Robinwood
Also known as: Miller, George H., House
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Why it's listed
Robinwood is a two-and-a-half-story house at 208 Arlington in Elmhurst, Illinois, designed in 1908 by New Jersey architect Joy Wheeler Dow for Chicago businessman George H. Miller and his wife Bernice. Built of hand-cut Indiana limestone with brick and wood detailing, it has a single sweeping gable, deep eaves, leaded-glass casement windows, bay windows and Flemish-topped dormers. A walled forecourt with a wrought iron gate fronts the house. Inside, red oak wainscot, beamed ceilings and Renaissance-style woodwork remain. The design drew on Dow's earlier "Princessgate" house in New Jersey and mixes several revival styles. It is listed for its architecture, as a local example of the period's historical revivals and of Dow's wish to create homes suited to educated middle-class suburban families. It contrasts with the nearby houses of Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin. Only two families have lived in it, and it remains largely unaltered.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine local example of the revival styles and architectural movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries under Criterion C. It reflects Dow's aim to build houses that "express history" and carry an "Anglo-Saxon home feeling." It is unusual for combining several revival styles, and it survives largely intact.
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 03001463, listed January 21, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 208 Arlington, Elmhurst |
|---|---|
| County | DuPage County |
| Listed | January 21, 2004 |
| Reference number | 03001463 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1908 |
| Architect / builder | Dow, Joy Wheeler |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century Revivals; Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements; Other: English Cottage Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling; described as remarkably intact and exceptionally well cared for, with only minor exterior and interior alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.89701, -87.93728 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 03001463.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7353160
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.