Will County's Historic Landmarks

Will County Rural Structure Surveys

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For forty years, Haven School aka New Lenox Grade School served as School District 122’s only school.  The last class graduated in 1961.  Following 1961, the school served as a junior high school (7-8), and then a grade school (1-3) until June 1999. 

Constructed in 1927, the building’s architectural features are characteristic of the Art Deco style (1927-1940). Examples of this are found in the building’s verticality, symmetry (as seen on façade of building), geometric brickwork, flat roof, and setbacks.  The south addition was likely added circa 1935.  Subsequent to its original construction, the building was added onto twice (1939 and 1954).  Upon preliminary investigation, it appears that some of the window openings, doorways, windows, and doors have been changed. In a few places, the brickwork appears to have been tuck-pointed and replaced; however, the building remains a good example of Art Deco architecture. The building also serves as excellent example of adaptive reuse. In 1999, the educational building that once housed students became the central administrative offices for New Lenox School District 122. 

The building was designated a County landmark due to its contribution to local history and its architectural significance.

The Haven Administrative Center was designated a Will County Historic Landmark on November 20, 2008.*

   Historic Name:  New Lenox Grade School/Haven School
Common Name:  Haven Administrative Center
Location:  102 S. Cedar Rd., Village of New Lenox, IL 60451
Date of Establishment: Circa 1927

 

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* The designated building is located within the municipal boundaries of the Village of New Lenox.  At this time, the Village of New Lenox does not have an historic preservation ordinance.  However, Will County’s consideration of nomination is appropriate as per Will County Historic Preservation Ordinance, Article III, “Designation of Landmarks and Historic Districts,” Section 17, “Transfer of Jurisdictional Control,” which states the following:

    “ Should a designated landmark, landmark site or preservation district be incorporated into a municipality with a preservation ordinance, that municipality's preservation ordinance shall govern. If a municipality annexes a designated landmark, landmark site or preservation district and does not have a preservation ordinance, the County's preservation ordinance will continue to govern.”

Will County received the required ordinance from the Village.  (Village of New Lenox Ordinance #1986, “An Ordinance Designating the Property Located at 102 South Cedar Road as a Historically Significant Structure and Granting Authority to the County of Will to Designate the Structure as a County Landmark [Haven Administrative Center]),” approved August 19, 2008.