If you are in the Sycamore, Illinois area with nothing to do, more specifically if you are in the 800 block of Somonauk Street in Sycamore, no doubt seeing the Chauncey Ellwood House and the Esther Mae Nesbitt House, you can walk south. Walk until you reach the 400 block. At 420 Somonauk is the majestic David Syme House. It is a Queen Anne style house that is part of a group known as “painted ladies” (wiki, not the best, but good enough).

The David Syme House was designed by architect George O. Garnsey, who designed several other prominent local structures, as well as buildings in other Illinois communities (more on both in other articles of mine). Garnsey was a Chicago-based architect who helped design many buildings after the Great Chicago Fire and what is the current Illinois State Capitol.

House Syme has two prominent circular turrets, common in Queen Anne style houses. House Syme also has a hipped roof (wiki) with crossed pediments (wiki), a feature found in about 50 percent of the Queen Anne style houses.

David Syme came to Sycamore in 1868 and the house at 420 Somonauk cost him around $ 8,000 around 1880. Syme served as president of a local bank, as well as mayor and president of the Sycamore School Board.

Sycamore, Illinois is a city of approximately 15,000 residents, located in DeKalb County, of which it is the county seat. Sycamore was established in 1835, mainly north of the Kishwaukee River.

Sycamore is well worth a visit for any architecture student, history buff, or photojournalist. The National Register of Historic Places is an excellent combination of the two courses that is well worth searching for connoisseurs of either specialty.