O'Connell, Daniel, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1928 at the corner of North Union and East Third Streets in Vermont, Illinois, this two-story frame house follows the Four Square type, with a nearly square shape, hipped roof and open interior plan. A wood-framed two-car garage from the same year stands to the southeast. Banker and former lumber yard owner Daniel O'Connell commissioned the house after selling his lumber business, hiring local contractor Fred Rankin, with Harvey Brinton handling the masonry. A one-story sun room and vestibule extension at the front gives a variation on the usual porch massing. Craftsman touches include massive brick piers, wide overhanging eaves, French doors, a brick fireplace flanked by built-in shelving, a stair bench and a dining room sideboard. The house was recognized for architecture because it illustrates the Four Square type with Craftsman and some Prairie influences, and it is one of several Four Square houses in the village.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good local example of the Four Square type with Craftsman features, meeting Criterion C for architecture. Its original sun room and vestibule extension varies the type and echoes a front porch. Massive brick piers, horizontal emphasis and interior built-ins show the Craftsman influence.
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 96001288, listed November 7, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 115 N. Union St., Vermont |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | November 7, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001288 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928 |
| Architect / builder | Rankin, Fred, Builder; Brinton, Harvey, Mason |
| Architectural style | Other: Four Square; Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a single dwelling in current use; the form notes the dining room French doors were being revarnished after water damage. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.29532, -90.42618 (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 96001288.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q24041135
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.