Greek Revival Cottage
Also known as: Workman's Cottage
Why it's listed
Built probably about 1860, this small Greek Revival cottage in Urbana, Illinois, is described as the last known residential example of its style in Champaign-Urbana and possibly in Champaign County. It resembles a workingman's model cottage illustrated in A.J. Downing's 1850 book on country houses. A small rectangular portico with square wooden pillars and a dentiled pediment dominates the street side. The main block measures 37 by 30 feet, with a rear wing added later. Original mortise-and-tenon doors, dog-ear door moldings, some window paneling and original glass survive, though asbestos shingles cover the clapboard. Evidence for the date includes land values, an 1869 bird's-eye map showing the wing, and locks bearing an 1866 patent date. Facing demolition for a parking lot, the cottage was moved in 1977 to Leal Park, Urbana's oldest park, and given to the Champaign County Historical Museum for restoration as a preservation resource center.
Significance in brief: It is described as the last known residential example of Greek Revival architecture in Champaign-Urbana and possibly in Champaign County, where the style is extremely rare. Because the county was not widely settled until the 1850s, buildings from that period carry local historical importance. The move saved it from demolition for a parking lot.
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 77000473, listed October 20, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 300 W. University Ave., Urbana |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | October 20, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000473 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1860 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in May 1977 to Leal Park to avoid demolition; condition described as sound; planned restoration for use as a historic preservation resource center. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.11591, -88.21035 (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 77000473.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18151057
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.