The first photo is from 2025 and the next photo is from 2002.
1505 Lowell
Previous house number was 1405
FIRST LISTED IN CITY DIRECTORY : 1904
RESIDENTS
1904-1908 E. G. Paine
1909-1924 Michael F. Murphy
1925-1950 Nell Murphy / Kate Murphy / Mrs. Philomen Pfeifer
1951 remodeling
1953-1963 Frank M. Pfeifer
1966-2018 James Daniels / Carolyn J. Daniels
2018 – Breanna M. Broom / Eddie Hubbard-Williams
In an August 7, 1902 story in the local paper, the heading is, “E. G. Paine to Build a Home.” The architect, George Helmle had completed plans the day before for a new residence to be built in Hawthorne Place. It was to be a two story frame of modern design with 8 rooms in hardwood. The Paine family lived here but there were early intentions for a move first in 1905, then in 1907, when they did move to California. Pictured above you can see they were members of the Tribe of Ben-Hur which was quite popular as a fraternal organization that did admit women. Along with the social opportunities, there was a life insurance benefit in belonging to the organization. In 1907, when the house did come up for auction, it also brought controversy. That year, the house was acquired at auction by William L. Florville (1840-1921) who was the son of William F. Florville (1807-1868). Florville Senior, born in Haiti and black, was not only remembered as Lincoln’s barber, he was a successful business man in Springfield. Lincoln did legal work for him and Florville was an honorary pallbearer at the president’s funeral. The Florville son also had a knack for business. He not only acquired 1505 Lowell in 1907 but also 1335 Lowell earlier that year. He knew the prejudice and racial divide at that time and used it to his advantage. Both properties were immediately reacquired by white clients but with a nice profit for William Florville. (See In Lincoln’s Shadow by Roberta Senechal de la Roche)