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This is the last house that the Van Bergens built for themselves in Illinois before moving to California.
This house was on 30 acres of land on a slope looking down into an artificial pond (originally a stream that was dammed by Van Bergen). It was one story common brick with flat ponded roofs. The roofs could be flooded to assist in hot weather cooling through evaporation. The house contained one bedroom, a studio, two bathrooms, a solarium and a built-in dog house. Inside throughout were concrete floors covered with wax with radiant heating underneath. Though the house has been substantially altered and enlarged and a large indoor swimming pool added, the original brick chimney and parts of two exterior brick walls are still visible.
The Van Bergens bought this property in August, 1950 and construction was started that October. They moved in on August 1, 1951. In February, 1954 it was sold and John and Ruth left for Califirnia in March.
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