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Robert N. Erskine Residence - 1913
714 Columbian - Oak Park, Illinois

          Mr. Erskine was a senior partner in the law firm of Erskine, Wilkinson and Davis.  His father was a master mechanic for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and may have been acquainted with Van Bergen's father who also worked for that railroad.
          The interior of this house is different from other Van Bergen designs in that the front entrance and the stairways are on opposite sides of the house.  (It thus lacks the entry/stair core that is typical.)  Therefore a hallway is added, space is wasted and continuity is interrupted.  This situation is similar to that of the Hemingway house and the Horder residence.
          The two story addition on the back of the house upsets the balance of the exterior, but adds much needed space to the interior.
          The permit is dated November 7, 1913.  This house is next door to the Griess Residence at 716 Columbian which was built about six months later in 1914.

Griess and Erskine Residences

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