Fisher Building-Latham Block
Why it's listed
Two three-story brick commercial buildings stand side by side on the west side of North Sixth Street in downtown Springfield, just north of the public square. The Latham Block, built in 1856, kept its original upper floors, with evenly spaced windows topped by pedimented cast-iron hoods and a later metal cornice. The Fisher Building was erected in the same 1850s building boom, but its facade was rebuilt about 1900 in Classical Revival style, with a two-story bay window, limestone bands and a modillioned cornice. Around 1912 its storefront was recessed to house the Amuse-U Theatre, and both ground floors were modernized in the late 1960s. Interior doorways link the two buildings, which is why they count as one resource. They were listed for architecture: the Latham Block as a typical speculative business building with classical details, and the Fisher Building as an example of the more ornate style that followed the Columbian Exposition. Many upper rooms are vacant.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the pair is significant under architectural criteria. The Latham Block is a good example of a speculative commercial building with classical-inspired elements, notably its cast-iron pedimented window hoods. The Fisher Building shows the later, more elaborate Classical Revival style adopted in Springfield after the Columbian Exposition, applied through its circa 1900 facade change.
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 00000411, listed April 28, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 111, 113, and 115 N. Sixth St., Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Sangamon County |
| Listed | April 28, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000411 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1856-1900 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century / Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Much of the upper floors and several ground-floor spaces are described as vacant and awaiting renovation; one first-floor space at 115 North Sixth houses a currency exchange business. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Central Springfield Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.79948, -89.64771 (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 00000411.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19461755
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.