Brookner, Christopher, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1861-2 at 222 North Dixon Avenue in Dixon, Illinois, this two-story brick and frame house was the work of Christopher Brookner, an immigrant carpenter and one of the town's earliest settlers. It is best described as simple Italianate, with a low hipped roof, bracketed cornice, L-shaped plan, floor-to-ceiling parlor windows and a long low wooden piazza with slender columns. Twelve-pane windows, plain stone and flat-arch lintels and a sidelighted entry add Federal and Greek Revival touches. The brick is unpainted, and exterior changes have been slight; an early frame addition, a shed, a new chimney and a roof over one door are the main alterations. Only three families have owned it, and it has always been a dwelling. It was listed because it is one of the best preserved and least modified houses of its era in Dixon, and because its porch is considered the finest example of its type in the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the best preserved and least modified houses of its period in Dixon, with an unpainted brick exterior and nearly unchanged details. It is a simple Italianate house with Federal and Greek Revival touches. Its low wooden piazza with slender columns is described as the best example of that porch type in Dixon.
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 84000319, listed November 13, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 222 N. Dixon Ave., Dixon |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | November 13, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000319 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Christopher Brookner 1817-1879 |
| Architectural style | Simple Italianate, with Federal and Greek Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and altered; it has always been a dwelling, sometimes two units, and is currently rented to two tenants. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.88505, -89.47143 (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 84000319.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q43148396
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.