historic district area encompassing acres land downtown illinois county seat area includes historic buildings number historical victorian homes significant structures located including district listed national_register_of_historic_places properties irregular boundaries historic district considered contributing properties historic district non contributing district homes buildings fit historic district concept major structures include prominent queen anne style library dozens mid- late 19th century houses history national historic preservation act created national_register_of_historic_places empowered individual states create review boards function state historical preservation officer illinois create historic preservation program early 1970s direction dispatched field illinois counties find qualify inclusion national_register_of_historic_places field surveyor traveled found large number late 19th 20th century examples architecture recommended establishment historic district mayor appointed citizens committee assist state work involved listing district residential areas district achieved maturity grown considerably lived 1970s historic district remains intact organized boundaries bounded west main street east stretch blocks north end district bounded extends end street main north south roads page east west street district extends state street west block included block addition section historic district east west streets portions included district high ottawa lincoln boundaries drawn worked assistant wagner drew boundaries basis visual integrity led irregular pattern inclusion historic district street district cases library arbitrary line drawn sole purpose including specific structure architecture architectural styles historic district begins structures date foundation mid late 1830s particular style structures oldest surviving district civil war styles began dot landscape downtown illinois styles gothic revival found neighborhood government buildings commercial buildings offer prime examples architecture style showcased ornate building current center block state street known exhibits classical revival architecture properties historic district identified strongly contributing overall character district ranked significant structures district majority rest buildings date properties includes combination residential commercial government religious buildings number victorian homes main street enclosed historic district number buildings downtown south courthouse homes included district important structure marked plaque near properties located historic district acres properties listed contributing structures district additional non contributing homes buildings district fit historic district concept churches church buildings historic district nominated join seven church buildings district included residential structure utilized church constructed home congregation time listing churches destroyed demolished destroyed fire longer extant replaced modern office building extant churches roman_catholic_church commercial buildings commercial buildings historic district located illinois united_states located city downtown largest concentration commercial contributing properties historic district found passes include buildings known blocks consist adjacent attached structure case block commercial buildings possibly gem historic district courthouse sits center square facing illinois route directly north south street main stunning example architecture current structure erected line serve building main street originally garage owned resident queen anne style home lot small distinctive stone structure constructed use garage estate home queen anne mansion garage property today home restaurant building left private ownership property exploited commercial use gas station despite years changes function building historical character remains intact george block altered original state mid 19th century george block remains eye catching structures constructed known owner james prominent citizen lived nearby contributing property 1860s james gone building known block buildings period known blocks usually multi story multi business buildings contained retail professional space case george block lecture halls year building existed famous men spoke houses houses cross variety architectural styles span 1830s early 20th century contributing properties historic district districts buildings homes associated early residents usually prominent business leaders politicians houses district known street address associated prominent owner builder houses true prominent homes include house located illinois state street directly street structure east main street state included historic district library operational today constructed combination gifts different sources including building designed architect significance district includes properties acres considered contributing members historic district buildings consist mix residential religious commercial governmental buildings residential buildings stories height feature generous setbacks street factors growth mature shade trees combine balanced integrated look feel usage properties similar small seats district properties separated survival 20th century buildings significant architecture contributes national_register_of_historic_places nomination form said conveyed calm close popular american image ideal small town
Sycamore Historic District