West Side Historic District
Also known as: See Also:Copley, Col. Ira C., Mansion; Healy Chapel
Why it's listed
West Side Historic District is a residential neighborhood in Aurora, Illinois, roughly three blocks west of the Fox River and beside downtown. It is organized around Downer Place and the streets that cross it, between Lake Street and Highland Avenue, and between Galena Boulevard and Garfield Avenue. The district holds 96 structures, and about 79 percent contribute to its historic character. Most are single-family houses built between 1856 and 1922 on tree-lined streets that keep their original widths. Queen Anne is the most common style, followed by Italianate and Colonial Revival, with Shingle, Neo-Classical Revival, English Period Revival and Prairie School examples also present. Notable buildings include a brick Second Empire house and large Neo-Classical Revival homes with columned porticos. The area was developed as one of Aurora's most prestigious neighborhoods and has remained one of its most desirable places to live. Boundaries exclude commercial strips and altered areas, so the district keeps its cohesive residential identity.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the district as one of Aurora's most prestigious and impressive neighborhoods, and as the largest and most cohesive group of mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century homes in the city. It shows a wide range of architectural styles, with Queen Anne, Italianate and Colonial Revival the most common. Seventy-nine percent of the structures contribute to its character.
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 86001484, listed August 13, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly bounded by W. Downer Pl., Lake St., Garfield Ave., and S. Highland St., Aurora |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | August 13, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001484 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1856-1922 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Italianate, Colonial Revival, with Shingle, Neo-Classical Revival, English Period Revival and Prairie School examples |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mostly occupied private residences, with some commercial and religious use; 79 percent of structures contribute, 13 percent are non-contributing and 8 percent are intrusions built after 1945. |
| Acreage | 46.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.74944, -88.32872 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 86001484.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7986510
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.