Al Bowen House History
This original Ledges' home, which many had believed was built by Ledges' founder Al Bowen, was actually built in 1942 by Harry Swanson, president of Elco Tool in Rockford. Current residents Dennis and Nola Burke share this bit of Ledges' history, after a chance meeting raised some questions about the home's early years.
Bowen Home History
Submitted by Dennis Burke
In the summer of 1997, Nola and I noticed a family dressed in formal attire walking down our driveway. A curious event for that season so I introduced myself and found out that the Weston family was in town attending their grandfather's funeral. They thought our home was their grandmother's original home when she was married to a Mr. Harry Swanson. I explained that I thought Mr. Bowen built the house in the 1940's and that they were mistaken. Nevertheless, I located the original house drawings to see if we could find any identification.
To my surprise, the drawings indicated that the Swansons (the Weston family's grandmother) built the house in the early 1940's. As we conducted a tour of the house, I explained how I thought the original house was laid out.
The Westons thanked us and left. A few months later, we received a package of information about the house. This information included a prospectus and some black and white photographs of the house. I found it to be very interesting and decided to take black and white photos from the same angles to show the house then and now.
Harry Swanson and his wife built the house in 1942. After Harry Swanson's sudden death, E.W. Green bought the estate. (Following that, per a prospective dated 1947), I believe that is when Mr. Bowen bought the property and house.
I believe the Bowens built the Eberlies' house where the fishpond and swimming pool were located for their daughter.
I believe the J. Thomas Fishers bought the house in 1967, and then Dr. Klink bought the house in the 1970s. The Klinks made significant renovations to the house during their occupancy.
We purchased the house in 1986 and made major renovations in 1994 and 1997. The house and property have evolved over the years but the house has retained its prairie lines and beautiful vistas. We want to thank the Weston family for furnishing the prospectus and photographs that allow us a view of the past.
Architects' rendering of the Harry O. Swanson home (click photo to view larger)
Southern view of original Harry O. Swanson home (TOP) and today (BOTTOM).
Northern view of home (1940's TOP) and today (BOTTOM)
© 2012, Ledges Property Owners Association