This house was constructed in about 1850 by R.C. Paine, a local banker and for some time the mayor of Niles. Paine died in 1875 and the house was purchased by Henry Lardner, Ring Lardner's father. Ring Lardner was born here in 1885 and lived here until his graduation from high school in 1901, when he moved to Chicago. He returned to Niles soon after, and began his career writing articles on sporting events for the Niles Sun, and then moved on again.[3]
The house was lived in for many years by Ring's sister Lena, who taught music. She eventually sold it, and in 1940 it was converted into apartments.[3]
Description
The Ring Lardner House is a 1+1⁄2-story Gothic Revival house with a gabled roof and dormers. It is clad with stucco. The dormers and roof have ornamental vergeboards [3]
