Downtown Aledo Historic District

The Downtown Aledo Historic District is a national historic district located in downtown Aledo, Illinois. The district includes 75 contributing buildings and a park. The majority of the buildings are commercial structures, but the district also includes the city's Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad station and both the city's and Mercer County's major government buildings. Development in the district began in the 1850s, and the oldest surviving buildings date from the following decade. The district includes examples of many prominent American architectural styles from the mid-19th century onward; the most prevalent styles are Classical Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Italianate.[2]

Downtown Aledo Historic District
Downtown Aledo Historic District, Aledo, Illinois.
Location100-200 blocks N. College, 100, 200, 300 blocks S. College, 100 blk. NW. 2nd, 200 blk. SW. 2nd Aves., Aledo, Illinois
Coordinates41°12′5″N 90°44′57″W
NRHP reference No.16000328[1]
Added to NRHPJune 7, 2016

The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 7, 2016.[1] Two buildings in the district, the Mercer County Courthouse and Mercer County Jail, are listed independently in the National Register.

Architectural Styles

Italianate

There are eleven buildings of the District identified as Italianate. Examples of the Italianate style in the District include Detwiler Bros. Hardware Store at 118 E Main St, the Marquis Bros. Building at 201 E Main St, and the former Buggie and Shay Shop at 106 S College Ave. Locally, this style of architecture was popular from 1880–1913.[2]

Romanesque Revival

There are thirteen buildings of the District identified as Romanesque Revival. Examples include the Union Hall Building at 113 S College Ave, 213 S College Ave, and 109-113 E Main St. Locally, this style of was popular from 1870–1907.[2]

Second Empire

The Button House at 101 N College Ave is the only example of the Second Empire style in the District. The Button House was built in 1868.[2]

Stick Style

The Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad Depot at 204 SE 2nd Ave is the only example of Stick Style in the District. The CB&Q Depot was built in 1869.[2]

Italian Renaissance

There are two buildings of the District identified as Italian Renaissance. The two examples are the service stations at 112 S College Ave, and 222 E Main St. These buildings were built from 1928–1940.[2]

Classical Revival

There are 25 buildings of the District identified as Classical Revival. Of the 25 buildings, four are Early Classical Revival and 21 are Late Classical Revival. Examples include the Mercer Carnegie Library at 200 N College Ave, the Wallen Block at 114 E Main St, and the rear of 118 E Main St. Locally, the Early Classical Revival style was popular from 1875–1880, while the Late Classical Revival style was popular from 1889–1938.[2]

Jacobethan

The Mercer County Jail at 309 S College Avenue is the only example of the Jacobethan style in the District. The jail was built in 1909.[2]

Neoclassical

The Farmers National Bank at 101 E Main St is the only example of the Neoclassical style in the District. The bank building was built in 1917.[2]

Art Deco

The Mercer County Farm Bureau at 206 SE 3rd St is the only example of the Art Deco style in the District. The building was built in 1940.[2]

Moderne

There are four buildings in the District identified as Moderne. Examples include the Standard Oil Stations at 222 W Main St and 112 S College Ave. Locally, this style was popular circa 1940.[2]

New Traditional

The McCreedy Building at 107-109 N College Ave is the only example of the New Traditional style in the District. The building was built in 1938 and continues to be popular to present day.[2]

Contemporary

There are five buildings in the District identified as Contemporary. Examples include the Tastee-Freez at 300 SE 3rd St, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post at 106 SW 3rd Ave, and the Farmer's State Bank of Western Illinois at 201 S College Ave. Additionally, there are eleven buildings with Contemporary style false-fronts in the District. Examples include the W.C. Galloway Grocery Store at 119 S College Ave, 115 E Main St, and 116 NW 2nd Ave. Locally, this style was popular from 1950–1995.[2]

Building Type

Commercial Blocks: One & Two Part

Two or more story commercial blocks may be classified as One-Part Commercial if the facade can be read as a single design element, with no projecting cornice or other strong horizontal design element dividing the first floor from the upper floors.

There are 49 Commercial Blocks in the District. Examples of the Commercial Block type can be found on the north side of the 100-block of E Main St or the west side of the 100 and 200-blocks of S College Ave.[2]

Temple-Front

Modeled after the ancient Greek and Roman temples, these buildings are typically two to three stories in height. They are distinguished by a portico of four or more columns extending across the facade or by a recessed entry front by twin columns set in between an enframing wall.

The Farmers National Bank at 101 E Main St is the only example of the Temple-Front building type in the District.[2]

False-Front

False-Front is an applied or fake front facade. They are identifiable by the extension of the applied front facade above the building's roofline and lack of depth to the storefront.

There are eleven buildings with false-fronts in the District. Examples include the W.C. Galloway Grocery Store at 119 S College Ave, 115 E Main St, and 116 NW 2nd Ave.[2]

Freestanding

Freestanding buildings have architectural treatment on two or more sides. The structure may occupy an entire city block and be surrounded by parking.

There are six Freestanding buildings in the District. Examples of the Freestanding building type are the National Bank of Aledo building at 201 W Main St, Farmer's State Bank of Western Illinois at 201 S College, and Frontier Communications at 206 SE 3rd Ave.[2]

Automobile service garages are simple buildings sometimes with an office or storage above. These buildings are often masonry construction with a barrel vault or bowstring truss roof.

There are ten road-related buildings in the District. Examples are the Standard Oil Stations at 222 W Main St and 112 S College Ave, and the filling and service station at 222 E Main St.

Map of Historic District Boundary

Table of Contributing Structures
Contributing Structures
Photo Historic Name/Use Building Number Dir. Street Building Date Building Type Architectural Style/Details
Button House 101 N College Avenue 1868 Two-Part Commercial Block Second Empire
McCreedy Building 107-109 N College Avenue 1938 Two-Part Commercial Block New Traditional; Classical
The Davis Building 108-112 N College Avenue ca. 1907-1913 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Bakery 114 N College Avenue ca. 1907-1913 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
United States Post Office 117 N College Avenue 1917-1918 Government/Post Office Neoclassical
Print Shop 118 N College Avenue ca. 1907-1913 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
City Hall 120 N College Avenue ca. 1907-1913 Government/City Hall Late Classical Revival
Mercer Carnegie Library 200 N College Avenue 1915 Education/Library Late Classical Revival
Aledo Public High and Grade School 201 N College Avenue 1921 Education/School Late Classical Revival
A. M. Byers & Co. 100-104 S College Avenue 1870 Commerce/Financial Institution Romanesque Revival
Dry Goods and Notions Store 101 S College Avenue ca. 1870 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Dry Goods and Clothing Store 105 S College Avenue ca. 1870 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Buggie and Shay Shop 106 S College Avenue ca. 1895 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Dry Goods Store 107 S College Avenue ca. 1885-1894 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
The Palace Drug Store 109 S College Avenue ca. 1880 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival
Knights of Pythias Hall 110 S College Avenue 1890 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival
Standard Oil Station 112 S College Avenue ca. 1913-1928 Road-Related/Filling Station Italian Renaissance
Standard Oil Station 112 S College Avenue ca. 1940 Road-Related/Service Station Moderne
Union Hall Building 113 S College Avenue ca. 1880 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival
Murphy Furniture Store and Billiards 125 S College Avenue ca. 1885-1894 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival/Contemporary
Calderone's Grocery Store 129 S College Avenue ca. 1913-1928 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Grocer and Social Hall 205 S College Avenue ca. 1880 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Paints and Wall Papers; Drug Store 207 S College Avenue ca. 1894-1901 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Grocer 213 S College Avenue ca. 1901-1907 Two-Part Commercial Block Richardsonian Romanesque
Wehner Bro's Furniture Store 217 S College Avenue ca. 1901-1907 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Masonic Hall 219 S College Avenue 1901 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival
Carlson Apartments 301 S College Avenue 1913 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Residence 303 S College Avenue ca. 1885-1894 Domestic/Single Dwelling L-Form
Mercer County Jail 309 S College Avenue 1909 Government/Correctional Facility Jacobethan
Farmers National Bank 101 E Main Street ca. 1913-1928 Commerce/Financial Institution; Two-Part Commercial Block Temple-Front; Late Classical Revival
Books and News 109 E Main Street ca. 1875 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival/Contemporary Storefront
Will Hall 110 E Main Street 1881 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
The Peterson Building 112 E Main Street ca. 1880 Two-Part Commercial Block Early Classical Revival
Drug Store and Stationary 113 E Main Street ca. 1875 Two-Part Commercial Block Romanesque Revival/Contemporary Storefront
Wallen Block 114 E Main Street ca. 1875 Two-Part Commercial Block Early Classical Revival
Grocer 115 E Main Street ca. 1870 One-Part Commercial Block Unknown with Contemporary False-Front
Detwiler Bros. Hardware Store 118 E Main Street ca. 1885-1894 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Public Restrooms 121 E Main Street ca. 1875 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Dry Goods Store and Offices 122 E Main Street ca. 1885-1894 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Dry Goods & Notions Store 125 E Main Street ca. 1880 Two-Part Commercial Block Early Classical Revival
Emrick & Owsley Building 127 E Main Street 1904 One-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Store 129 E Main Street ca. 1913-1928 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Marquis Bros. 201 E Main Street ca. 1882 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Dry Goods and Notions Store; Grocer 203 E Main Street ca. 1880 Two-Part Commercial Block Early Classical Revival
Stevenson Brothers Grocery Store/Stevenson Flats 212-218 E Main Street ca. 1889 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Filling Station 222 E Main Street ca. 1928-1936; ca. 1940 Road-Related/Filling Station Italian Renaissance/Moderne
Garage 222-224 E Main Street ca. 1913-1928 Road-Related/Garage N/A
Store 103-105 W Main Street ca. 1913-1928 Two-Part Commercial Block N/A
Butcher and Grocer 126 W Main Street ca. 1907-1913 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Harness Shop, Furniture Shop, and Undertaker 132 W Main Street ca. 1907-1913 Two-Part Commercial Block Italianate
Store 133 W Main Street ca. 1913-1928 One-Part Commercial Block N/A
Harness Shop 134 W Main Street ca. 1885-1894 One-Part Commercial Block Contemporary (Storefront)
Livery 137 W Main Street ca. 1885-1894 Agriculture/Animal Facility Contemporary (False-Front Facade)
Agricultural Implements 138 W Main Street ca. 1875 One-Part Commercial Block Unknown with Contemporary (False-Front Facade)
Davison Chevrolet Motor Company 202 W Main Street 1926 (ca. 1913-1928) Road-Related/Auto Sales & Garage Late Classical Revival
Vulcanizing Shop 210 W Main Street ca. 1913-1928 Road-Related/Auto Garage Late Classical Revival
Veterinary Stable 212 W Main Street ca. 1913-1928 Stable Late Classical Revival
Veterinary 214 W Main Street ca. 1913-1928 One-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Standard Oil Station 222 W Main Street ca. 1950 Road-Related/Filling Station Moderne
Auto Garage 116 NW 2nd Avenue ca. 1913-1928 Road-Related/Auto Garage Contemporary (Facade)
Aledo Opera House 108 SE 2nd Avenue 1904 Freestanding; Recreation/Music Facility Italianate
Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad Passenger and Freight Station 204 SE 2nd Avenue 1869 Train Depot Stick
Bolton Brothers Electric Company 104 SW 2nd Avenue ca. 1901-1907 Industry/Energy Facility Late Classical Revival
City of Aledo Water Works Pump House 203 SW 2nd Avenue ca. 1913-1928 Government/Public Works Unknown with Contemporary Elements
Auto Garage 110 NW 2nd Street ca. 1913-1928 Road-Related/Auto Garage Contemporary (False-Front Facade)
Billiards 105 SE 2nd Street ca. 1901-1907 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Johnson Creamery 107 SW 2nd Street ca. 1928-1936 Agriculture/Processing N/A
Commercial 108 SW 2nd Street ca. 1960 One-Part Commercial Block Contemporary
Original City of Aledo Water Works 109 SW 2nd Street 1889 Government/Public Works Late Classical Revival
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 106 SW 3rd Avenue 1961 Freestanding; Social/Meeting Hall Contemporary
Mercer County Courthouse 100 SE 3rd Street 1894 Government/Courthouse Romanesque Revival
Central Park 100 blk. SE 3rd Street ca. 1913-1928 Landscape/Plaza Contemporary
Frontier Communications 200 blk. SE 3rd Street ca. 1960 Freestanding Contemporary
Mercer County Farm Bureau 206 SE 3rd Street 1940 Freestanding; Commerce/Office Building Art Deco
Filling Station 210 SE 3rd Street 1940 Road-Related/Filling Station Moderne
Tastee-Freez 300 SE 3rd Street ca. 1950 One-Part Commercial Block Contemporary
Furniture Shop and Undertaker 103 SW 3rd Street ca. 1901-1907; ca. 1913-1928 Two-Part Commercial Block Late Classical Revival
Murphy Funeral Home 103 SW 3rd Street 1938 Religious/Chapel Late Classical Revival

References
  1. "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/06/16/ Through 6/10/16". National Park Service. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  2. Ruggiero, Erica (November 16, 2015). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Aledo Downtown Historic District" (PDF). Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.