Twiss, James C., House
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1907 at 298 North Page Street in Aviston, Illinois, this two-and-a-half-story Queen Anne house was designed by architect George F. Barber for James C. Twiss. Its floor plan follows Barber's Design No. 229. The exterior combines clapboard and wood shingle walls, a wraparound porch with Tuscan columns, half-timbered gables, a hexagonal tower bay with a domed cap, and stained glass windows. Inside, the original layout survives, including a reception hall with a tiled fireplace, pocket doors, parquet floors, spindlework, built-in cabinets, brass hardware and decorative cast iron radiators. A butler's pantry and a separate servants' staircase reflect the house's original use. Most other early Aviston homes were modest buildings put up by local carpenters, and many have since been altered or re-sided. This house stayed largely as built. A garage-turned-outbuilding and a gazebo on the lot are not considered historically significant. The house remains a single-family home.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent, relatively unaltered example of a Barber-designed Queen Anne dwelling (Design No. 229). It was larger and more ornate than most Aviston homes, which were built by local carpenters, and many other local homes have been remodeled or covered with siding. It retains original floors, woodwork, built-in cabinets, stained glass and radiators.
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 10000020, listed February 17, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 298 N. Page St., Aviston |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | February 17, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000020 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | George F. Barber (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling; described as well preserved with only minor changes such as a rear storm door, a replica copper finial, and remodeled kitchen and bathroom fixtures. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 38.61125, -89.60587 (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 10000020.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16902199
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.