By Brian Marchetti
Villager Contributor
In 1907, Frederick B. Carver had a house built at 9557 S. Vanderpoel Ave. The two-story four-bedroom home came into existence as Beverly/Morgan Park transitioned out of its rural roots into an early iteration of its present-day form. More than a century later, the Carver family still owns the property as Frederick’s grandson, John, still calls it home.
While some changes to the original house have been made, including a kitchen remodel, a relocated staircase, and new siding, much of the structure remains the same. Its longevity serves as a testament to the original craftsmanship and the Carvers’ efforts at maintaining the property.
“It’s a nice, solid house,” John Carver said. “It has 10-inch baseboards, and the foundation is quarry-stone. I have no idea how they got the stone here.”
According to John Carver, the city of Chicago required residents to help fund sidewalks, sewers and streets. The first generation of Carvers in the home paid $350. The improvements laid the groundwork for the future of Beverly/Morgan Park.
Kenneth N. Carver, John’s father, was born in the house in 1912. John Carver arrived in 1953. He has fond memories of growing up in the house. His recollections paint an idyllic picture similar to Bedford Falls from the It’s a Wonderful Life film.
“Some of my favorite memories are of playing ball with a strike zone taped on a square wall,” John Carver said. “We had barbecues in the backyard every Friday.”
In his younger years, John worked as a paperboy, delivering the news all over Beverly/Morgan Park. He reminisced about the businesses from Florsheim Shoes, Doug’s Candies and the Beverly Pharmacy. He briefly moved out of the house at age 21 but moved back three years later after his parents asked him to return to help his ailing father. He has lived there ever since.
In 2006, John married Brighton Park native, Sharon Smith, who always wanted to live in Beverly/Morgan Park. John retired from a career working at Dominick’s in 2013. He’s never had the desire to live anywhere else.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather live,” John said. “There’s a train station nearby to take to Sox games and buses to take you to Midway Airport. We’ve got everything here.
While the Carver home may not have the architectural significance of other Beverly/Morgan Park properties, its importance cannot be overlooked. It stands as a monument to excellent design and how one family’s efforts have maintained a home for more than a century.
