Phillips, Alfred, House
Also known as: Robert Harder House; Joseph and Jill Trees House
Why it's listed
Built in 1902-1903 at 404 North Melvin Street in Gibson City, Illinois, this two-and-one-half story frame house was designed for Alfred Phillips by Bloomington architect George H. Miller. It sits on a high brick foundation and shows Queen Anne character with classical detailing: clapboard and decorative shingle cladding, beveled-glass windows, a complex hip-and-gable roof with sheet metal cresting, and a full-width classical porch rebuilt in 1997. Inside, the public rooms feature quarter-sawn oak trim, a pedestal colonnade, an ornate staircase and a tiled fireplace with Corinthian columns. The upper floor has cypress woodwork, and service rooms and a maid's room reflect the household's original arrangement. A local newspaper in 1903 called it one of the most beautiful and expensively finished homes in the city. Later owners divided it into apartments, but much original fabric remains. The house was listed for its architectural significance as a well-preserved Queen Anne residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C as a well-preserved example of Queen Anne architecture with classical detailing in Gibson City. It also documents its builder, Alfred Phillips, and its high-quality interior woodwork and original features. The house was described in 1903 as one of the most beautiful and expensively finished homes in the city.
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 99000113, listed February 5, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 404 N. Melvin St., Gibson City |
|---|---|
| County | Ford County |
| Listed | February 5, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000113 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | George H. Miller, architect (Bloomington); foundation work by I.L. Shaw |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single dwelling; the porch was reconstructed in 1997 and the owners are returning the house to its former appearance. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.46908, -88.37037 (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 99000113.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4723289
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.