William H. Van Epps House
Encyclopedia
The William H. Van Epps House is a historic house in Dixon, Illinois
Dixon, Illinois
Dixon is a city in Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,733 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,941 at the 2000 census. Named for its founder, John Dixon , it is the county seat of Lee County. Located on the Rock River, Dixon was the boyhood home of former U.S...

. It is an example of Italianate architecture. and was constructed around 1855. The Van Epps House was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

 in 1982.

History

The William H. Van Epps House was constructed for William H. Van Epps c. 1855. Van Epps was an early settler, prominent in politics, agriculture, and business who arrived in Dixon in 1854 and stayed until he died in 1877. Presently, the building is occupied by an architectural firm.

Architecture

The Van Epps House is an example of Italianate architecture
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...

, one of several in Dixon. The rectangular house with projecting octagonal bay
Bay (architecture)
A bay is a unit of form in architecture. This unit is defined as the zone between the outer edges of an engaged column, pilaster, or post; or within a window frame, doorframe, or vertical 'bas relief' wall form.-Defining elements:...

s has seen some alterations both interior and exterior, though the front facade is largely unchanged. Around 1900 a rear addition was added and in 1926 the building was converted from a single family dwelling to four apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...

s.

Historic significance

The Van Epps House is an outstanding example of Italianate architecture. It was cited in the 1970s Illinois Historic Sites Survey as significant for that architecture. The house's location, on the Lee County Courthouse Square, helps contribute to the historical character of the neighborhood through its high visibility and unique architectural features. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

 in 1982.

External links

  • William H. Van Epps House, Property Information Report, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
    Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
    The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of Illinois. It is tasked with the duty of maintaining most State-owned historic sites within Illinois, and maximizing their educational and recreational value to visitors....

    , accessed May 16, 2008.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK