Bressmer-Baker House
Why it's listed
This brick mansion at 913 South Sixth Street in Springfield began as a two-story Federal-style house built by Hiram Walker around 1853. John Bressmer, a pioneer merchant and founder of a long-running department store, bought it in 1855 and hired architect Thomas Dennis to enlarge it to three stories with an Italianate look. In 1889 lumber businessman William B. Baker bought it and had architect Charles Wesley Shinn remodel it in the Queen Anne style. The remodeling added a copper-faced turret with a dome and spire, dormers, half-timbered gables and porches. Inside are stained glass, oak and cherry woodwork, and a brick and terra cotta fireplace. The house stood on Aristocracy Hill, home to the city's leading residents. It is described as one of the last masonry Queen Anne homes of its size in Springfield and the only surviving residence by Shinn. Restoration work has repaired chimneys, masonry, windows and parlor features, and a brick carriage house remains on the lot.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of the last two known masonry Queen Anne dwellings of its size and quality in Springfield and displays outstanding Queen Anne features. It is also one of the last three known works, and the only remaining residence, of architect Charles Wesley Shinn. It stood on Aristocracy Hill and was owned by leading merchants John Bressmer and William B. Baker.
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 82002599, listed June 29, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 913 6th St., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | June 29, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002599 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1853-1889 |
| Architect / builder | Architects Thomas Dennis and Charles Wesley Shinn; builders John Bressmer and William B. Baker |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne (remodeled 1889); originally Federal style, with an Italianate appearance after 1855 |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked occupied, with work in progress; restoration under way, with the carriage house planned for commercial conversion. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.79189, -89.64836 (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 82002599.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19460655
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.