Laserfiche WebLink
16 Curb Appeal Finalist: The Gilkie Family http://cvww.wndu.com4,ome/headlines/16-Cuth-Appeal-Finalist-The-... <br />16 Curb Appeal Finalist: The Gilkie <br />Family <br />By Tricia Sloma I Posted: Fri 8:28 AM, Jul 26, 2013 1 Updated: Fri 11:25 AM, Jul 26, 2013 <br />South Bend, Ind. Overgrown and outdated landscaping can take a lot of time, <br />sweat and money to clear away; but for the winner of our 16 Curb Appeal <br />contest, that's not a problem. <br />The experts at Linton's Enchanted Gardens are <br />ready to help some lucky resident with a new <br />design, shrubs and flowers worth $5,000. <br />Our third finalist is not only dealing with <br />neglected landscaping, the family is also trying <br />to revitalize a historic home in the Near Northwest Neighborhood of South Bend. <br />Clinton and Shundra Gilkies home is the only one left standing in their area of <br />Sherman Avenue, right off of Lincolnway, after several vacant and abandoned <br />i homes had to be torn down or collapsed. In fact, their home was on the demo list <br />t when they got it; but as it turns out, it is a local landmark. <br />"It's a 1915 prairie -style house;' Shundra said. "We acquired it about two years <br />ago, and started renovations on the inside, don't know what to do on the outside <br />as of yet" <br />The Greening House was owned by prominent businessman Robert Greening <br />and his wife Ida. He owned a popular paint and home decor store on Lincolnway <br />and asked renowned architect Ennis Austin to design a home in this growing <br />stretch of South Bend. <br />The firm Austin and Shambleau is responsible for several early 20th century <br />f1. structures on the national registry of historic buildings, like the Federal <br />Courthouse, the Tower Building and even the Eberhart Mansion in Mishawaka. <br />Though more modest, the Greening House still features elaborate stone work <br />and original siding. <br />"It's a lot of character and history right here, you know;" Clinton said. "Some <br />people have appreciation of the value of older homes and 1 would like to preserve <br />that:' <br />But the Gilkie family says it hasn't been easy. <br />"We had a lot of vandalism before we purchased the house;' Shundra said. <br />"During the renovations, someone again actually entered the house, and stole <br />things out of it. It's been an uphill battle but we've been successful so far." <br />They still have a lot of expensive renovations to make in keeping with the home's <br />1 of 2 3/17/2016 1:55 PM <br />