Robinson-Bonnett Inn
Also known as: Bonnett Inn
Why it's listed
Built around 1843 by John Bonnett for the Robinson family, this two-story, L-shaped brick inn sits on Whites Crossing Road in Bobtown, about eight miles northwest of Petersburg. It is the only building left of the pioneer settlement once called Robinson's Mills, apart from a large barn across the road. The walls are 13 inches thick, made of soft red brick fired on the site. Federal and Greek Revival features include symmetrical windows, interior end chimneys, and a central doorway with sidelights and a transom. Inside, the plan has three large rooms per floor, a central hall, and four segmental-arched fireplaces. The inn served customers of the early mill and travelers on routes from Springfield to Beardstown and possibly Lewistown. It is described as one of the few early Illinois inns still standing, a family dwelling also used as a tavern, and the only known surviving example in Menard County. Once used as an inn, it is now a private home under rehabilitation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the inn reflects early transportation, commerce and architecture in Illinois. It served customers of an early grist and saw mill and travelers between Springfield and Beardstown, and likely Lewistown. It is one of the few surviving early inns in Illinois and the only known remaining example in Menard County, with Federal and Greek Revival features.
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 90001198, listed August 3, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Whites Crossing Rd. E of Clary Cr., Bobtown |
|---|---|
| County | Menard County |
| Listed | August 3, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001198 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1843-1872 (Transportation); 1843-1880 (Commerce); 1843 (Architecture) |
| Architect / builder | John Bonnett (builder) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic - Federal; Mid 19th Century - Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now a single dwelling; being rehabilitated by new owners at the time of nomination. Porches no longer remain. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.07539, -89.98857 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 90001198.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14688056
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.