Hamer, Edward, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1871 at the corner of West Second and North Liberty Streets in Vermont, Illinois, this brick house combines two front-facing gabled blocks, a larger western block holding the entry and a smaller recessed eastern block with cross gables. Italianate details include bracketed cornices, tall narrow segmental-arched windows with keystones and cast iron sills, a four-window polygonal bay, and a hooded entry porch. Steeply pitched gables show some Gothic Revival influence. Inside, a central hall plan, a walnut newel post, turned balusters, shouldered door and window trim, and original built-in shutters survive. A 1920s garage replaced an earlier wood service wing, and a side porch was enclosed in the 1960s, but these changes leave the original character clear. The house was listed for its architecture, as one of only two front-gabled Italianate houses in the village and a well-preserved example of the style. The architect and builder are unknown.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is locally significant under Criterion C as a good example of a front-gabled Italianate residence with some Gothic Revival massing. It is one of two front-gabled Italianate houses in Vermont. It retains excellent exterior and interior integrity despite small additions.
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 96001293, listed November 7, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 200 W. 2nd St., Vermont |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | November 7, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001293 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1871 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single-family dwelling; the form reports excellent integrity despite a 1920s garage and enclosed porch and a 1960s side porch enclosure. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.29674, -90.42918 (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 96001293.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q22034115
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.