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Oswego resident asks trustees to reconsider historic designation exclusion for 19th-century house known as 'Turtle Rock'
Summary
At the Committee of the Whole public forum, resident John Bardemas urged trustees to reconsider an exclusion that prevented his circa-1850 stone house at 2470 State Route 31 (known as Turtle Rock) from receiving a village historic-home designation.
John Bardemas told the Village of Oswego trustees during the public forum that his converted 19th-century stone barn at 2470 State Route 31, known locally as "Turtle Rock," has historical significance and should be reconsidered for local recognition despite being outside current municipal boundaries.
Bardemas described the building's history: the original barn dates to about 1850, the property was converted to a residence and occupied by James P. and Dorothy Fargo Curie on Nov. 9, 1929, and the house has appeared on stone-home tours and hosted community events. Bardemas said the house once displayed an Oswego Township historical plaque identifying it as designation number 13.
Speaking from the podium, Bardemas said he had been denied a village historic-home designation because the property lies roughly 1.5 miles outside the village limits and is therefore excluded from the village recognition program. "Basically, I'm asking you to reconsider a historical structure that's been in Oswego since the 1850s and to remove the exclusion from going and awarding it on historical significance," Bardemas said.
Bardemas said he had discussed the matter informally over the years with local officials and with a former village planning commissioner but asked trustees to revisit the exclusion rule so historically significant properties near but outside village boundaries could be considered. He said the house—affectionately known as Turtle Rock because of a glacial erratic on the riverbank—has been part of Oswego cultural events, including Prairie Fest and stone-home tours.
Trustees did not debate or take action on Bardemas's request during the meeting; the comment was part of the public forum and will be part of the meeting record.
Bardemas provided photographs to the board during his remarks and said he may pursue future formal steps to request designation, but no further action was recorded at this meeting.
