Brown, William, Building - Rockford, Illinois - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

"The William Brown Building at 226-228 South Main Street in Rockford, Illinois is ... a locally significant example of Romanesque Revival architecture.  Designed in 1889-91 and completed in  1892 when the economy began to decline, it was one of the last major commercial buildings completed in Rockford before the severe depression of 1893 crippled the town for the remainder of the decade.  The William Brown Building is representative of the Romanesque Revival style that evolved from H.H. Richardson's incorporation of the historical style into a distinctly American style.  It retains the design and detailing that characterize the style, and became typical of many prominent commercial buildings of the early 1890's.  The William Brown Building's significant features of style include its rusticated read stone base surrounding a monumental arched entry, monochromatic smooth red brick facing the upper stories, grouped windows recessed within arches supported by pilasters, and rounded turrets.  Occupying the prominent corner of South Main and Chestnut streets, the William Brown Building location was a result of the increased development on the west side of the river after the construction of the Chestnut Street Bridge.  Designed during a brief flowering of this style before it was subverted the the 1890's depression, it is one of the last remaining significant Romanesque Revival buildings in Rockford.  With the recent rehabilitation of its first story storefronts, the building has excellent integrity, particularly in its exterior detailing and design." - National Register Nomination Form

Street address: 226-228 S. Main St. Rockford, Illinois County / Borough / Parish: Winnebago County Year listed: 2000 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1875-1899 Historic function: Commerce/Trade Current function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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