Lesem, S.J., Building
Also known as: Quincy Casket Company
Why it's listed
Built in 1871 at the corner of Third and Hampshire streets in Quincy, Illinois, this four-story brick building was constructed for S.J. Lesem Brothers and Company, a dry goods and wholesale firm. It was one of four Italianate commercial buildings on its block, known in 1875 as Wholesale Row, and is the only one still standing. The facade features tall narrow windows, cast iron hoods and pilasters, quoins, and a bracketed cornice with a pediment carved with the company name and date. Over time the building housed a clothing factory and, from 1912 to 1977, the Quincy Casket Company, which remodeled the storefront in the early 1920s. Today a restaurant occupies the lower levels, while the upper floors keep much of their open plan, wooden floors and spindle window trim. It was listed for architecture because it is among the best surviving Italianate commercial buildings in Quincy and retains an unusually complete array of cast iron detail.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the most important examples of an Italianate commercial building in Quincy. It has an extensive set of cast iron elements, including quoins, window hoods, cornice and storefront columns. It is the only survivor of the four Italianate buildings once known as Wholesale Row.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99001377, listed November 22, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 135-37 N 3rd St., Quincy |
|---|---|
| County | Adams County |
| Listed | November 22, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001377 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1871 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; Steinbach Brothers were the contractors |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Basement and first floor house a restaurant and lounge; upper floors largely retain their open interiors, and the belt-driven elevator still works. The storefront was remodeled in the early 1920s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.93496, -91.41223 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99001377.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21016149
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.