SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP BARNS, THEN AND NOW–POST 1

jrozek

Nov 27

On September 10, 2022 the Schaumburg Township Historical Society conducted a well-received, sold-out bus tour of the barns of Schaumburg Township. Attendees visited five barns that still exist and were also provided with information on five "ghost" barns that have vanished from the landscape.

Researched by the Society's barn tour committee, this is the first of two posts from the pamphlet that they produced for the tour. This post centers around the barns that can still be found today in the villages of Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg.

Hattendorf Barn at Volkening Heritage Farm in Schaumburg. Photo credit to Carole Pye.

Volkening Heritage Farmhouse & Hattendorf Barn
201 South Plum Grove Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194

This property was originally purchased from the federal government by Johann and Sophie Boeger, shortly after they arrived from Germany in 1845. At least 8 more families lived on this farm over the next 100 years.

The Boeger farm was saved from destruction in 1979, when the Cook County Highway Department straightened Plum Grove Road near Schaumburg Road. Various civic organizations raised the money to move it to its current location, where it serves as the farmhouse for the 1880s operating farm. It is called Volkening because of the generous donation of Fred Volkening, a 90-year Schaumburg resident.

The barn dates back to 1883, and was donated by Kennedy Builders when they began to develop land that was the Hattendorf farm. The foundation and timbers are original. The roof and siding are new. The Hattendorf barn was reassembled at Spring Valley in 1993 during a community barn-raising event.

Turret House Barn / Coach House in Schaumburg. Photo credit to Carolyn McClure.

Turret House Barn / Coach House
17 East Schaumburg Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194

The Turret House was built in 1901 by prominent Schaumburg architect Louis Menke, and is an example of Queen Anne architecture. Mr. Menke lived there with his wife and six children.

The coach house, which is a reconstruction of the original barn, but with the original cupola, was used to house the wagon and buggy and also served as a stable for the horses. The shed was heated and was used as Menke's workroom.

Eventually, Lou Malnatis owned it, but in 2010 the Village of Schaumburg acquired it through a land swap. The Turret House was completely renovated in 2011 and now houses the Schaumburg Family Counseling Center. A cement marker behind the Turret House has been preserved as a marker for Stratford Farms.

Mennonite Church, a former barn on the Stratford Farms property in Schaumburg. Photo credit to Pat Barch.

Stratford Farms / Mennonite Church Barn
888 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Stratford Farms, which started around 1913, was originally owned by prominent Chicago attorney and real estate mogul, Levy Mayer, who also owned the Stratford Hotel, at Jackson and Michigan in Chicago. Produce, dairy and meat went to the hotel, "farm to table."

It was eventually purchased by nationally known orchestra leader Wayne King, famous for his nine year run at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. He built the ranch house in front of the barn and rehearsed with his band in the living room. He sold the farm in 1957.

In 1988, the property was purchased by the Mennonite Church to serve as a church and Sunday School. To help the community, they renovated the barn and in 2007, Big Barn Preschool opened its doors.

The cement marker that once identified Stratford Farms has been preserved and stands behind the Turret House.

The Barn in Schaumburg. Photo credit to Pat Barch.

The Schaumburg Barn
231 Civic Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60193

The Schaumburg Barn was part of the farm owned by slot machine magnate, Ode D. Jennings, who bought the 200-acre farm in 1918, as a retreat from the business world of Chicago.

It was eventually purchased by Campanelli Brothers, developers of Weathersfield, Schaumburg's first subdivision. Campanelli Brothers donated 11 acres, including a large barn, a farmhouse and other buildings to the Village of Schaumburg.

The Barn, which was built around 1920, was renovated and during the 1960s, was Schaumburg's first police station and jail, and also a circuit court. It is now used as a Senior Center and Teen Center.

Vogelei barn in Hoffman Estates. Photo credit to Carole Pye.

Vogelei Barn
650 West Higgins Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

The Vogelei home and barn were built around 1916 at a cost of $5500. It was owned for many years by Edward and Amanda Sunderlage, who inherited it from her parents, the Giesekes. The original barn burned down in 1937 and a new one was built.

In 1952, the property was purchased by Ida Vogelei. Approached by the Hoffman Estates Park District in 1968, she sold it for $150,000, with the agreement that the park be named for her.

Throughout the years, the barn has housed preschool programs, a teen center, a theatre group and gymnastics programs.

Special thanks to the Bus Tour Committee of Carole Pye, Pat Barch, Denise Suender Carolyn McClure and Nancy Mamson for their work in putting this brochure together. It is a unique perspective because these barns are a symbol of a bygone era of Schaumburg Township's rural, agrarian history.

Next week there will be an account of some of the ghost barns of the township. Be sure and drop in.

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