614-618 N. Milwaukee Avenue - Butler Building

By the time the building at 614-618 N. Milwaukee Avenue was built in 1912 by Josiah Butler, the initial wooden structures in downtown Libertyville were being replaced by brick ones. A Libertyville native, Butler, was the son of Horace Butler, one of the town’s earliest settlers, for whom Butler Lake was named. Like his father, he was also a farmer and owned extensive acreage within the village limits. Also known to be an accomplished carpenter, businessman and civic minded resident, he held numerous positions within the village: town treasurer, Justice of the Peace, and magistrate and served as the town’s mayor from 1885-1886.

The structure is the second of two buildings constructed by Butler in town. (The other is at 514 N. Milwaukee Avenue.) Housing two businesses on the first floor with living space upstairs, the building lies on the eastern side of Milwaukee Avenue. The brick facade of the original structure, stone-capped parapet with center triangular pediment and the corbeled brick cornice below the parapet are all surviving historic features. Both of the storefronts and the center 2nd floor entry, although remodeled in 1960’s, remain in their original configuration.

The storefronts have held numerous business over the years. The shop at 618 has held a wide variety, all ready to serve the citizens of Libertyville: The Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P), Oscar E. Carlson Painters, Clavey’s Hardware, Maiden's Hardware, Western Tire Auto Store, Liberty Smokeshop, Inman’s Paint and Glass and recently the Village Jewelers. The 614 N. Milwaukee Avenue storefront has had a much less varied list of businesses. A barbershop has been located in that location for around 100 years. The current occupant, the Liberty Barbershop is known locally for its eclectic décor, throwing back to a much earlier time that perhaps, even Josiah Butler would recognize.

Sanborn Maps, 1912 p 2

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4104lm.g019731912/?sp=2

“Orr Opens Barber Shop in Butler Bldg.” Libertyville Independent, Nov 7, 1929, p 2

Cook Memorial Library Clippings File, Businesses.

“Local barber shop is not shy about backing Packers” Libertyville Review, Feb 3, 2011, p 1

“Liberty Barbershop Celebrates 100 years” Shelf Life Blog, Cook Memorial Public Library website, accessed July 26, 2020

https://shelflife.cooklib.org/2016/10/05/liberty-barbershop-celebrates-100-years/