Wagner, Robert, House
Why it's listed
This two-story frame house at 904 23rd Street in Rock Island, Illinois, was designed in 1900 by local architect George P. Stauduhar and built between 1902 and 1904 for brewer Robert Wagner and his wife, Thekla. It sits on a rusticated limestone foundation and is faced with narrow clapboards. A two-story pedimented portico with paired Ionic columns marks the entrance, flanked by balustraded porches and a porte cochere. Inside, the original plan survives, with oak paneling, leaded glass bookcases, a hand-painted parlor frieze dated 1904, and a speaking tube system. A one-car garage at the rear also contributes. The house is significant for its architecture. Stauduhar often used classical details, but nowhere as fully as here, and the result is a clear example of Classical Revival residential design. Wagner led the Rock Island Brewing Company and later held major roles in local banks. The Wagners lived in the house until their deaths in 1937 and 1956.
Significance in brief: It is locally significant under Criterion C as a representative and well-preserved example of Classical Revival residential architecture. It is also one of Stauduhar's most complete uses of classical motifs. Its history is tied to Robert Wagner, a brewery head and banker, though significance under Criterion B is not claimed.
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 90000721, listed May 15, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 904 23rd St., Rock Island |
|---|---|
| County | Rock Island County |
| Listed | May 15, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000721 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1904 |
| Architect / builder | Stauduhar, George P. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owner-occupied single dwelling with minor alterations; the original floor plan and many interior features are retained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Broadway Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.50222, -90.56811 (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 90000721.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7350782
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.