By Karen Haave

The Joseph Ferris Perry house at 365 W. Exchange St. has been recognized and designated by the Crete Village Board as historically significant.

Already on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places, it now is set to be designated a landmark in Will County and with the Will County Historic Preservation Commission, as well.

The stately home fits numerous criteria required for nomination by the WCHPC, including “character, interest or value which is part of the development, heritage, or cultural character of the community” and is “identified with a person who significantly contributed to the development of the community.”

It was built by Dr. Joseph Perry, who moved to Crete to escape interference in his life from his in-laws.

He bought 45 acres of land from George Goodenow on December 1, 1854, with another 20 acres added later.

Joseph Ferris Perry, Dr. Perry’s eldest “and most beloved son,” became a teacher in Dolton, Illinois, and in 1877, became Superintendent of the Joliet East School District.

He was elected Regional Superintendent of Schools of Will County in 1878, a position he held until 1882.

To address the poverty, he instituted soup kitchens for the children and their families, and eventually arranged to provide lunch for children in public schools regularly.

Joseph Ferris Perry lived alternately in Joliet and Crete. The house and 64 acres stayed with the Perry family until the death of his wife, Elizabeth, in 1926.

The house now is owned by Lauro Garcia.

“Dr. Perry is a relative on my father’s side through his son, Joseph Ferris,” Garcia explained. “The house stayed in the family until 1926, and I re-acquired it in 2018. I also take care of Dr. Perry’s grave site and those of nine other relatives in the Crete Historic Cemetery. He has been there since 1887.”

While the National Register of Historic Places is the highest designation for a landmark, Garcia noted that local landmark status protects the building and limits changes that may be made.

“The Will County preservation contains a statute that forbids any additions or changes not strictly belonging to that period,” he said

“No additions, like plastic or out-of-place items. Even things like in certain houses are common, for example basketball rings are strictly forbidden. Once the canon is applied, the place is frozen in its originality, and can only be preserved or repaired exactly as it is now.

“It is to preserve it for posterity in perpetuity. Even the homeowner’s insurance has a provision requiring restoration with ‘original materials’ in case of damage.

“The house, which originally was in Italianate style (1854-1890) was redesigned in the 1890s in the Queen Anne style. It stayed in the Perry family until the death of the daughter in law of Dr. Perry in 1926. The property was sold during the depression, and the land around it was subdivided.

“Fortunately, it was always inhabited, which helped to preserve it in very good condition. We acquired it in 2018, and tried to preserve it as original as possible. The landmarking allows it to preserve its original structure, and prevent modifications that do not belong to the period.

“Dr. Joseph Perry was an extraordinary man who truly helped many people during his lifetime.

“There were a couple of Black slaves, Claudette and Philippe, who ran away from a famous plantation in Louisiana. Slave hunters were after them, and they were captured in Connecticut. Dr. Perry saw the scene, and decided to buy them on the spot. After that, he set them free.

“That couple came with him to Illinois, and they and their children were the domestic servants in this house during his lifetime. He was a very avant garde physician, who also practiced natural medicine. He owned almost a third of Crete, and gave work to at least 50 employees and tenants, who planted crops and raised animals in his lands.”

Crete’s Village Board last month approved the ordinance to “review and consider” the historic district status.

Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.

Submitted image of Dr. Joseph Perry, whose multi-faceted legacy includes his former home, now a national and local landmark.