Starr Hotel
Also known as: Custer Hotel; Shafer Hotel
Why it's listed
Built in 1888 by George M. Custer, this three-story brick hotel at 1913-1923 Western Avenue in Mattoon stood only steps from the railroad tracks. Its 37 small rooms were meant for Illinois Central and Big Four crews waiting between runs. A two-story wing added in 1900 held a restaurant and more hotel rooms. Mattoon grew up where railroads crossed, and the hotel also served seasonal broomcorn workers, factory job seekers and hoboes. Western Avenue was a rough, working-class commercial street. Cast iron storefronts made by the Mesker Company, tin-pan ceilings, original woodwork and Italianate door frames survive. Later changes include a 1940s fire escape, a 1960s elevator shaft and altered storefronts on the addition. The upper floors have been closed since the 1960s, while shops occupy the street level. The hotel is listed for its role in local commerce from 1888 to 1944, and it is one of only two historic hotels left in the city.
Significance in brief: The hotel is argued to be locally significant under Criterion A for commerce, from 1888 to 1944. It housed railroad crews on layovers in a town created by the railroads at the crossing of three major lines. It is one of only two historic hotels still standing in Mattoon.
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 94000975, listed August 16, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1913--1923 Western Ave., Mattoon |
|---|---|
| County | Coles County |
| Listed | August 16, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000975 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888-1944 |
| Architect / builder | George M. Custer (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Upper hotel floors were closed in the 1960s and have been vacant since; the ground floor holds several small businesses. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.48298, -88.37894 (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.
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 94000975.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16900671
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.