Pelton, Ora, House
Also known as: Izzo-Pelton House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1889 on the bluffs above the Fox River in Elgin, this three-story frame house at 214 South State Street was commissioned by Dr. Ora A. Pelton, Sr., a respected physician in Elgin and Kane County. Contractor and architect Gilbert M. Turnbull designed it, and a carriage house followed in 1890. The exterior blends Stick Style and Eastlake detailing, with varied rooflines, towers, projecting gables, sculptured chimneys, a porte cochere and a Moorish keyhole arch on the second-floor balcony. Inside, an oak staircase, a stained glass skylight, inlaid parquet flooring and a different wood for each room survive in excellent condition. Only a sympathetic 1920s one-story addition has changed the exterior. Most neighboring houses along South State Street have been converted, heavily altered or demolished, which leaves this property as the best-preserved example of the style there. Ownership by just two families helped preserve it, and its setting still looks over the Fox River and downtown Elgin.
Significance in brief: It is described as the best-preserved and most significant example of Stick/Eastlake architecture among the few remaining houses along the South State Street corridor. Its exterior and interior remain largely unaltered, and it has had only two owning families. It also shows the elaborate wood ornamentation of local architect Gilbert M. Turnbull, whose other work was more utilitarian.
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 82002548, listed August 12, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 214 S. State St., Elgin |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | August 12, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002548 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Gilbert M. Turnbull |
| Architectural style | Stick Style and Eastlake (High Victorian) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition, and used as a private residence; the original site is retained and a sympathetic 1920s one-story addition exists. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.03029, -88.28370 (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 82002548.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7099201
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.