George H. Miller House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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George H. Miller House
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 405 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | George H. Miller |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 78003111 |
| Added to NRHP | July 20, 1978 |
The George H. Miller House is a cool old house located at 405 W. Market Street in Bloomington, Illinois. It was built way back in 1890 by a famous local architect named George H. Miller. He designed this house for himself and his family to live in. This house is special because it shows off a unique mix of styles, especially the Queen Anne design. It's a great example of the kind of beautiful homes built in the late 1800s.
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The George H. Miller House: A Historic Home
The George H. Miller House stands out in Bloomington, Illinois. It's a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture. The house was designed to be both a home and a showcase for Miller's architectural skills. Its unique look makes it an important part of the city's history.
Who Was George H. Miller?
George H. Miller was a very important architect in Bloomington. He was born in 1856 and became well-known for his building designs. After a huge fire in 1900 destroyed much of downtown Bloomington, Miller helped rebuild the city. He designed many new buildings that helped bring the area back to life.
Miller also worked for the United States government. He was the Superintendent of U.S. Buildings. In this role, he designed many federal buildings across the Midwest. This shows how talented and trusted he was as an architect. His own home is a great example of his creative work.
What is Queen Anne Style Architecture?
The George H. Miller House is built in a style called Queen Anne. This architectural style was very popular in the United States during the late 1800s. It's known for being fancy and having lots of different shapes and textures.
Queen Anne houses often look like they're made up of many different parts. They usually have towers, turrets, and porches. You might also see different types of siding, like wood shingles and bricks, all on one house. They are often colorful and have decorative details.
Unique Features of the House
The George H. Miller House is a special version of the Queen Anne style. It has some really cool features:
- Hexagonal Tower: On one corner of the house, there's a tower shaped like a hexagon (a six-sided figure). This adds a unique, castle-like touch.
- Conical Dormer: The roof is made of several parts. A round, cone-shaped window structure, called a dormer, sticks out from the front.
- Arched Entrance: The main front door has a beautiful arch over it. It's also framed by columns, making it look grand and welcoming.
- Recessed Porches: There are small, cozy porches tucked into the house. One is above the main entrance, and another is on the east side.
- Stained Glass Windows: The house has several colorful stained glass windows. One special window near the front door even has Miller's name in it. There's also a large round stained glass window on the west side. These windows add a lot of beauty and light.
Why is This House Special?
The George H. Miller House is considered very important historically. Because of its unique design and its connection to a famous architect, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 20, 1978.
The National Register of Historic Places is a list kept by the United States government. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a building is on this list, it means it's recognized as a special part of our country's heritage. It also helps protect these places for future generations to enjoy.
