Newcomb, Richard F., House
Also known as: Newcomb-Stillwell House
Why it's listed
Built in 1890-1891 at 1601 Maine Street in Quincy, Illinois, this three-story mansion was commissioned by Richard F. Newcomb and designed by local architect Harvey Chatten with Ernest M. Wood. Its massive Indiana limestone walls, carved leafy ornament, copper trim and red tile roof reflect the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The interior is finished in oak, birch, mahogany, cherry, sycamore and butternut, with carved mantels, ceramic tile, gold leaf accents, and stained and beveled glass windows. A grand staircase rises through the center of the house. The home stands on two and one-half acres in what was Quincy's most prominent residential area, near other notable houses. It was built when Quincy was a booming commercial city, and Newcomb reportedly wanted to employ local architects and craftsmen. Later used as a college dormitory, it became home to the Quincy and Adams County Museum, which planned to restore its original character.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as an outstanding example of Romanesque Revival architecture, built when Quincy was a booming commercial center. It sits at the city's most important architectural intersection and shows the work of local architects Harvey Chatten and Ernest M. Wood. Its carved woods, stained glass and stone ornament are largely intact.
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 82002516, listed June 3, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1601 Maine St., Quincy |
|---|---|
| County | Adams County |
| Listed | June 3, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002516 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Harvey Chatten, Ernest M. Wood |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque / Romanesque Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as the Quincy and Adams County Museum; condition listed as excellent, with a restoration plan to remove later partitions and paint and to replace a removed porch. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Within district | Quincy East End Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.93240, -91.39005 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 82002516.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20858152
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.