Discover 7 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Decatur (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Decatur Downtown Historic District, James Millikin House, and Decatur Historic District. Also, be sure to include Overlook Adventure Park in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Decatur (Illinois).
Table of Contents
Decatur Downtown Historic District
Historical place in Decatur, Illinois. The Decatur Downtown Historic District is a historic commercial district located in downtown Decatur, Illinois. The district includes 75 buildings, 61 of which are considered significant or contributing to its historic character. While downtown Decatur was platted in 1829, it did not experience significant commercial development until 1854, when two railroads built lines through the city; all but one of the district's contributing buildings were built between 1854 and 1916. The district includes many of the commercial buildings which were built in the economic boom following the railroad's construction. These buildings represent several popular commercial architectural styles of the period, including Classical Revival, Italianate, Romanesque, and Chicago School. The district also includes several sites connected to Abraham Lincoln's legal and political career.
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 9, 1985.[1]
James Millikin House
Museum. The James Millikin House is a historic house located at 125 N. Pine St. in Decatur, Illinois. The house was built in 1876 for James Millikin, a wealthy Decatur businessman who later founded Millikin University. The house has a towered Italianate design which has been called the "most imposing Victorian remnant" in Decatur. A mansard roof on the tallest tower provides a Second Empire influence to the design. The house's interior decorations include colored marble fireplaces, art glass windows, and a fresco above the main staircase.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1974. Millikin University currently owns the house, which is open to the public as a museum.[2]
Address: 125 N Pine St, 62522-2358 Decatur
Decatur Historic District
Historical place in Decatur, Illinois. The Decatur Historic District is a residential historic district in the Millikin Heights neighborhood of Decatur, Illinois. The district encompasses the city's historic Near West and Southwest neighborhoods and was formed beginning in the 1850s and continuing through the 1920s. Nearly all of the popular architectural styles from this period are represented in the district. A number of professional architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, designed homes in the district, giving it exceptionally high-quality architecture. The earlier houses mainly have Italianate designs; several Gothic Revival buildings from this period are also included. The Queen Anne and Classical Revival styles were popular in houses built in the late 19th century, though Romanesque and Tudor Revival houses were also designed in this period. The early 20th century brought the district the Colonial Revival style and several independent styles associated with the more prominent architects such as Wright.
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1976.[3]
Overlook Adventure Park
Mini golf, Relax in park, Park
Address: 2501 Nelson Park Rd, 62521-3100 Decatur
Transfer House
Building in Decatur, Illinois. The Transfer House is a historic building located in Central Park in Decatur, Illinois. Built in 1896, the building originally served as a transfer point for Decatur's electric streetcar system. Architect William W. Boyington's design for the building was influenced by a number of Victorian styles, particularly the Richardsonian Romanesque. The building was ultimately moved to Central Park and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]
West End Historic District
The West End Historic District is a residential historic district located in western Decatur, Illinois. The district, which was primarily built in the first half of the 20th century, includes over 1,700 contributing buildings. The West End was a popular neighborhood for Decatur's business owners and managers at its large industries, and the majority of its residents came from upper-middle class occupations; however, the district also had many working-class residents. A diverse array of architecture is featured in the district; twenty-three different architectural styles and twelve vernacular types are represented in its homes. The Dutch Colonial Revival and American Craftsman styles are the most prevalent, along with the latter's related vernacular type, the bungalow; the English Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie School, and Georgian Revival styles also had a significant influence on the district's character.
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 27, 2002.[5]
Millikin University
Private university in Decatur, Illinois. Millikin University is a private university in Decatur, Illinois. It was founded in 1901 by prominent Decatur businessman James Millikin and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.[6]
Address: 1184 West Main Street, Decatur