Marker #2888 - 1993. Built about 1900, this was the home of Kendall County Justice of the Peace and County Judge Julius A. Philip (1867-1935), his wife Anna (Meckel) (1867-1961), and their eight children. Originally built as a 4-room house, it was enlarged in the 1920's to accommodate the growing family, and the front porch was added in the 1930's. Prominent features of the house include board-and-batten siding, a gable roof, jig-sawn porch brackets and turned wood frieze.
The one story house is typical "turn of the century" rural, framed board and batten; original L shaped with a gable at each end of the roof. The roof is composition shingle to the original front section. The foundation is on cedar post, pier and beam construction. The windows are wood, single hung, 6 x 6 sash.
The house began as a four room house with a separate room in rear. Later two rooms and porch were added. The front porch is three sections wide with sawn wood brackets supporting spindles, with a unique gingerbread design of wooden stars framed in wooden hoops. The floor remains wooden.
At the time of purchase of the property, many post oak trees were on the land; however, little time was wasted putting in a field and garden. Hackberry trees were planted and still stand, giving lovely shade in the summer. A complete orchard of pear, plum, figs, apricots and grapes was planted and some still bear fruit.
This house was the home of Julius Phillip, pioneer and county judge of Kendall County and his wife, Anna (Meckel) Phillip also from a pioneer family. The house has been the residence of family members since it was built in 1900. Ella (Phillip) Massey lived here rearing her four children and until her death, then her granddaughter Cary Crea became the owner.
Comments