Illinois Traction Building
Also known as: Illinois Power Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1913 at 41 East University Avenue, this three-story building served as the Champaign terminal and office headquarters of the Illinois Traction System, an interurban electric railway network that grew from local streetcar lines. Architect Joseph Royer, known for rustic and heavy styles, produced a lighter design here, with restrained ornament, expressed brick piers and large window openings. White-glazed terra cotta medallions, shields and scroll plates contrast with red brick, giving the facades a sculptural quality unusual in the two cities. It is the only known Royer-designed commercial building in Champaign-Urbana. The traction system later became Illinois Power, which used the building until 1985, long after streetcar service ended in 1936 and interurban service in 1955. Listing recognized it as a surviving piece of Central Illinois transportation and commerce history and as an architecturally distinctive downtown landmark. The exterior remains close to its original appearance, though the cornice, awnings and light fixtures were removed.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a remnant of an important element in the development of Central Illinois transportation and commerce. It also stands apart architecturally from the downtown streetscape and from most of Joseph Royer's work, with creative use of white-glazed terra cotta against red brick.
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 86003782, listed September 20, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 41 E. University Ave., Champaign |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | September 20, 2006 |
| Reference number | 86003782 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Joseph Royer; Builder: Wm. McKinley/Ill. Traction System |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Illinois Power vacated the building in 1985 and it was described as vacant at that time; the exterior is in good condition and largely unaltered, the interior remodelled. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.11602, -88.23335 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 86003782.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18152507
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.