Small-Towle House
Why it's listed
Located at 515 County Road in Wilmington, Illinois, this wood-frame house on a cut limestone foundation was built in two phases between about 1864 and 1869. It follows the Upright-and-Wing form, with a two-story gable-front section joined to a lower side wing. A full-height angled bay and a wide band of trim under the eaves reflect Greek Revival influence, while paired brackets, a glazed-panel door and the bay window reflect Italianate taste. The brackets carry egg-shaped finials, which earned it the local nickname the Egg House. William McGinnis bought the lot in 1864 and built the house. Later owners included Wilmington's first mayor, John H. Daniels, and then the Small and Towle families, for whom it is named. A kitchen and bath added in the 1920s were the largest change. The house is recognized as the most intact local example of this popular nineteenth-century housing type.
Significance in brief: It is locally significant under Criterion C as the best surviving example in Wilmington of the Upright-and-Wing house type. It retains a high level of integrity with only minor alterations, mostly inside. Its details reflect the transition between Greek Revival and Italianate styles.
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 04000419, listed May 12, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 515 County Rd., Wilmington |
|---|---|
| County | Will County |
| Listed | May 12, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000419 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1864-ca. 1869 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (the narrative says the house was built by William McGinnis) |
| Architectural style | Other: Upright and Wing, with Greek Revival and Italianate detailing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with a high level of historic integrity; still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.31085, -88.14187 (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 04000419.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7543725
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.