Skinner, Richard M., House
Also known as: The House with the Deer
Why it's listed
Built in 1878 at 627 East Peru Street in Princeton, Illinois, this three-story house with a brick basement is known locally as "The House with the Deer," for the cast-iron deer that has stood on its lawn since the 1890s. It was designed by Joseph Plummer Bryant, a Princeton-born architect who trained in Chicago. The house shows Second Empire character through its mansard roof with concave sides, seven dormer windows and a defined central front pavilion, along with Italianate touches such as bracketed eaves. Ornamental veranda moulding was made in West Flushing, Long Island. Inside, the symmetrical plan, oak floors, six fireplaces, shutters and staircase survive. Available evidence suggests this was the first Second Empire home in the area, where other large houses followed Georgian, Gothic, Greek and Colonial Revival styles. A small octagonal garden structure also stands on the grounds. The house was listed for its architectural achievement and its preserved period features.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a notable example of Second Empire domestic architecture with Italianate features. It was the first home of this style in the immediate area, where large homes had mostly been Georgian, Gothic, Greek and Colonial Revival. It was designed by Princeton-born architect Joseph Plummer Bryant.
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 83000302, listed February 10, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 627 E. Peru St., Princeton |
|---|---|
| County | Bureau County |
| Listed | February 10, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000302 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Joseph Plummer Bryant |
| Architectural style | Second Empire, with Italianate features |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, altered, on its original site, and occupied as a private residence; the current owners have restored interior and exterior features. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.37180, -89.45380 (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 83000302.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q24883353
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.