Cox, George H., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1886 at 701 East Grove Street in Bloomington, this two-and-a-half story Queen Anne residence was designed by local architect George H. Miller for George H. Cox, a member of an early McLean County family and a manager at the Hungarian Roller Mill Company. The house combines a dark red brick first story with shingled and clapboard upper levels, an octagonal tower, a wraparound porch, carved limestone and more than 100 windows, many with stained glass. Construction cost about $20,000. It was listed for its architecture. The nomination calls it a fine example of Miller's residential work and a well preserved example of the elaborate Queen Anne houses wealthy Bloomingtonians built in the 1880s and 1890s, most of which have since been lost. Inside, original features include parquet floors, tiled fireplaces, plaster ceilings and a tall stairwell. Its original methane well equipment and ventilation design also reflect the technology of its time.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a particularly fine example of Bloomington architect George Miller's residential work. It is also a very well preserved example of the large, custom-designed Queen Anne houses built by wealthy residents in the 1880s and 1890s. It incorporated the newest features of its day, such as indoor plumbing, gas-and-electric lighting, a methane well, steam heat and convection ventilation.
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 85002838, listed November 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 701 E. Grove St., Bloomington |
|---|---|
| County | McLean County |
| Listed | November 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002838 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | George H. Miller, Architect; J. H. McGregor, brick contractor |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied, with rehabilitation in progress; exterior largely intact except for new roofing, and two apartments were built on the third floor. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.47781, -88.98564 (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 85002838.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5540017
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.