Will County's Historic Landmarks
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Historic Landmark Registry - Small-Towle House |
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The Small-Towle House is locally significant for its architecture as an excellent example of an Upright and Wing residence. Although several homes were constructed in a similar fashion throughout the Town of Wilmington during the late 1800s, the Small-Towle house is the best surviving example, providing an accurate record of a popular historic housing type. With only minor alterations, primarily to the interior of the home, the building retains a high level of integrity. The period of significance is circa 1864, when the lot was first developed as a residential property, through circa 1869 when the two-story gable was added.
The Small-Towle House first underwent construction in the mid-1860s and was originally built as a one-story side-gabled residence. The name of the house is taken from the two families who occupied the home for the greatest length of time. William McGinnis, who bought the lot in 1864 for $175, built the house. He built the 1 ½ story house and sold it in November of 1869 for $1,900. The house had two owners, including John H. Daniels (Wilmington’s first mayor) before the Small family purchased it, who owned the property from 1870 through 1883. Mr. Small’s son married the daughter of William McGinnis at the same time he purchased the house (June of 1870). The Smalls sold it to a member of the Towle family. The second family owned the home for fifty years, until it was sold for $1.00 in 1933. According to the deed, the sale in 1933 to Bertha McQueen was in exchange for the care of Julia Towle, presumably an elderly relative who was responsible for the house during that time.
The Small-Towle House was designated a Will County Landmark on October 21, 2004.
(This landmark is located on private property and permission must be granted by the property owner to view the house in its entirety.)
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