Greenlee, Robert, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1884 at 806 North Evans Street in Bloomington, this two-story Queen Anne house was the home of Robert Greenlee, a prominent local contractor and carpenter who arrived in the city in 1856. The frame house has a cross-shaped plan, a hipped roof with cross gables, a brick foundation and wood clapboard siding. Its most unusual feature is a set of cornice brackets whose profiles resemble dragons or Chinese fu dogs, paired with a bellcast roofline that suggests a pagoda. These reflect the Anglo-Japanese fashion of the 1880s. Eastlake spindlework, bullseye friezes and carved blocks decorate the front dormer and windows, and the double front doors and main staircase newel post appear to be custom work. Inside, original hardwood floors, fireplaces and a built-in china cabinet survive. Architect H. A. Miner, Greenlee's brother-in-law and former partner, may have supplied the design or millwork. The house was listed for its architecture and its link to a local builder.
Significance in brief: The house is a notable example of Queen Anne architecture with Eastlake and Anglo-Japanese detailing, including distinctive Oriental-style cornice brackets and a bellcast roofline. Much of the millwork appears custom-made and has no known counterpart in the community. It is also tied to Greenlee, a prominent local builder, and possibly to architect H. A. Miner.
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 97000033, listed February 7, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 806 N. Evans St., Bloomington |
|---|---|
| County | McLean County |
| Listed | February 7, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000033 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Robert Greenlee, builder; H. A. Miner possibly involved as architect or millwork supplier (not confirmed) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne with Eastlake and Anglo-Japanese detailing |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in residential use as a single-family dwelling; exterior altered by a c. 1920 Craftsman front porch, removal of a west porch, and replacement of the slate roof with asphalt shingles. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.48517, -88.98727 (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 97000033.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7344939
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.