Stolp Woolen Mill Store
Why it's listed
Standing on Stolp Island in downtown Aurora, this two-story brick building was put up in 1860-61 by Joseph G. Stolp as a free-standing salesroom for his Aurora Woolen Mill. Stolp began carding and dressing wool on the island in 1837 and built a brick mill there in 1849. After the mill closed in 1887, tenants including a watchmakers' tools producer and a decorating firm occupied the store. In 1889 Stolp had builder E.D. Briggs add a front extension, which survives on the Downer Place side with an oriel bay, limestone sills and lintels, and decorative brick piers. The mill itself burned in 1906, and Stolp's house has been demolished, leaving this store as the most important surviving structure linked to him. Its early date and 1889 addition show the island's change from industry to commerce and government. Modern storefronts have replaced the original ground-floor fronts, but enough detail remains to convey its history.
Significance in brief: It is one of the oldest surviving buildings on Stolp Island and the most significant remaining structure tied to woolen mill founder Joseph Stolp, a key figure in Aurora's history. It is a visible reminder of the island's early industrial development, and its 1889 extension reflects the shift to commercial and governmental uses. Despite modern storefronts, it retains enough integrity to convey its significance.
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 83000319, listed September 1, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2 W. Downer Pl., Aurora |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | September 1, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000319 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | 1860-61: Unknown; 1889: E.D. Briggs (builder); L.H. Waterhouse (contracting mason for 1889 work) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition; altered with modern wood and glass storefronts and painted yellow. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Stolp Island Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.75702, -88.31648 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 83000319.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7618680
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.