Ayer Public Library
Why it's listed
Ayer Public Library, at 200 Locust Street in Delavan, Illinois, is a one-story Classical Revival building of brick with limestone trim, measuring 42 by 60 feet over a full basement. Aaron T. Simmons of Bloomington designed it, and Ray Lillibridge of Delavan built it in 1914. Limestone forms the foundation, stringcourses, cornice and pediment, and a central entry pavilion faces west. Inside, the main floor keeps its original oak reception desk, carved capitals and mission-style oak furniture. The library traces back to Delavan's temperance heritage. A temperance society's reading room supplied the first collection, and in 1907 Amos K. Ayer proposed a free public library supported by taxes, which voters approved. The library opened in rented rooms above a bank, then received Carnegie funding for a purpose-built home after several years of correspondence. It has served local residents and schools continuously since 1914 and is listed for its role in education, within the Illinois Carnegie Libraries group.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion A for education, because the library has provided books and reading services to Delavan's children, students and residents since 1914. It also meets the registration requirements for the Carnegie Library property type in Illinois. Its founding grew from the town's temperance movement and a 1907 gift by Amos K. Ayer.
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 98001352, listed November 12, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 200 Locust St., Delavan |
|---|---|
| County | Tazewell County |
| Listed | November 12, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001352 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1948 |
| Architect / builder | Simmons, A. T., Architect; Lillibridge, Ray, Builder |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a library; the exterior is described as unchanged except for storm windows and a storm door, and the main floor interior furnishings are largely original. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.37438, -89.54691 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 98001352.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q22033091
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.