Ross, Harvey Lee, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1858 for farmer and businessman Harvey Lee Ross, this two-story frame house sits on the south edge of Vermont, Illinois, and retains the layout and detailing of the Greek Revival style. Its features include a dentiled cornice, cornice returns, corner pilasters, six-over-six windows, a front door with sidelights and transom, and a porch with Doric columns and small Italianate brackets. Inside, a central hall divides parlors and a dining room, with fluted woodwork and a cherry staircase. Rear additions from the late 1800s and early 1900s leave the front and side walls as originally built. The farmstead keeps a summer kitchen and a three-portal barn from the same period, built with mortise, tenon and pegged timbers, plus later sheds, a garage, a privy and a chicken coop. The property was recognized for Ross's part in the village's commercial growth and the arrival of the railroad, and as an intact local example of Greek Revival design with its working farm buildings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion B for Ross's role in Vermont's commercial development and in bringing the Rushville Branch of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad through the village. It also meets Criterion C as one of the best-preserved Greek Revival houses in town, with some Italianate detailing, and for its intact c. 1858 outbuildings reflecting traditional farm construction.
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 96001295, listed November 7, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 602 S. Main St., Vermont |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | November 7, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001295 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1858-c. early 1920s (Criterion C); c. 1858-1873 (Criterion B) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Other: Three-Portal Barn |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition; the property is still a residence and the barn still houses cattle, feed and hay. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.28906, -90.42818 (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 96001295.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19867844
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.