City of Champaign Historic Landmarks

In the 1990s, Champaign designated historic developments to be local landmarks. These landmarks are classified in three locally designated categories: Residences, Commercial/Industrial, and Institutional Landmarks. The city also formed two Historic Districts: the "Illinois Central Railroad Historic District" and "Villard Court Historic District." These Historic Districts are a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated as historically or architecturally significant. Landmarks are important to the City of Champaign to preserve and cherish the historic sights.


Interactive Map

Yellow Marker: Locally Designated Residences

Red Marker: Locally Designated Commercial/Industrial Local Landmarks

Blue Marker: Locally Designated Institutional Landmarks

Black Marker: Locally Designated Historic Districts


Locally Designated Residences

There are 12 Locally Designated Residences in the City of Champaign.

Use the swipe arrows in the middle of the slide to see past and present photos of the landmark property. Use the arrow button on the right to move to the next site.

Harwood-Solon Residence

The Harwood-Solon House was developed by William Barrett in 1867 on a quarter block bounded by State, Healey, Prairie, and Green streets. It is located at 503 South State Street, a few blocks south and west of downtown Champaign. Facing east on a slight rise, the house has a commanding presence along State Street in the mixed residential and educational neighborhood. 

The Harwood-Solon House is a two-and-one-half-story irregular-shaped house with a low hip roof. It sets on a high coursed limestone foundation with a very slightly slanted concrete canting strip. Its walls are laid in a running bond of soft, hand-made salmon colored brick. Below the porch, the original brick was covered with a red-tinted stucco that was then scored with a thin extruded mortarjoint so as to resemble a fmely-crafted and expensive brick running bond. The windows are round-arched double-hung sash with double rowlock round arches and a third recessed rowlock surround; stone keys ornament the round aches. Three brick chimneys were extant until fall, 2006: an interior chimney centered on the south slope, an interior end chimney off-center to the north on the west slope, and an interior end chimney centered on the service wing's north elevation.

Thomas Franks Residence

Built circa 1872 by Thomas Franks, with additions around 1895, the subject house is a one and a half-story frame dwelling with brick foundation. The house is a vernacular building with Queen Anne detailing. The house is a "T"-plan. Queen Anne details on the house are the decorative and textural elements including combination of clapboard, decorative shingling and brick, molded rake boards (along the gables), and ornamental eave brackets.

Mr. Franks was the University Gardener for at least three years, and had established a large greenhouse and landscaping business next to the house by 1873, which apparently thrived at this site for about 30 years, before relocating to East University Avenue.

While University Gardener, Mr. Franks' work included laying out Illinois Field (now the site of the Beckman Institute and its addition to the Quadrangle).

Mattis Residence

Built in 1883, the subject house is a 2-story structure with brick foundation and frame construction. The house is an example of the Queen Anne style of architecture. The building is asymmetrical in form with a prominent front gable placed off-center. The first story features a wrap-around porch on the east and part of the south facade. Exterior walls are of horizontal wood siding accented with 'fish scale' wood shingles on several areas of the facade. The gables are characterized with a checkerboard detail and the roofline consists of intersecting gables, shingled in asphalt. The bracketed cornice below the roof is a prominent feature of the building. A 4-sided cupola tops the building and includes the same cornice detailing as the house and a hipped roof with two gables. The building has two brick chimneys with corbel detailing.

Elements characterizing the Queen Anne style of the building and carriage house include the asymmetrical plan of the house and rooflines, use of the variety of textures in building materials, (brick foundation and chimneys combined with a variety of wood siding styles), the large porch and the cupola. Decorative elements found on the house and carriage house that are characteristic of the Queen Anne style include the corbelling of brick on tops of chimneys, decorative woodwork in gables, in the cornice, on the porch, and on the cupola.

Henry Ahrens Residence

Built in 1893, the Henry Ahrens Residence is a 2 1/2-story structure with brick foundation and frame construction. The house is an example of the Queen Anne style of architecture. Exterior walls are a combination of horizontal wood siding and 'fish scale' and 'saw tooth' wood shingles. The building is asymmetrical. 

The roofline consists of intersecting gables, shingled in slate. The crest of the roof has decorative copper ornamentation. The building features two porches: a wrap-around porch on the south and east facade as well as a small porch over the rear entrance on the north facade. The porches are roofed with wooden shakes. The first floor also contains a bay window, shingled with the 'fish scale' shingles. Windows in the house vary in style, size, and shape and are asymmetrically placed.

Trevett Residence

The Trevett Residence is an intricately detailed example of a Georgian Revival home. This house is an excellently maintained mansion from another era, whose beauty is enhanced by its prominent location on University Avenue facing West Side Park.

John R. Trevett, for whom this house was built in 1900, was a student of the first class of the Illinois Technological Institute in 1868. (The IT! later became the University of Illinois.) Mr. Trevelt became a banker upon graduation, first working with the A. C. Burnham banking company, and later teaming with his neighbor Ross MaUls to form the Trevett-Mattis Bank, which has evolved into Bankllilnois. Mr. Trevett was also (not all at one time) the Champaign City Treasurer, the Champaign City Park Commissioner, the Champaign Police Commissioner, a Captain of the Illinois National Guard, and a Trustee of the University of Illinois.

Dunning - Marks Residence

The residence is a distinguished addition to the city of Champaign with its strong neoclassical style, typical of affluent homes being built at the turn of the last century. Prominent physical features of the exterior include the symmetrical box-like shape of the building, the four large ionic columns of the porch, and the detailed dentition of the roof and porch eaves. The roof has four dormers and two chimneys with unusual masonry crosses visible from the street. The building sits on a brick and mortar foundation, complete with the original gas copper piping (still operational) used to illuminate the home prior to being electrified. The exterior of the home is wood clapboard siding, which is presently protected by aluminum siding. The second owners of the home, the Dallenbachs, sided the home 30 years previous and the current owners plan to restore the home to its original clapboard as soon as it is financially possible. A combination composite material is presently on the roof and has an estimated life span of seven years.

On the southern exposure, the front porch dominates the building. A single classical revival door, composed of wood and lead glass, marks the central main entrance to the home. On either side of the door are two long rectangular windows of 1.4-inch beveled glass. On the east exposure, a series of three 15-foot windows overlook the interior stairway. The west exposure of the home highlights include large picture frame windows of the 15 x 21 foot formal dining room and living room. The north elevation has the original mud room and butler’s pantry, however a two-story addition that includes a small wood paneled library and second story sleeping porch has been added to the original building at some point. 

Phi Delta Theta

Built in 1922, the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity house is a 2 1/2 story building constructed of rubble stone with cut stone trim and slate roof. The building has elements of the Tudor/English Revival Style, exemplified in its building material and in its groupings of multi-pained casement windows. The front facade of the building has symmetric elements, centering on a recessed front porch. Front facing gables are found on each end of the front facade. Both of these sections have large first floor bay windows. Three shed dormers forming the 1/2 story (third floor) are centered across the lower portion of the roof.

The rear of the building once faced onto a park, but now faces a parking lot. A single story dining room addition was added in 1966 and is detailed with the same rubble stone, cut stone trim, and casement windows in keeping with the main building. The building was designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw, one of Chicago's most successful residential architects.

The Cambridge

The Cambridge is a fine example of an American Eclectic Tudor style apartment building, a familiar design for apartment homes of this era.

Eclectic Tudor is so named because is an imprecise style, loosely based on a number of late Medieval English architectural details. While the Cambridge is composed of square brick clad sections and has a flat roof, from the front elevation is broken up by four protruding sunrooms which are topped by steeply pitched roof sections, each of which is fronted by vertical half-timbered gable ends. Each sunroom tower is also edged by stone quoins, emphasizing the vertical line as well as adding a detail typical to the style. The overall effect of this is to make the building look more like the Tudor style, masking the mass of the giant rectangular building behind the façade.

Details like the classic four-centered Tudor style arch over the main front entry doors, together with the half-timbered gable ends and the quoins they showcase cement the American Eclectic Tudor style of the Cambridge.

The Greystone

The Greystone is an excellent example of stone masonry, which is a rare finish for apartment buildings of this era in Champaign, and used local Indiana limestone. The building showcases elegant detail work and impeccable mason's skill in stonecutting and fitting.

The Greystone was constructed in 1924 by G.A. Swenson, who operated the Illinois Cut Stone Company. The Illinois Cut Stone Company supplied cut stone material for a number of University and University-related buildings during the early decades of the 20th Century. At the time of this building's construction, the Company was experiencing a slow period of business; Mr. Swenson decided to build a stone clad building to keep his workers employed until orders for the company picked up. The Greystone is now a six-flat, but was originally built as a residence for the Swenson family with four apartments above. The applicant's supplemental report describes the occupancy in greater detail. Very few apartment buildings were built in Champaign that were clad in stone. This building is a unique example remaining of this style.

Wee Haven

Wee Haven is a very well-crafted example of the Prairie Style of architecture. It features all of the essential elements of the style, including casement windows, wide boxed eaves, a stucco and wood facade, a prominent chimney that anchors the building to the ground and an overall emphasis on horizontality. The design includes understated yet elegant decorative elements as well. These decorative elements include tile Prairie School flowers on the front façade, garage and interior fireplace, integrated planter boxes, unique window mullion pattern and wood trim that creates beltlines wrapping the building. Wee Haven could is the quintessential Prairie Style small house. 

Wee Haven is one of only two true Prairie Style buildings in Champaign, the other being 706 South Elm Street. Wee Haven has been remarkably well preserved since construction and meticulously restored by thoughtful owners through the years. Both the home and garage include features, like the cedar shake skirt, beltline that wraps the structures and wide eaves that emphasize the horizontality inherent to this style.

The Parkview

Built in 1925, the property is a 3-story apartment building containing six units, 2 per floor. A raised basement adds to the height and stature of the building. The building is symmetrical in design on the exterior. Interior layout of the building is basically symmetrical, but with some minor variations among the units.

The building is of brick construction with concrete used for windowsills, horizontal detailing, framing around the main entry door, and along the castlations on the roofline. The roof is flat. The castlated parapet on the front facade is one of the distinguishing features of the building.

Semi-octagonal bays rise the entire height of the building. Except for the front bays, most windows on the building are double-hung with a 6-over-i divided light windowpane configuration. Windows in the center of the building (which light the stairwell) are also 6-over-i configuration, but have divided light transoms.

The Georgian

The Georgian is a three story tall, symmetrically balanced building constructed of seven course common bond red brick. It has a poured concrete foundation with an English basement which provides substantial natural light for the basement units. As one might expect, it is built in the Georgian Revival style.

The front façade/bay is slightly wider than the bulk of the building, as is the rear bay, giving the building a very slight "I" shape. The central portion of the façade also extends slightly. The front door is modem, but the frame is molded concrete with a turned rope inner molding, topped by a leaf-patterned entablature.


Locally Designated Commercial & Industrial Landmarks

There are 10 Locally Designated Commercial & Industrial sites in the City of Champaign.

Use the swipe arrows in the middle of the slide to see past and present photos of the landmark property. Use the arrow button on the right to move to the next site.

Solon Building

The integrity of 201 North Market Street, and its companion building at 203-205 North Market Street, is unmatched in downtown Champaign. With its Italianate detailing, cast iron storefront, and adjacent limestone sidewalk, this building (with companion 203-205 North Market Street) reflects the earliest commercial architecture remaining in downtown Champaign." Little alteration has occurred to the building, except for the removal of a wing at the rear of the building at 201 North Market Street.

Graphic Press Building

This building, in conjunction with the companion building at 201 N Market Street and the original limestone sidewalk, reflects the earliest commercial architecture remaining in downtown Champaign. Immediately in front of the building is a raised historic limestone sidewalk quarried from the Lemont-Joliet region of northeast Illinois.

The rectangular building is two stories above a brick and stone foundation with brick walls laid in a seven-course common bond pattern and covered by a very shallow gable roof. It is connected via a brick party wall to a similar historic two-story rectangular building on the south. The original storefront configuration remains on the first story while the second story consists of five round arches windows with brick and limestone details; a corbeled brick entablature completes the building.

Rick Orr Florist Building

This building is one of only three buildings to retain its cast iron storefront. Commercial buildings of the past have relied on storefronts to market the products inside. The cast-iron detailing and storefront designs contribute to making the building unique and assists in attracting customers. The cast-iron columns and pilasters are an example of such unique storefront characteristics.

With its cast iron storefront this building reflects very early commercial architecture from downtown Champaign's turn-of-the century period. Unfortunate alterations have been removed from the building during its 1980's renovation, and its appearance today is much as it was in its earliest years. The only two other buildings of note in this Romanesque Revival style are the Women's Town Club at 112 W. Hill, and the Salem Baptist Church at 500 F. Park, both local landmarks

Inter-Urban Trolley Barn

The Inter-Urban was an electrified railroad with tracks laid down the center of the streets that it served. One to three passenger cars and an occasional freight car snaked their way through various central Illinois downtown locations before making their way to the outskirts of town. Train motormen had to keep a close eye out for pedestrians, vehicles, and even a stray goat or two. Conductors frequently would have to disembark to lead the train through a city intersection. In the country, the Interurban traveled past cornfields, paralleling roads and other railroad lines.

Women's Town Club

The building at 112 West Hill Street is a four story Richardson Romanesque brick structure. It has a decorative brick balustrade and stone coping, and several of the windows facing Hill Street have sidelights and curved three-part transoms.

In 1897, this building was constructed as an annex to the Hotel Beardsley, which was located on the lot to the east. Coincidentally, later that same year the Business Women's Club was formed to "assist business and professional women to form wholesome associations" and to "establish and develop opportunities to bring its members into relations of mutual helpfulness", among other lofty goals for independent working women in the era before women even had attained universal suffrage. Another of the organization's goals was to "provide quarters for the rest and comfort of its members, and to provide lunch or dining rooms for its members", to this end since its inception the organization had a long-term goal of acquiring its own building.

Atkinson Monument Building/Precision Graphics

The Atkinson Building located in downtown Champaign, is an excellent example of a Richardsonian Romanesque building. Built in 1904, Samuel P. Atkinson's new building for his monument company was in itself a monument to his company's stone crafting skills. The most notable feature of the building is probably the green marble column on the northwest corner, which was identical in style to those on the (now long gone) downtown landmark flatiron building. Richardsonian Romanesque architecture was uniquely appropriate for a stonecutting/monument company, as its rough-hewn masonry and strong rounded arches clearly emphasize the strength and permanence of stone, further emphasizing the durability of their product.

The first floor is dominated by a cast iron storefront with large plate glass windows. These windows are topped by prism-glass multi-light transoms of Frank Lloyd Wright design. The second story of the principal west façade is covered with extensively detailed rough-hewn stonework that dramatically showcased the masonry talents of the business. The second floor has large windows, the center ones with arches typical of the style.

Park Theater

The building, in the early twentieth century commercial style, is built of deep maroon brick. The decoration, in striking contrast, is all of glazed ivory colored tile. The second and third story facade is divided into thirds. The original ground floor facade probably reflected a similar arrangement. Each third consists of a grouping of three windows at both story levels with a horizontal box outlined in tile between the upper and lower window groupings. Each window grouping is outlined on the vertical edges with tile quoins that continue up from the tops of the lower grouping to connect with the upper grouping. The strong vertical of each third is topped with a scallop shaped tile cornice, a few more courses of brick, then a smaller scallop shaped tile cornice. 

Somewhat hidden by the marquee, a band of embossed tile runs the width of the building at the second story window sill level. Tile quoins run up both edges of the building. A tile tablet is located just below the entablature on either side of the center window column and each edge of the building. The strong vertical line of the three window columns and the intervening vertical fields of brick increase the building’s visual height beyond its’ physical height. (thearttheater.org)

Orpheum Theater

Orpheum Theatre is a two story structure of brick with limestone trim, classic revival in style. The property was originally built as a vaudeville/photo-play theatre later converting to both movies and live performance. The building remained in use as a Theatre until 1986. The property now houses a children's museum. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The front facade is divided into four bays. The three north bays consist of storefronts with the fourth bay containing the theatre entrance. Upper story window groupings are separated by wood ionic columns. Projecting brick piers with stone bases, capitals, and other detailing separate the store fronts. The theatre entrance bay is defined by larger, rusticated piers of brick and stone.

Lincoln Building

Completed in 1916, the Lincoln Building was built by Isaac Kuhn and his father Joseph, across Main Street from their thriving clothier shop, Joseph Kuhn & Company (33-35 E. Main). The building was designed to be mercantile on the first two floors, with the top three being rented as offices.

 Lincoln Building is constructed of structural steel encased in fireproof material with the exterior walls clad in mottled brown brick with brown terra cotta trim. The façades are flat with the exception of a light well on the east. The full entablature is nearly flat or level, with the exception of shields which project periodically only slightly above the copper fascia of the cornice. Windows are large 1/1 double hung sash; display windows have prismatic transoms. The building applied Classical Revival ornament is clearly ancillary to its fenestration.

Coca-Cola Bottling Plant

The Coca-Cola Bottling Plant is representative of the Art Deco style. Constructed in 1938, the building has numerous features emphasized by the movement, including limestone and brick banding, box-like massing, and simple geometric ornamentation. The building has a concrete foundation with red-brick walls, and flat roof with parapet. The southern unit of the building is one story and was utilized as a warehouse. The main, northern unit is two stories and was utilized for offices and bottling.

Simple ornamentation on the building includes the four recessed brick bands between the second story windows, the limestone and brick corn abstracts along the upper floors and chimney and limestone banding between the first and second floors. The original carved limestone Coca-Cola panel remains above the main entrance. 

 Differing exterior and interior mortar joints suggests that the exterior brick has been tuck pointed at least once. The roof and all of the movable casement windows were replaced in 1991. Since the windows were intended for viewing the Coca-Cola bottling process, the original windows were likely clear glass. Replacement windows utilized the original openings and solid-to-void arrangement, but did not replicate the original light design. Garage doors along the south wall were removed and replaced with windows in 1993.


Locally Designated Institutional Landmarks

There are 7 Locally Designated Institutional Landmarks in the City of Champaign.

Use the swipe arrows in the middle of the slide to see past and present photos of the landmark property. Use the arrow button on the right to move to the next site.

West Side Park:

The lands that now comprise West Side Park were platted by John White, Jeffrey Farnham and Nathan Clark in 1854. The plat included lands for the park as well as residential lots surrounding the park. The residential lots were marketed as prime locations facing onto the park. The park, originally named White’s Park, was donated to the City on March 10, 1854. Originally comprising 15 acres, the land was the first public space in Champaign. The City used the park as a source of revenue for the first 12 years after its donation by renting the land as pasture and by selling park grass.

The fee for livestock grazing was 35/month. In 1866, livestock grazing ceased and the park was opened up for recreational uses. Trees were planted and in 1899, the “Prayer for Rain” sculpture, the fountain, paved pathways and a bandstand were erected. The fountain was used for swimming and the bandstand held concerts and served as a venue for speakers. The main grassy areas were used as meeting places for sewing circles, bible clubs, the American Legion and other community groups. In 1918, the park’s name changed officially to West Side Park.

In the 1950s and 60s, the park was the site of community involvement and dispute as proposals to use the parkland for downtown parking and a post office relocation threatened its existence. The bandstand fell into disrepair and was removed in 1964. However, the park continued to be used through the 1970s for peace rallies and recreational activity. In 1976, a time capsule was buried and is to be opened in 2076. West Side Park continues to be enjoyed to this day for both active and passive recreation. The park has always and continues to be one of the most recognizable places in Champaign, and has significant value as part of the historical and cultural heritage of the City.

Stone Arch Bridge:

In 1859, the citizens of Urbana organized a railroad company to build a rail line connecting Urbana with the Illinois Central Railroad. The rail line crossed open prairie between the Urbana Courthouse and the Illinois Central Depot and the Doane House. This little stone arch bridge was completed in the spring of 1860 to carry the tracks over the Boneyard. Although the grading was done and the bridge constructed in 1860, the track was not laid until the spring of 1863, but was used only for freight until 1870. The passenger fare was 10 cents. In 1901, the little line was electrified and rerouted. The Stone Arch Bridge still straddles the Boneyard Creek in a small park maintained by the Champaign Park District.

Prayers for Rain Statue (West Side Park):

The first example of public art in Champaign. Kemeys (1843-1907) is an internationally renown artist who received national acclaim for his ability to sculpt animal figures. Kemeys displayed his work through the country and abroad throughout the 1870s and 1880s. The Chicago World’s Fair and Colombian Exposition in 1893 highlighted Kemeys’ work and provided further international exposure for the artist. His commissions included the “Bronze Lions” at the entrance to the Art Institute of Chicago, “Wolves” in Fairmount Park, Pennsylvania and “Still Hunt” in Central Park, New York. Kemeys work rarely include human figures, therefore the “Prayer for Rain” is one of the artists more unusual works.

U.S. Post Office:

The architectural design of the Champaign Post Office Building represents the Renaissance Revival style with its aesthetics emphasizing simplicity and order. It is constructed of brick bearing walls laid in Flemish bond. The basement is faced with Indiana limestone; limestone as well as terra cotta is employed for ornamentation.

The transition from the basement to first story is defined by a molded belt course. The building's entablature is of stone and terra cotta and does not conform to any one classical order. Rather it is composed of a simple architrave, a blank frieze, and a cornice with egg and dart molding and mutules under the cornice. The cornice is surmounted by a balustraded parapet composed of alternating balusters and piers with panels, continuing vertically the patter of projections and recessions.

Since 1966, when the building was converted to a Federal Building the interior has been altered to include suspended acoustical ceilings, tiled or carpeted floors, and walls with wood grained panel board. Nonetheless, the alterations have generally not affected the original fabric. The 1905 details remain being the new ceiling and the marble-inlaid terrazzo floors remain beneath the carpeting.

Salem Baptist Church:

The original building of Salem Baptist Church best fits the architectural style of Romanesque Revival. It is a two-and 1/2 story rectangular building of red, monochromatic brick with a gray asphalt shingle roof. The main roof and east tower have vertical gabled roofs. There is a large rosette light in the middle of the facade with a midpoint arch light, containing the original stained glass, above it.

The bell tower contains the original bell (dating to 1867), which is sometimes still used for special services. This tower is taller than the east tower and features a pyramidal cap roof. The three sides of the tower contain two recessed, double-hung, Ill lights with original stained glass, and hood molds (extending decorative piece over a window) at the second story level. Recessed, double-hung, 1/1 lights are also featured on other sides of the tower.

Virginia Theater:

The Virginia Theater opened for business on December 28, 1921 with a live stage play. On the next night the first movie was shown, and The Virginia has been showing a mix of live and film entertainment ever since.

The building has an architectural style unique to Champaign. It was constructed to resemble an old Italian pavilion, and is faced with blond tile.

The interior of the theater is decorated in the Spanish Renaissance style, complete with busts of Cortez, Hernandez, and Alvarado, along with the coat of arms of Ferdinand & Isabella and many other shields and heraldic symbols. The auditorium features a refurbished Wurlitzer organ.

Champaign City Building:

The Champaign City Building is considered by many to be the finest example in the region of the Art Deco building style so prevalent in the 1920s and 30s. Many of the examples in the latter decade were buildings financed in part or totally by the Federal Government and the City Building is no exception.

Tradition has it that the architectural inspiration for the building was the Los Angeles City Hall, with its distinctive tower, which was completed in the late 1920s.

The exterior of the reinforced concrete building is clad in beige brick with Bedford limestone detailing; the latter enhanced with classic art deco motifs. The square tower portion of the building is topped with a copper clad, pyramidal roof. The roof on the east wing is flat and covered with a synthetic membrane concealed by a parapet.


Locally Designated Historic Districts

There are 2 Locally Designated Historic Districts in the City of Champaign.

Use the swipe arrows in the middle of the slide to see past and present photos of the landmark property. Use the arrow button on the right to move to the next site.

Illinois Central Railroad Historic District

The district consists of seven structures located west of the Illinois Central Railroad Tracks, north of University Avenue and east of Walnut Street.

An example of Beaux Art style, the station was built in 1924 and constructed of concrete faced with brick with cut stone trim. The three-story building has a low hipped, tile roof. The building is symmetrical, divided into five sections.

On the front facade (Chestnut Street facade) the center section is the most prominent part of the building, accented with a large amount of stone work and architectural detailing and containing the porte cochere (covered 'drive-through' in front of the building entrance). The two end sections are identical in form and are also made more prominent using brick pilasters with stone bases and capitals and a taller stone section above the main cornice. The center section and the two end sections are slightly taller than the remainder of the structure, adding to their prominence. The sections of the building to either side of the center section both have arched double-hung windows on the first floor and rectangular double-hung windows on the second floor.

Villard Court Historic District

The Villard Court district consists of six structures: four duplexes (eight units) and two carport structures (three bays each to house six cars) organized as a courtyard development on a private drive off Randolph Street. The structures were built in 1927 by Walter J. Villard, a local contractor and developer on what were, originally, two narrow lots fronting onto Randolph Street. The courtyard is identified with signage on two brick piers flanking the entrance of the private drive. The Courtyard development is the only remaining example in Champaign of a California bungalow court.

The posts and balustrades of the porches vary in style. All porches on Units I - 4, 6 and 8 are adorned with painted ornate ironwork. The porch on Unit 5 combines simple wooden elements with ironwork. The porch on Unit 7 has been enclosed with windows added on the front and sides of the enclosure. The applicants estimate that the ironwork was installed in the 1940s.

The masonry walls of the duplexes are finished with cream-colored stucco accented with randomly placed red bricks (or brick veneers) on the sides of windows and door openings. The same red brick has been used to construct the sills and lintels on all windows and are placed occasionally across the stucco fields of the facades for decoration. Each duplex has a pitched roof with parapets rising from each end. The center of each parapet wall contains a small arched attic vent, also accented with the red brick, adding ornamentation to the side facades.


Closing

Thank you for viewing the City of Champaign's Historic Landmarks Story Map. Below are old photos taken throughout the years.