William Brown Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Brown Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 226–228 S. Main St., Rockford, Illinois |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Part of | West Downtown Rockford Historic District (ID07000899) |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000946 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 2000 |
The William Brown Building is a historic building in Rockford, Illinois, United States. It was finished in 1892. This building is a great example of the Romanesque Revival architecture style in the area. It was one of the last big business buildings built in Rockford for a while. This was between a tough economic time in 1893 and the 1920s.
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What is the History of the William Brown Building?
By the 1890s, the west downtown area of Rockford, Illinois was becoming more important than the east downtown area. A new bridge, the Chestnut Street bridge, helped open up the southern part of Main Street for businesses. We don't know who designed the William Brown Building. However, another building called the Nelson House, built a year later, looks similar. It might have been designed by the same architect, D. S. Shureman.
Who Was William Brown?
The building is named after Judge William Brown. He was a very successful lawyer and politician in Rockford. He passed away while the building was being constructed.
What Businesses Were First in the Building?
The People's Bank of Rockford was the first business to move into the building after it was finished. The Rockford Insurance Company also moved in soon after. For a time, the building also housed the local offices of the Grand Army of the Republic. This group was for soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. They stayed there until the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall was completed.
Why is the William Brown Building Important?
Soon after the building was finished, a difficult economic period known as the Panic of 1893 happened. This stopped new construction in Rockford for many years. Because of its important design, the National Park Service added the William Brown Building to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on August 10, 2000. Later, in 2007, the building was also included as an important part of the West Downtown Rockford Historic District.
