one of the limestone quarries into the Centennial Beach swimming pool. The Beach’s bathhouse was built in 1934, and he installed the quarry stone and concrete staircases leading down from the bathhouse, which are very similar to the stairs in his own home.
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Mary Anne said she is proud of receiving the plaque and credits her father with his vision for their home and the community. He was involved in many projects in Naperville, including the monument to Bailey Hobson, located in Pioneer Park.
Naper Settlement’s Curator of Research Bryan Ogg said, “With this plaque, we are honoring your parent’s legacy in the community.”
The Naperville Heritage Society Historic Structures Plaque Program has been in place since 1970 and over 100 homes and businesses have been recognized. Homeowners who want to participate in the program can call Ogg at (630) 305-3535 for an application.
