Fletcher, Ruffin Drew, House
Also known as: Dicus,George Allen,M.D.,House; Dicus House Bed and Breakfast
Why it's listed
Built in 1890 at 609 East Broadway Street in Streator, this two-story frame house is an example of the Victorian Stick style. The Chicago, Wilmington and Vermillion Coal Company built it for Ruffin D. Fletcher, its local superintendent. In 1900 the house was sold to Dr. George Dicus, and his daughter lived there until 1989. The house has a shallow hipped roof with projecting gables, curved brackets, canted bay windows and Stick decoration. Inside are six marble fireplaces, three sets of pocket doors, mahogany woodwork and original bath fixtures. A coach house and wash house, also from 1890, stand behind it. Changes include a replaced front porch in 1914 and a removed rooftop balustrade. The nomination values the house as a well-preserved architectural example. It also reflects the lifestyle of Streator's upper middle class in a city where many of the grand East Broadway homes have been demolished.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a representative example of Victorian Stick architecture under Criterion C. Its exterior and interior retain original details, including early electric and bath fixtures. These show the status and lifestyle of Streator's upper middle class. It is one of few architecturally significant homes to survive from the era along East Broadway.
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 91001000, listed August 5, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 609 E. Broadway St., Streator |
|---|---|
| County | LaSalle County |
| Listed | August 5, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91001000 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Stick |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as retaining virtually all its authenticity; the coach house is in poor condition with termite damage, and the wash house has some wood rot. The form lists current functions as single dwelling and hotel (bed and breakfast). |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.12637, -88.82782 (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 91001000.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7377920
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.