W.E. White Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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W.E. White Building
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 100 N. Main St., Stockton, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | Schroeder, Peter |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001339 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1997 |
The W.E. White Building is a special old building in downtown Stockton, Illinois. It was built in 1897 and has a unique design called the Queen Anne style. A local builder named Peter Schroeder designed and constructed it. This building is so important that it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it's officially recognized as a place worth preserving because of its history and design.
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Why the W.E. White Building is Important
The W.E. White Building is a great example of how Stockton, Illinois, rebuilt itself after a big fire in 1896. It shows the hope and effort people put into making their town strong again. The building stands out in downtown Stockton because of its beautiful and detailed design. It's one of the most decorated buildings there.
A Look Back: The Building's History
The W.E. White Building was built in 1897. Many new buildings went up in downtown Stockton after a large fire in 1896. Before the White Building, William and Mary O'Rourke had a wooden store on the same spot. This store sold many different goods. Mary O'Rourke also became the town's first postmaster, and her store became Stockton's first post office.
In August 1897, a part of the O'Rourke's land was sold to Wilbur E. White. He paid $3,500 for it. Mr. White then moved the old post office and store to the back of the lot. He hired Peter Schroeder, who was a local architect and builder, to design and build the new W.E. White Building.
The Unique Look: Queen Anne Architecture
The W.E. White Building is a good example of the Queen Anne style from the late 1800s. This style was very popular for homes and businesses back then.
The building is made of red brick. It is about 25 feet wide and 90 feet long. It sits on a corner in downtown Stockton. The main entrance is placed diagonally on one corner, which is a common feature in Queen Anne buildings.
The building has many cool features that show the Queen Anne style:
- A round, cone-shaped tower called a turret that sticks out.
- A metal-covered window that also sticks out, called an oriel bay.
- Fancy decorated triangles above windows or doors, called pediments.
- A decorative top piece shaped like a cannonball, called a finial.
You can also see some older, more classic design ideas on the building. These include decorations that look like garlands (flower chains), classic columns, and designs shaped like acanthus leaves. These details show a mix of styles that was common at the time.
Official Recognition
The W.E. White Building was officially added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1997. This listing helps protect the building and highlights its importance in history and architecture.
