Mrs. Elam and Isadore Anna Drell purchased the home at 4726 South Park Way in 1926, when demand outgrew space in the Champlain residence.

The DuSable Museum of African American History was named trustee of the foundation, and in 1979 the home was declared a Chicago Historical Landmark.

Chateauesque buildings are characterized by masonry structures, asymmetrical plans, deeply set windows, steeply pitched roofs, and turrets.

Elam House had 20 rooms and featured lovely German wood craftsmanship and beautiful stained-glass and leaded glass windows.

In 1994, the Centers for New Horizons partnered with the 863d Engineer Battalion of the US Army Reserve to stabilize the building with a roof and basic interior carpentry and wiring.