Illinois Traction Building

Coordinates: 40°6′58″N 88°14′0″W / 40.11611°N 88.23333°W / 40.11611; -88.23333
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Illinois Traction Building
Illinois Traction Building is located in Illinois
Illinois Traction Building
Illinois Traction Building is located in the United States
Illinois Traction Building
Location41 E. University Ave., Champaign, Illinois
Coordinates40°6′58″N 88°14′0″W / 40.11611°N 88.23333°W / 40.11611; -88.23333
Arealess than one acre
Built1913 (1913)
Built byMcKinley, William B.
ArchitectRoyer, Joseph
NRHP reference No.86003782[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 20, 2006

The Illinois Traction Building, located at 41 E. University Ave. in

Illinois Power Company, which descended from the Illinois Traction System. Architect Joseph Royer planned the building in a contemporary commercial design. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 20, 2006.[1]

History

The Illinois Traction System was established by

St. Louis, Missouri. The company built the Illinois Traction Building in 1913 to replace its previous Champaign station; the new building had a central location and office space for the company. In 1928, the Illinois Traction System became part of the Illinois Terminal Railroad; its utility division became the Illinois Power and Light Company and maintained offices in the Traction Building. Streetcar service to the building ended in 1936, when a new owner replaced the lines with bus service; while interurban trains continued to serve Champaign, they stopped at a different station. The building continued to house the utility company, which became known as the Illinois Power Company, until it moved to a different building in 1985.[2]

Architecture

Architect Joseph Royer designed the Illinois Traction Building in a contemporary commercial style. The building was a departure from Royer's previous work, which was primarily done in rustic or massive styles such as

terra cotta detailing. Four piers divide the three-bay front facade; the two side bays are slightly bowed. Terra cotta medallions top each pier, and scrolled shields on the piers mark the top of the first floor. The windows on each floor feature terra cotta sills and lintels. The building's original terra cotta cornice has been replaced by a white brick pediment.[2]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Lambert, Michael A. (September 1, 1985). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Illinois Traction Building" (PDF). National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2014.

External links