As a move is contemplated for the Flint Creek Schoolhouse from its historical location at Miller and Kelsey Roads, to a preservation location at Cuba Township’s “The Grove”, it is interesting to recollect other moves in Cuba Township that have involved buildings rather than people.   This is not to claim that this is a complete documentation, but it is based on records available to the writer.

 

Perhaps the most significant move in terms of the Township’s own history is that of the house at “The Grove”, west of the Township’s Road District building.   Part of the building was originally on land at the southeast corner of Cuba Road, opposite the entrance to West Creek Flynn Drive.   In 1851, the house belonged to Noble R. Hayes, and it was there, in 1851, that the first meeting of the Cuba Township board was held. 

 

In the later part of the 19th century, the house was moved across what is now Northwest Highway and the railroad tracks, and joined to an existing house on Cuba Road, now, “The Grove”.   According to the late Bill Klingenberg, the joined houses became a boarding house for workers at the Fricke Cheese Factory.          

 

The Cheese Factory was located at the southwest corner of Cuba and Buckley Roads by the creek.  The original factory was destroyed by fire in 1889, and a new one was built. That building was moved, and is now a residence on West Cuba Road, which happens to be for sale at time of publication.   Photographs show an attractive renovation of a building with an interesting history.

 

Another moving which took place a long time ago involves 615 West Miller Road, west of Route 59.  The original Miller Road house, was built in 1875 by Gottlieb Kuhlman for a C.J Sommerfield.  In 1914, the Gossel house, which was also built in 1875, was moved from land now part of Lake Barrington Shores, and added to the Sommerfield house.

 

In an earlier newsletter, writing about The Foundry of Barrington, it was noted that the American Malleable Ironworks, a late 19th and early 20th century business in the area, had started a community of worker housing in the area now known as the Highlands. After the company went bankrupt, and the workers departed, the house movers came in, taking many of the cottages to other locations.   One is definitely known, because in 1912 it was moved to become 216 Dundee Avenue in Barrington.

 

Another house move took place in the 1920s, on the Cuba side of the Village, which had been founded in 1854.  L.H. Bute, who was one of the Township’s first road commissioners, and a lawyer, built his house on the west side of North Hough Street, south of the Union Pacific tracks.   Later, it became the residence and practice of Dr. David Richardson, who, as noted by Arnett C. Lines in his history, was a homeopath.   As that area, and west, was commercially developed in the 1920s, all the houses were moved to other locations.  The Bute/Richardson house went to #108 Raymond Avenue, where it is to this day.

 

More recent building moves, such as the Barrington Railroad Station in 1978 (now Chessie’s Restaurant) and the Blacksmith Shop, from Station Street to the Historical Society, have drawn great public interest.   When the Flint Creek Schoolhouse is moved, let us celebrate a Barrington area/Cuba Township tradition in style! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Barbara Benson

The following items can be accepted for recycling at Cuba Township:

 

                                       Computers, computer related items, old tires and small electronics

can be accepted at the

Cuba Township Road District

  Monday– Friday 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

 

Cell phones, ink jet cartridges and old eyeglasses

 can be accepted at the

Cuba Township office

Monday—Friday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

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