Kroehler Mansion has stood since 1907 according to the Daily Herald, when Peter Kroehler, two-time elected mayor of Naperville and owner of Kroehler Manufacturing Co., built the home for him and his wife.
But now, the days of Kroehler mansion may be numbered.
The mansion’s current owner, Little Friends, has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The document would allow the demolition of a building within a historic district. The matter was at a standstill until Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Center, when the Historic Preservation Commission met to determine the status of the house. The Commission rejected Little Friends’ request to demolish the 111-year-old building.
Little Friends is hoping for an alternative route. In an article published in August by the Daily Herald, a spokesperson of Little Friends said the mansion was offered free to several different organizations in Naperville if that organization was willing to pay to move it.
Community Planner of the Historic Preservation Commission, Gabrielle Mattingly, wrote that the Little Friends property is located within the local historic district. The district offers protection from demolition or major alterations without proper documentation.
People thought Little Friends was against historic preservation because of the proposed demolition.
“We even offered the settlement and the city the opportunity to acquire some lots if they wanted to use the property for something else,” said Mike Briggs. “We would have carved out space to allow that to happen and moved the building over to a new lot. No one has selected to capitalize on that opportunity.”
Little Friends is dedicated to helping children, adults and their families challenged by intellectual developmental disabilities and autism. Although their resources are limited, they offer a wide array of services for everyone ages 18 months through the end of life. Little Friends served nearly 1,000 people last year and has over 400 employees. The mansion is a school for 14 to 18-year-olds who have social and emotional issues.
The current facilities of Little Friends present significant issues. “Right now it’s very difficult for us to help kids that are in a wheelchair because the building doesn’t have elevators and it doesn’t have what’s really necessary to be able to provide support,” said Briggs.
If Little Friends could sell the property, they would combine all operations in Naperville and a school in Downers Grove and “put it all under one roof with this new facility in Warrenville.” Briggs said more accessible facilities are a “condition upon our ability to sell our property and reap the benefits from the sale of the land.”
However, the potential sale is very controversial.
Dominic Nugent, founder of the Facebook Group ‘Save Kroehler Mansion’ reflects on the significance of the homeowner. Located at 126 N. Wright Street, Kroehler Mansion may lack some of the splendor of other historic landmarks, but compensates through associated history.
“It’s not a Frank Lloyd Wright house, but it’s designated as historically significant because of Peter Kroehler,” said Nugent.
Kroehler’s story was a true American dream, according to Naper Settlement. Kroehler began as a farm boy in Minnesota. His father encouraged schooling, even during the summer. Kroehler attended what would later become North Central College and worked his way up to become partner, and then owner, of the Naperville Lounge Company. This then changed to Kroehler Manufacturing Co. At its peak, Kroehler had over $100 million in annual sales revenue.
The company faltered and failed in the economic hardships of the ’70s. In 1978, the Naperville factory closed forever. However, Kroehler’s name and legacy still grace the city, from the Kroehler YMCA to memorabilia in Naper Settlement.
Kroehler relied on the old school way of doing business, said Nugent, when joining a company meant “you’re part of the family.”
Naperville may not have reached its current potential without Kroehler. Businesses throughout the town relied on Kroehler employees. “Without a big job creator to drive incomes, towns struggle,” said Nugent. “If Kroehler left, Naperville … would have been on life support.”
“People love old towns and it’s the character and charm that makes them interesting,” said Nugent. “Naperville is still holding on to that by the skin of their teeth. There’s pressure to grow and become its modern self. It means tearing down so much … we can be both, and the Historic District was created to give that a fighting chance.”
