1028 Sheridan Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091, USA

Bailey-Michelet House (Michelet House) - National Register of Historic Places

Statement of Significance:

1. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Clearly a fin e example of the Italianate e style modified by regional tastes and needs, the Bailey-Michelet House survives largely intact t from the 1870's both on the exterior and interior. The floor plan, construction and details have experienced not even minor alterations, an uncommon occurrence in Chicago. Historical y the house is associated with the Bailey family--early settlers i n Evanston who prospered--as the town expanded over the sit e of their original farm. As noted, William R. Bailey., original owner of the house, was prominent in formation of civic affairs of Evanston. The high integrity of the house is due to its acquisition and maintenance by Charles Jules Michelet, an attorney of prominence in Chicago, and successive occupancy by his descendants: his son Charles Jules Michelet, Jr.; his granddaughter Michele Michelet Boyer (present owner), and his great-grandchildren. Historically the family was active in the civic affairs of Wilmette. Of note is Annie Gertrude Michelet's involvement with the Women's Club as a founding member. (The club undertook various community improvement and betterment projects from its inception in 1891.) This residence played a major role in establishing the North Shore as unexcelled residential location. Low and swampy in the late 19th century, the shoreline had piers used for commercial or industrial purposes, i.e., coal and cattle, etc., as was the case of the dock near the Bailey loton Sheridan Road. The residences of the Michelet brothers, an attorney and a doctor, were the first in eastern Wilmette, and set the precedence for subsequent residential development. The area could have easily developed more intensive uses, were it not for the involvement of community leaders, like Michelet, who actively maintained that the appropriate use of the lake shore was for recreational purposes.

OTHER CITATIONS
1) The Domestic Architecture of Wilmette, 1981.
2) Wilmette Historical Society House Walk, May 5, 1974
3) The Village of Wilmette, Prints of Historical Interest, 1953.
4) Mary W. Engel. Centennial Award, 1976. Wilmette Historical Commission.

2. HISTORY
Commonly known as the "Bailey Homestead" in the late r 19th century, this Italianate residence was originally sited on Ridge Avenue, north of Central Street, opposite its intersection with Hill Street (now Maple Street). A small settlement had developed in the location since the 1840's, on the geographical land from Grosse Pointe--now the site of the Bai Hai Temple, just north of Evanston City limits. (Records indicate a log school c. 1845, Stebbins Tavem, McDaniel's Cabin, a pier and four other houses by the mid-1850's.) Prior to annexation in 1872, a parcel was acquired by members of the Bailey family and a house was erected. (Ranges in size from 5.5. to 7.5 acres).

The occupant and owner primarily associated with the house was Mrs. Nancy McAllister Bailey (1841 to 1896), who immigrated to the U.S. in 1861 at the age of 20 from Ireland. She was employed in the household of ex-Governor Evans (founder of Evanston and Northwestern University) until her marriage to William Roberts Bailey (1844 to 1890).

One of the five children of William Stanion and Sarah Bronson Roberts Bailey who immigrated to America in 1854 and settled in Evanston in 1859 Bailey had recently returned from serving in the 8th Illinoi s Cavalry during the Civil War. Thereafter he engaged in meat packing enterprises at the family property at 520 Davis (now 815), Where his father had conducted business as a tailor, broom-maker and florist.

With the Evanston population increasing from 831 in 1860 to 6,000 in 1873, Bailey prospered--having recently moved his market to their brick building on Davis Street (near original family home 520 Davis—now 815). Circumstantial data indicates the Bailey Michelet house was erected in 1871—either by the. Bailey's themselves, or for them by Luther L. Greenleaf. As the town grew in the late seventies and eighties, W.R. Bailey and his wife Nancy, increased their wealth through the meat market and other real estate investments. By 1887 they had acquired Bailey's Opera House (formerly Jennings). W.R. Bailey was the first Fire Marshall of Evanston, a member of the Evans Lodge, Logan Post and Businessman's Association — a man of local prominence as noted by his obituary.

Following the tin timely death of her husband at the age of 46 in 1890, Mrs. Nancy Bailey inherited the estate valued at approximately $150,000. Six years later, she died on August 22, 18f6, while travelling to her place of birth in Ireland. She had recently occupied a large brick Queen Anne-Colonial Revival residence at "The Oaks" (Bailey Family property at 2907 Sheridan (formerly Ridge), which replaced the frame Italianate house. Prior to her passing in 1896, accounts indicate Mr. Charles Jules Michelet, a Wilmette attorney, purchased the house from Mrs. Bailey. Michelet moved the house to its present site at 1028 Sheridan Road to land adjoining his brother's residence--the first house on Sheridan Road in Wilmette. These two residences appear on the 1897 U.S. G.S. Topographical Map; Evanston Quadrangle. Historical file s further indicated that Michelet had known the house in 1872 while attending the Evanston Academy. Subsequently, Mr. Michelet represented heirs of Mrs. Bailey in a widely publicized legal contest over her will which she supposedly executed refile under the duress of a Mr. Charles Teufel. A Chicago jeweler, Teufel befriended Mrs. Bailey after the death of her husband and influenced her to construct the large dwelling at "The Oaks". He benefitted from the will by inheriting the mansion and grounds valued at $150,000 to $200,000 in 1896. After an extended legal debate and retrial, the estate was awarded to Mrs. Bailey's rightful heirs who reportedly released Michelet from the cost of the house as payment for his legal fees.

Since 1896, the house has been occupied by succeeding generations of the Michelet family. Their biographies are briefly described below.

Charles Jules Michelet (1857 to 1928). Member of the Illinoi s Bar Association f or 50 years, and Chicago Bar Association for 34 years. Attended Evanston Academy (1872-1876), Northwestern University (1876-1880). Former editor of the "Kankakee Times". Married Annie Gertrude Warder in 1887. Located in Wilmette in 1889. Specialized in chancery matters, counseling in real estate and will contest cases which established legal precedent. Member of the Illinoi s National Gurad. Active in early civic affair s of Wilmette. Memorials; Chicago Bar Record.

Wife: Annie Gertrude Warder Michelet (1863 to 1938). Graduated Southern Illinoi s Normal University; Teacher, Founder of Wilmette's Women's Club. Sister of Walter Warder, Acting Governor of Illinoi s (July 1899 5 August 1900), President Pro-Tem of Senate in 41 General Assembly, Speaker of the House. Praised f or maintaining order during strikes in Williamson County during tenure of Governor Tanner. The Warder Family.

Son: Mr. Charles J. Michelet, Jr. Lifetime resident of Wilmette. Graduated Northwestern University (1913), Member of Sigma Chi, Wisconsin Huguenot Society and Illinoi s Society-Sons of the American Revolution. Married Faye Irene Fullerton. Retired as Research Engineer in 1955. Member of Western Society of Engineers and Christ Episcopal Church, Naval Fleet Reserve. The Hereditary Register of the United States.

Daughter-in-law: Mrs. Charles Jules Michelet. (Faye Irene Fullerton). Bom Tuscola, Illinois. Married Michelet, Jr. in 1937. B.A. University of Illinoi s and Northwestern University. Daughter of the American Revolution, Sons 5 Daughters of Pilgrims, Colonial Dame. Past Present of the William Dawes Society. The Hereditary Register of the United States.

Granddaughter: Michele Michelet Boyer: Iowa Wesleyan College, 1954. National College of Education, 1981. Certified teacher. Numerous honors and memberships. Published in the Chicago Tribune. Active in Community Affairs. Outstanding Young Women of America.

Great Grandchildren of C.J. Michelet, Sr: Amy Irene Boyer, and Michael Charles Michelet Boyer.

NOTE: This listing contains partial biographical information on descendants who have occupied the house from 1896 to the present time.